2017 Goals
Launch Baltimore Student Internship Program
Building on the success of the 2016 Maryvale Internship Program, we developed a broader initiative that provides opportunities for additional Baltimore-area high school students to engage in meaningful service to VISEDAL scholars while also honing their leadership skills. In addition, the program helps students learn about nonprofit operations, develop relationships with VISEDAL scholars, and prepare for a potential trip to Nicaragua. We will invite select schools to participate in 2017.
SMART Goal: Partner with Maryvale and one additional school by December 31, 2017.
Building on the success of the 2016 Maryvale Internship Program, we developed a broader initiative that provides opportunities for additional Baltimore-area high school students to engage in meaningful service to VISEDAL scholars while also honing their leadership skills. In addition, the program helps students learn about nonprofit operations, develop relationships with VISEDAL scholars, and prepare for a potential trip to Nicaragua. We will invite select schools to participate in 2017.
SMART Goal: Partner with Maryvale and one additional school by December 31, 2017.
Establish Fundraising and Volunteer Partnerships in Nicaragua
Our staff will pursue partnerships with local universities, government agencies, companies, and individuals in Nicaragua. For example, we would love to have volunteers lead sessions on topics such as sexual education, drug abuse, and women's rights.
SMART Goal: Establish two partnerships in Nicaragua by December 31, 2017.
Switch from Providing Food Stipends to Actual Food Bundles
Since our founding, we have provided a monthly food stipend to each scholar. In 2017, we will switch to providing actual bundles of food to each scholar. We are making this change to prevent misuse of food stipends and to buy food items in bulk at reduced prices. Our College Scholars will assist in preparing the food bundles.
SMART Goal: Switch to providing food bundles by March 1, 2017.
Our staff will pursue partnerships with local universities, government agencies, companies, and individuals in Nicaragua. For example, we would love to have volunteers lead sessions on topics such as sexual education, drug abuse, and women's rights.
SMART Goal: Establish two partnerships in Nicaragua by December 31, 2017.
Switch from Providing Food Stipends to Actual Food Bundles
Since our founding, we have provided a monthly food stipend to each scholar. In 2017, we will switch to providing actual bundles of food to each scholar. We are making this change to prevent misuse of food stipends and to buy food items in bulk at reduced prices. Our College Scholars will assist in preparing the food bundles.
SMART Goal: Switch to providing food bundles by March 1, 2017.
Increase U.S. Corporate and Individual Fundraising Capabilities
We are increasing our focus on financially partnering with companies and individuals in the United States. Members of our board of directors will develop a strategic plan, including communications materials, to reach new potential donors. While we will continue our successful delectable treat fundraising sales, we believe emphasizing direct donations will lead to more efficient fundraising efforts.
SMART Goals:
We are increasing our focus on financially partnering with companies and individuals in the United States. Members of our board of directors will develop a strategic plan, including communications materials, to reach new potential donors. While we will continue our successful delectable treat fundraising sales, we believe emphasizing direct donations will lead to more efficient fundraising efforts.
SMART Goals:
- Members of our board of directors will develop new ideas, including communications materials, to reach new potential donors, by December 31, 2017.
- Raise $12,000 through our Fiesta fundraiser in November 2017. As part of these efforts, recruit 2+ corporate sponsors for the event.
Foster Deeper Relationships with Our Scholars' Parents
We recognize the importance of our scholars' parents in our scholars' lives. We will strengthen our relationships with VISEDAL parents to increase our understanding of each scholar's situation, which will allow us to better tailor our support. In addition, we want to help VISEDAL parents increase their commitment to helping their children succeed.
SMART Goal: Establish regular parent-focused sessions with staff by December 31, 2017.
Add to Our Board of Directors
We are looking to add a few individuals to our board, as a handful of directors rotated off the board in recent periods. We aim to recruit people who are passionate about helping youth succeed and whose skills and experience could advance our mission.
SMART Goal: Add 2–3 new board members by July 2017.
We recognize the importance of our scholars' parents in our scholars' lives. We will strengthen our relationships with VISEDAL parents to increase our understanding of each scholar's situation, which will allow us to better tailor our support. In addition, we want to help VISEDAL parents increase their commitment to helping their children succeed.
SMART Goal: Establish regular parent-focused sessions with staff by December 31, 2017.
Add to Our Board of Directors
We are looking to add a few individuals to our board, as a handful of directors rotated off the board in recent periods. We aim to recruit people who are passionate about helping youth succeed and whose skills and experience could advance our mission.
SMART Goal: Add 2–3 new board members by July 2017.
