“We periodically review and evaluate our missions, priorities, policies and/or practices in order to strengthen philanthropy and increase our effectiveness –so that through our work, we can improve the quality of life within our communities.”
Rationale:
Communities are vibrant, dynamic entities. People change, communities change, needs change. Funders should be flexible enough in their practices to accommodate those changes. To be effective and relevant, funders must examine their missions and funding priorities to assure they are in-line with the current needs of the communities they serve. Committing to a periodic review of mission, funding priorities, policies and practices will allow funders to better understand where they’ve been, what the needs are now and how to chart their course moving forward to assure ongoing relevance, effectiveness and impact.
Example in Practice
Engage in a strategic planning process every 3, 5 or 10 years to review the mission, funding priorities and grantmaking policies. Include an environmental scan of community needs to help determine if changes are necessary.
