Ways to Work

More ... Managing Their Programs

By Quincy Scaggs, WtW National Operations Manager

Allan Crawford
Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Arlington, TX

Allan Crawford has been with the Arlington Chamber of Commerce since 2007 as Director of the Center for a Competitive Workforce. The Chamber’s Ways to Work program originally began in 2006 and was later integrated into the operations of the Center, with Allan assuming program management responsibilities in June 2008. His Ways to Work staff currently includes loan coordinator Karen Nolen-Austin and program assistant Jane Jackson.

This program could be considered a Cinderella story. Allan points out that, upon his taking over management of the program, only 25 loans had been made over two years. A minimal level of management support and guidance, coupled with a severe lack of partnership development and visibility in the community, contributed to diminishing loan production over time. “The program relied solely on word of mouth to acquire participants” says Allan. By September 2008, the Chamber had decided to no longer continue with the program. Allan cites reasons including the lack of a defined strategic plan, poor communications, and inconsistent program expectations between the Chamber and National Office staff. As dialogue opened up between new parties, and a true vision for Ways to Work was collectively established, the Arlington Chamber made the decision to re-launch with new leadership and enthusiasm.

After national office staff visits from Jeff and me, the Chamber quickly identified new program and networking opportunities through these defined strategies and began to accomplish tangible outcomes and goals, due to such accountability measures described by Allan as:

• Reaching out to community partners
• Providing as much guidance and support from management
• Achieving executive level and board support
• Defining expectations for production, growth, and the future by defining benchmarks on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis

The Chamber spent October, November, and December of 2008 working to revamp its operations. The primary focus during that time was simple: build a strategy to ensure success. Most important was getting the message out into the community. In addition, production goals, management support, and board buy-in all needed to be established. The result was a material redesign, website and collateral material enhancements, increased outreach efforts including phone calls and mailings to community partners, work-flow improvements, and most importantly, a renewed level of enthusiasm from staff. After all that, in January 2009, the Chamber was ready to re-launch its Ways to Work program.

Allan felt that before, focusing on details and small objectives kept them from reaching the big objective—making loans. “The only thing I care about is LOAN PRODUCTION. If we do that, all that other stuff will fall into place.” This was Allan’s primary message to his team at the time of their re-launch. In other words, Allan meant that if the main metric of production is successfully met, all other metrics will be successfully met too.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND THE FUTURE

The results of the literal 180 degree turn that this program took were accolades and a promising future. At the Institute this year, the program took home two awards—Premier Program and Most Improved Program. It has now expanded its service area to include both Tarrant and Dallas Counties, resulting in the program receiving calls as far as Waco, which is an hour away.

In 2010, Allan plans to reach out to many more community partners, including social and community service organizations, increase workforce investment, board relationships, and further expand the program to serve 14 total counties. In addition, he also plans to reach out to more local employers as program sponsors. He believes that these efforts, with two loan coordinators and two program assistants on staff, could yield upwards of 150 loans from January through December.

Further in the future, Allan envisions an absolutely mobile program where two or more loan coordinators, supporting assigned geographic regions of the total service area, would serve clients closer to their place or residence through shared space provided by collaborating organizations. Executive Directors for each of the three Workforce Investment Boards - Tarrant County, Dallas County, and North Central Texas - have pledged space in 9 of their 32 total one-stop centers. Allan is currently building job descriptions and program expectations for the mobile loan coordinators, as his IT Department works to develop software and hardware packages necessary for this new operational style. Through internal discussions and conversations with new partners, he believes that long-term program growth plans could include loan coordinators for each of the one-stop centers, resulting in upwards of 500 loans annually. Allan is currently testing the waters with a pilot format.

If all of that wasn’t enough, Allan is also working with the United Ways of Dallas and Tarrant County to develop a community based financial stability initiative. “I want to use the Ways to Financial Success curriculum as one tool in the toolbox in building a sustainable community” he says. All of this is just one of many initiatives Allan has in his education and workforce development role with the Chamber.

By Karen Nolen-Austin, Arlington, TX

Evy Bonner

Evy Bonner is a hardworking mother of three. Evy moved to Arlington Texas about two years ago to start a new life. She felt that her life needed a change and she became hopeful to find a job that brought about a positive change for her and the children. She contacted the Arlington Chamber Foundation seeking an auto loan. She was overwhelmed with walking to work and was in much need of a vehicle. She stated “with us having a car, I would be able to go and come with no problems. I would be able to work as much overtime as needed. The car would be a great value to us for doing the things that need to be done such as work, school, appointments, and activities with my family. The job I have is the only source of income that’s coming in. I don’t want to put my job at risk by not showing up or by being late for work. If given the opportunity to purchase a car through the Ways to Work program, I will be so grateful in knowing that this opportunity will enable me and my family to stay on track.”

By Quincy Scaggs, WtW National Operations Manager

Carol Berde

When I began this newsletter feature, I indicated that I wanted to provide background and program perspectives from all board members. It is with great pleasure that I am able to provide perspective from the program’s original visionary, Carol Berde.

Carol Berde is a consultant to nonprofit organizations and foundations, following a 25-year career at The McKnight Foundation. At McKnight, Minnesota’s largest philanthropy, Carol held leadership positions in many aspects of foundation work, most recently as executive vice president.

Her consulting practice focuses on strategic planning, collaborative inquiry, and program development for philanthropies and nonprofits, especially in the fields of community development, affordable housing, and children and families. In addition to operating her consulting firm and serving on the Ways to Work board, Carol also serves on the board of Hearth Connection, an intermediary organization working to end long-term homelessness in Minnesota.

Carol is a graduate of Smith College, magna cum laude, where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

To prepare for the interviews of the Ways to Work board members, I was provided with two questions. The first one was: Why is the member involved with the program? Knowing Carol’s background, I really didn’t have to ask.

Her involvement with Ways to Work goes back to the beginning. Carol was at the McKnight Foundation when the Family Loan Program was established from what she described as a “tiny little idea.” That idea was a solution to help predominately single mothers successfully transition from welfare to work.

What I decided to ask about were her reasons for still being involved with Ways to Work, after all of these years. She provided two reasons.

First, Carol says she had a vested interest in ensuring that the program evolved with equal emphasis on its banking and social services aspects. She admits being fascinated with how the program has evolved over time to get to the current business model—a centralized lending system comprised of debt and grant capital.

Emotion was her second reason. That tiny little idea has grown far beyond imagination, which she finds very rewarding. “To see how the idea can change with time and demand, and what has been learned, is satisfying,” she says. She is delighted that the idea-to-execution did not have the short shelf life that many ventures do. She refers to such short-lived programs as a “flash in a pan.”

Now we arrive at my second question: What does the board member see as the program’s value? Carol sees the value in the impact the program has on the people served, based on evaluation data and borrower success stories. She sees Ways to Work helping people become part of the economic mainstream and deal with economic stresses on a family in a constructive way. She also acknowledges that Ways to Work’s persistence in helping policy makers look at car ownership differently is paying off. They are now beginning to see that a car is necessary for daily life and family advancement.

While discussing the necessity of a car, Carol poses a great question: How would I do everything I need to do today if I didn’t have a car?

I asked Carol about the future of Ways to Work. She wants to it be available everywhere to everyone who could benefit from a car and financial coaching. She wants to emphasize the importance of the financial coaching component. She adds that the idea of financial coaching has a lot of value beyond owning a car. “Financial coaching has the same benefits as a trainer for working out—helping you to get to the next level,” she says.

Selecting Carol Berde for this particular newsletter issue has some added significance. She participated in her final board meeting November 11th. She will continue to consult for foundations and non profits and serve on the board of Hearth Connection, as well as other boards.

Making the Most of the "End of the Year" for Your Ways to Work Program

By La Vang, Fund Development Manager

The end of the year is most nonprofits’ busiest time for fundraising. According to a 2008 Charity Navigator Year-End Giving Survey, nonprofits reported that the median percentage of their annual contributions received between Thanksgiving and New Years is 29%. That number is higher when it comes to online contributions. Network for Good reports that “45% of annual giving via their online donation system occurs during December and that this figure has remained consistent (within 5%) since 2003.” There are various factors that motivate people to give during this time. Some donors are feeling more generous because of the holiday season, while others want to meet the tax deadlines. Whatever the reasons, now is the time to capitalize on them to raise funds for your Ways to Work program.

Appealing to a donor’s emotion, especially during the holidays, is by far the most effective strategy for raising money for your Ways to Work program. It is also one of the best times to solicit a second gift from your current donors.

Take a look at your donor list and segment it into two groups – those who have given and those who have not given this year – and decide on a solicitation strategy. A solicitation letter will reach a large group of donors in the quickest amount of time, but should only be done with non-major donors. Those whom your agency considers major donors should be solicited in person. Your message must be tailored to each segmented group. For lapsed donors, thank them for their previous gift and remind them how important their gift was to the clients served and let them know there is still time to give. For current donors, they need to be thanked for their recent gifts and ask them to consider giving again during this holiday season. It is important to give concrete examples of where dollars are needed. Donors, in general, are more willing to give if they have something tangible to support. For example, a gift of $500 will provide 10 families with valuable financial education to move them towards greater economic self-sufficiency. The holiday is also a great time to suggest donors give in honor of a loved one as a gift. The cost is minimal to your organization and you have acquired another donor prospect.

For those who are motivated by the tax deduction, make sure that all messages in your email, website, and fundraising materials indicate that a gift must be made by December 31. You should also consider sending a letter and a brochure to accountants, tax attorneys, and financial planners asking them to keep your organization in mind if their clients are in need of a tax deduction. The information you send must highlight all the important work that your Ways to Work program has done in the community and goals for next year. This way, the financial professionals can easily provide your organization as an option, should their clients ask for a nonprofit to give to.

One important fundraising rule during this busy holiday season is to make gift giving easy for your donors. Make sure your solicitation letters include a pledge card and return envelope. Online giving should be an option for donors. If your website does not have the capability to accept online gifts, you may want to set up an account through PayPal or Network for Good. Give donors an option to give in installments. Research has shown that people give more when they can make smaller payments over a year, rather than one payment. This is even more important during the holiday season and current economic climate.

Another funding source that should be a high priority for your Ways to Work program is the business community. Nonprofits too often lose out on this funding stream because they start too late and businesses have no dollars to allocate. The majority of businesses are working on their budget for the next fiscal year during this time. Start scheduling meetings with your local business community now to pitch your program, so that funding can be included in their budget. One place to start this conversation is with the CEO or marketing department. You want to research the company before meeting with them. Perhaps they want to increase their presence in a market that you serve, align their company with a cause, or create a better image in the community. In exchange for their sponsorship, you may want to offer them signage at all your financial education classes or on your marketing materials. Businesses must see a return on investment for their contribution before they agree to fund your Ways to Work program.

If you’re contemplating how you can maximize the end of the year to raise funds for your Ways to Work program and need further assistance, please contact the Ways to Work Funding Support Services Team at funddevelopment@waystowork.org.