Heartstrings Community Foundation
Independence through employment
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Organizational Employment
The unique HCF model employs Adults’ w/developmental disabilities through HCF owned businesses in organizational employment positions Monday through Fri. during the hours of 10 - 3. The HCF employees have the opportunity to work up to 20 hours per week in the businesses owned and operated by HCF – Goody Delivery®, Heartfully Made, HCF Gift Baskets and Sacks on Santa Fe. They may also work in the community with the assistance of HCF job coaching. The employees work in teams of 3 with 1 staff member. All of these businesses pay the employees based on their independence, mastery of the skills and commission on sales. Several of the employees are earning minimum wage. All employees have business cards and are making business relationships in the community.
Supported Employment
The innovative Heartstrings model provides ongoing job coaching & support for adults w/developmental disabilities in employment outside of Heartstrings. A job coach is available to help the employer teach the job to the new employee, maintain the quality of work, and to mentor and advise the staff on best way to work with the new employee. The ongoing support from the job coach is essential for the successful employment experience.
Community Service and Volunteerism
Community Service and volunteering are important ways to belong to a community. When an employee is not scheduled to work they may choose to volunteer. Several HCF employees have made regular commitments to these organizations. HCF participated in Hospital Hill Run for 6 years as a Charity partner. Heartstrings employees and staff have participated with Meals On Wheels.
Where we work
Accreditations
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) - Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments Accreditation
Johnson County CDDO 2000
Awards
Affiliations & memberships
Chamber of Commerce 2009
Great Nonprofits 2011
TechSoup 2002
Nonprofit Connect of Greater Kansas City 2009
Olathe Chamber of Commerce 2018
Blue valley School District 2021
Johnson County CDDO 2000
External reviews
Photos
Videos
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Heartstrings Community Foundation serves as an innovative catalyst for positive change by providing unique employment opportunities for individuals who have intellectual/developmental disabilities. Employment for these individuals has traditionally been limited to sheltered workshops, with little opportunity to build skill levels or relationships in the community. We recognize that people with I/DD are individual who possess unique personalities and strengths, but have little opportunity as adults to expand on either.According to the CDC's 2016 report, "Recent estimates in the United States show that about one in six, or about 15% of children aged 3 through 17 years have a one or more developmental disability. Developmental disabilities are a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language or behavior areas. These conditions begin during the developmental period, may impact day-to-day functioning, and usually last throughout a person's lifetime." U.S. Labor Department noted that the unemployment rate for people with disabilities, at 10.5% for the year, was "about twice that of those with no disability."As a licensedcommunityservice provider for adults with I/DD, Heartstrings Community Foundation focuses on providing successful employment and inclusion in the community for those who have little ability to achieve this goal independently. Through employment at Heartstrings Community Foundation, over 50 individuals have jobs that offer opportunities to interact with the general public - building on their abilities and personal interests to create opportunities for careers, and an increased network of supportive relationships. Ongoing job coaching and facilitating opportunities for personal growth is the most important part of the plan Heartstrings provides for HCF employees to increase their independence.Our teams are viewed by their customers as successful vendors, which expands many perceptions of disability vs. ability. We know this model is successful,our businesses continue to grow, our customers have seen the value in HCF employees and have offered jobs to some of them. HCF staff also job coach our employees in positions in other businesses - increasing their business relationships, skills and pay. During the next three years, we plan to focus on expansionof Goody Delivery, securing additional business relationships. Long-term success will include, steady growth in sales ( 5% per year) and increased number of individuals with I/DD employed. Currently HCF only employs individuals living in Johnson County. During the next 3 years we plan to expand our employment service to include additional counties in the KC Metro Area.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
The Heartstrings Team Model of one staff member (Team Leader) matched with three employees (Team Members) works especially well in our Goody Delivery (Mobile Snack Service). It allows our teams to enter other businesses and engage in sales appointments successfully, with minimal disruption of the normal business activity. We know this model is successful because our business continues to grow and some of the HCF employees have been offered jobs by their customers. Our ultimate goals are to successfully employ adults with I/DD in the interactive jobs in the community. Heartstrings provides regular job coaching for employment in the community to ensure success for the employee and employer. Staff & employee training is an ongoing activity at Heartstrings to build on our knowledge, skills and abilities. A new curriculum has been created to teach the skills needed for Goody Delivery and Packaging. New measurement tools have been created to track the success of the employees knowledge and skill development. Ongoing job coaching and facilitating opportunities for personal growth is the most important part of the plan Heartstrings provides for HCF employees to increase their independence. Staff and employees are sharing business cards and making new contacts everywhere they go. The HCF Development team meets with current and potential business partners on a regular basis. The goal of these meetings is to create new business partnerships and obtain valuable feedback and referrals from current business partners. HCF is also planning to collaborate with some of our business partners each year on community volunteer projects with Heart to Heart International. This will strengthen the relationships between HCF employees and our business partners as we work together, sharing a common goal and activity for good. We strive to make all our relationships a win - win. Building our businesses requires outreach from HCF leadership to increase business partnerships and alliances.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Heartstrings Community Foundation has spent 23 years developing a successful model to employ adults who have intellectual/developmental disabilities.In 2018 we purchased a building that allowed expansion of programs and services. A license package was developed and is available to enable other entities to create Heartstrings type businessesin their communities.Thislicense packageis available for groups who would like to inquire about licensing and consultations. Heartstrings Community Foundation has developed a respected reputation in the community and from our state licensing personnel. Heartstrings staff is trained in at least 8 areas and re-trained every year. Incentives are offered to staff members who engage in extra classwork, through Non Profit Connect, Pryor Learning and local colleges.Heartstrings Teams are successfully employed in the community every day. Currently our teams work with nearly 70 businesses in the KC Metro Area and interact with over 400 people each week, building relationships. Staff participation with Overland Park Chamber of Commerce, Olathe Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Overland Park Association, Non Profit Connect builds business connections. Staff and employees have business cards and are trained to use them liberally, networking where ever they go each day. Many of our business partners are investing in our success through referrals, donations, volunteerism and participation in annual fundraising events.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Heartstrings Community Foundation (HCF) has successfully developed a model that teachesadultswith intellectual/developmental disabilities the skills necessary to be successful in paid jobswhile providing interaction with the general public.Heartstringshas developed a reputation for high standards and quality performance.One of the obstacles hindering business expansion is a budget and expertise regarding marketing and public relations. Getting the "Heartstrings Story" told often and reaching a bigger audience remains a challenge.Heartstrings has not met the goal of expanding our services to other counties within the KC Metro Area nor have welicensed any group outside of KC Metro area.
The strategic plan for 2023-2026 includes increased community outreach to create more business opportunities, family education, school transition specialist contacts and increase donor base. Exploration of expansion opportunities and transportation options for employees. Amp up our recruitment for passionate staff and board members. Plan to update internal systems for greater efficiency.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We share the feedback we received with the people we serve, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, The people we serve tell us they find data collection burdensome, It is difficult to get honest feedback from the people we serve
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Heartstrings Community Foundation
Board of directorsas of 01/22/2024
Mrs. Anne Hull
Katheigh Degen
Twin Financial
Anne Hull
Heartstrings Community Foundation
Gavin Hull
Innerzone
William Degen
Unum
Doug Leibbrandt
Sean Seyb
New York Life Ins.
Kelsey Parker
BKD/Norvis
Mike Racy
MIAA-KC
Cindy Bechard
Jessica Krupco
Terracon Consulting, Inc.
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No