St. Louis Park Emergency Program

Each of the six domains of Development, Facilities & Operations, Financial Sustainability, Outreach, Personnel, and Services has an overall goal and specific objectives.

I. DEVELOPMENT - all activities related to fundraising/friend raising to acquire financial support
Strategic Goal: STEP will design and implement a comprehensive and multifaceted development strategy that secures the stability of the organization and nurtures a culture of giving.

II. FACILITIES & OPERATIONS - processes & services to manage facilities and operational resources
Strategic Goal: STEP will create a welcoming, safe, accessible and efficiently functioning multi-purpose space that enhances the experience and utilization for all stakeholders.

III. FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY - managing assets, internal controls, budgeting, resiliency
Strategic Goal: STEP will strengthen our financial position to ensure ongoing viability and vitality to achieve the organizational mission.

IV. OUTREACH - marketing, program partners, city, schools, clients
Strategic Goal: STEP will increase community awareness of services and optimize opportunities available to engage the community and increase impact, particularly with historically disconnected groups.

V. PERSONNEL - staff, volunteers, board
Strategic Goal: STEP will strengthen our organizational culture by inviting, welcoming and retaining personnel (staff/volunteers/board) who are representative of our wider community.

VI. SERVICES - our mission of providing services, client-centered activities
Strategic Goal: STEP will optimize service delivery through evaluation of current services and identification of potential future services.

DEVELOPMENT - all activities related to fundraising/friend raising to acquire financial support
1. Identify strategies to accelerate growth of the annual fund, increase donor and stakeholder engagement and investment.
2. Design a roadmap to promote planned giving and grow the endowment.
3. Conduct ongoing assessment of fundraising practices to ensure the implementation of effective development strategies.

FACILITIES & OPERATIONS - processes & services to manage facilities and operational resources
1. Obtain feedback from stakeholders to evaluate and develop a plan to optimize the use of the facility to be welcoming, safe, accessible and efficiently functioning.
2. Complete the current expansion project and develop procedures to regularly evaluate and address maintenance, improvement, and equipment replacement needs.
3. Ensure environmentally sound practices, utilize alternative energy sources when feasible, and adopt efficient practices for energy use and reduce waste production.

FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY - managing assets, internal controls, budgeting, resiliency
1. Create an internally collaborative process for budget development and accountability, including timely communication of complete, understandable and meaningful financial information to internal and external stakeholders.
2. Identify and implement financial best practices and internal controls, to enhance stakeholder confidence in, and support of, our financial sustainability.

OUTREACH - marketing, program partners, city, schools, clients
1. Enhance and expand partnerships and relationships to increase engagement across the community.
2. Evaluate and modify STEP’s communication strategy and branding for increased recognition in the community while also considering the diverse and multilingual needs of the community.
3. Explore the use of STEP’s new facility to support community engagement.

PERSONNEL - staff, volunteers, board
1. Continuously identify and assess opportunities for attracting and recruiting personnel who reflect the composition of our community.
2. Develop an employee feedback loop gathering comprehensive data to foster a climate and culture of collaboration, belonging and growth within the workplace; and, respond to employee needs and values for compensation and benefits.
3. Intentionally prioritize the development of authentic relationships within and across personnel.

SERVICES - our mission of providing services, client-centered activities
1. Use feedback from stakeholders (clients, volunteers, board, staff) to continuously evaluate the range and quality of services offered to identify changing client needs and to utilize best practices.
2. Evaluate our client experience as it relates to improving the accessibility and inclusivity of our services.
3. Explore the need for expanding our geographical service area while continuing coordination with other community based organizations.

STEP has addressed the basic needs of St. Louis Park residents since 1975. A professional staff, an engaged Board of Directors, and hundreds of volunteers work together to operate and improve STEP programs.

STEP enjoys diverse financial support from the community, including from community foundations, businesses, faith communities, and individuals. We have multiple, decades-long relationships that allow us to source donated food and other items to distribute to the community.

STEP prevents hunger in thousands of residents each year and prevents homelessness in dozens of families. Our full-service approach means that the physical, emotional, and economic well-being of our neighbors are improved every day.

STEP has recently undergone a facility and program expansion. The 2023-28 Strategic Plan seeks to build on the most recent community investments in STEP.