Deschutes Children's Foundation

In our most recent strategic planning process, six key goals were identified, agreed upon, and mapped to include the voices, agreement, concerns, and long-term vision of the entire board. The following key results were identified, placed in order of importance, and then expanded to include strategic, measurable, timely action goals for each result: 1. Create a motivated, generous, and engaged Board of Directors; 2. Foster mutually thriving relationships with our partners; 3. Provide safe, clean, functional, and efficient facilities; 4. Instill positive brand recognition (be well known, recognized, and valued throughout our community); 5. Be a priority nonprofit for more donors; 6. Re-imagine, re-vamp, and re-vitalize our events. These new goals were a catalyst for DCF, particularly in areas of evaluation, partnerships, facility maintenance, and financial sustainability.

. A committee has formed to focus on facility maintenance and repair in order to best prioritize funds and projects. Whereas in the past repairs and maintenance were done on an as-needed, and often emergency, basis, we are now regularly assessing the health, comfort, and upkeep of our facilities. Repairs, routine maintenance, and strategic improvements are prioritized based on the considerations of budget, need, partner impact, and environmental efficiency.

Listening and being responsive to partners concerns and requests builds trust and increases communication. By taking an active and engaged approach to partner concerns, we are able to build trust and increase morale within our campuses. DCF exists to support nonprofits in work to help children and families, but fulfilling our commitment to provide the best possible resources for our partners, they are able to better serve more children and families.

In 2019, we secured funding to remodel and update the dated community meeting room at our first location, Rosie Bareis Community Campus. Originally a small church, the large space was shabby, dated, and though heavily used, not user-friendly. With a fresh coat of paint, new carpet, improved presentation technology, and lightweight, easily adjustable tables and chairs, the room retains all the former charm. Most importantly, the space simply works better for partners like CASA who use the space frequently for meetings and volunteer trainings. \nThe Board of Directors and staff undertook a new strategic planning process in December 2019, which was finalized in March. The plan focuses on six key goals: donor stewardship, brand recognition, facility improvement, board development, strengthening the mutual benefit of partnership with organizations housed in our facilities, and determining a long-term plan for undeveloped land at our East Bend Campus. \nThe past four months have been challenging for Deschutes Children’s Foundation, due to the disruption caused by COVID-19. The spirit of community and togetherness that is so crucial to the positive outcomes of our work has changed as many partners work from home, address client needs virtually, and work to adapt to our changing times. During this time, we have focused on communication, promoting social distancing, and safety. We are adapting by limiting the number of people in our meeting rooms and closing meeting room rentals to outside renters, though this comes with an anticipated loss of $10,000 in earned income.