Sister-Bear Foundation

Governance and Finance
A. Goal: Review Bylaws, Strategic Plan, Policies and Procedures and update as necessary.
B. Goal: Establish financial procedures and review regularly to ensure integrity and transparency.
C. Goal: Ensure proper records of board meetings and actions are kept and retained.
D. Goal: Schedule all board meetings for the year to ensure preparation and attendance.

Programs
A. Goal: Provide grants for qualifying individuals to access fitness and wellness resources.
B. Goal: Advocate for mobility-impaired community affected by neurological accident or illness.
C. Goal: To seek and consider options to bring fitness and wellness resources and equipment to Texas Panhandle.

Fundraising
A. Goal: Seek support, financial or otherwise, from all available sources to support our mission.
B. Goal: Be good stewards of all donor relationships and donations to Sister-Bear Foundation.

Marketing
A. Goal: Develop and maintain marketing programs plan to promote Sister-Bear Foundation mission, programs, and events, and donation opportunities.

1. Conduct Strategic Planning review with board and update as necessary by February 2023.
2. Review Bylaws and update as necessary every 3 years (Next in 2024).
3. Draft Policies and Procedures by August 2023.
4. Elect a new board treasurer by March 2023.
5. Draft financial procedures to include in Policies and Procedures by May 2023.
6. Secretary take minutes at all board meetings to be approved at following board meeting beginning Mar 2023.
7. Schedule Board Meeting Dates and Times for 2023 by January 2023.
8. Grants Committee review grant applications and distribute a total of $30,000 in grants through Dec 2023.
9. Collaborate with organizations that are sources of referrals for potential grantees.
10. Continue to raise awareness of Grants program across Texas Panhandle.
11. Research options to bring an adaptive fitness facility to Amarillo.
12. Promote Lokomat Wellness Program at NWTHS and purchase additional equipment if needed.
13. Hire a new part-time Development Director by March 2023
14. Draft Case for Support and Development and Marketing Calendar by March 2023.
15. Apply to foundations for grants to raise $10,000 by December 2023.
16. Conduct a successful 2023 Sister-Bear Shoot to raise $140,000 by October 2023.
17. Participate in The Panhandle Gives to raise $25,000 by November 2023.
18. Collaborate with Third Party Fundraisers to help raise unrestricted funds.
19. Utilize Bloomerang to keep track of donations and acknowledge gifts in a timely manner within 48 hrs of gift.
20. Communicate with donors and event participants at least quarterly.
21. Recognize donors appropriately, using benefits outlined in sponsorship agreement by August 2023.
22. Continue to update social media pages to announce events, grants, and news-worthy items related to mobility-impaired community throughout year.
23. Actively seek public relations opportunities through press releases and announcements throughout year.
24. Update Grants Program brochure to provide information about grants and services provided by February 2023.
25. Meet with Community Advisory Committee/Mobility Coalition by July 2023
26. Distribute SBF brochure to medical professionals and other nonprofits helping mobility-impaired community.
27. Get input from Community Advisory Committee/Mobility Coalition, and medical, fitness community to identify gaps and fitness/wellness needs.
28. Make PSA to inform community about grants and services we provide by Aug 2023.
29. Development Director join AFP and participate in Development Directors Circle through Nonprofit Svc. Center.
30. Board President participate in Executive Director’s Circle through Nonprofit Service Center
31. Staff and Board Members attend outreach and community events to network and gain knowledge on community activities impacting nonprofits and mobility-impaired community.

• Returning board members participated in 2023 Strategic Planning and know organizational goals and strategies to achieve them. Each has volunteered with or served on the board of Sister-Bear Foundation since its inception in 2019 and actively participate in all fundraising efforts and other board responsibilities.
• New board members attended board orientation and understand board members responsibilities and expectations.
• Amy Juba, CFRE is a founding board member and a nonprofit consultant with 17 years of nonprofit management and development experience. She is responsible for conducting Sister-Bear Foundation's strategic planning sessions and working with the board and staff to develop and implement strategies to achieve goals.
• Karen Benckenstein was hired to serve as Sister-Bear Foundation’s Development Director in March 2023. Karen has extensive nonprofit and management experience and has a master's degree in Public Administration.
• Julie Granger, Board President and Founder, provides the passion, commitment, and relationships needed to continue moving Sister-Bear Foundation to achieve strategic goals.
• Ryan Cotgreave was elected to be the organization’s treasurer. Ryan has extensive experience in health care management and operations.

• Conducted Strategic Planning review and update as needed.
• Elected a new board treasurer.
• Secretary take minutes at all board meetings, that are reviewed and approved at following board meeting.
• Board has scheduled board meeting dates and times for 2023.
• Grants Committee continues to review grant applications and is on track to distribute a total of $30,000 in grants in 2023
• Development Director is making contacts within the community to collaborate with organizations that are sources of referrals for potential grantees.
• Development Director is meeting with various fitness providers to determine if a collaboration is possible and what steps Sister-Bear Foundation needs to take to meet the need in our community.
• Several participants are actively utilizing the Lokomat Wellness Program at NWTHS.
• Hired a new part-time Development Director in March 2023
• The 2023 Sister-Bear Shoot sponsorship and team solicitation began in May 2023.
• SBF is registered to participate in The Panhandle Gives week of fundraising.
• A fundraising event hosted by a third party fundraiser will be held in June 2023.
• The fundraising committee selected GiveSmart web and phone implemented technology to facilitate the success of the 3rd party fundraiser and the Sister-Bear Shoot.
• Press releases are sent to area media quarterly to announce grant recipients.
• Development Director and Board President have joined and are participating in training programs offered through the Nonprofit Service Center.