Greenlights Strengthens Explore Austin
Explore Austin immerses at-risk inner-city youth into a six-year program that combines mentoring with outdoor exploration to build confidence, character, and a sense of responsibility for themselves and their communities. Their consistent focus on program success had led to success for participants quickly after its 2006 founding, but the organization’s own operational excellence was not on their radar.
As Explore Austin matured and started reaching more young people, it recognized a need to begin focusing on developing the organization itself, and accordingly asked Greenlights to conduct a comprehensive evaluation and assessment and make accompanying recommendations to provide objective, useful data upon which to base key decisions that could strengthen the program model and guide the development of infrastructure that needed to be in place for future growth.
In January of 2009, Greenlights presented a diagnostic report, logic model, and proposed evaluation model to Explore Austin, which used these materials as a guide moving forward. Within months, they drafted and approved new board member roles and responsibilities prior to recruiting new board members. Also based on the recommendations, Explore Austin implemented new risk management policies and procedures, redesigned its Web site and promotional materials, and created a formal communication structure with its partners.
Explore Austin hired new staff, moved into a new office, and added database/fundraising infrastructure and necessary programs. In addition, the organization created a comprehensive, building-block curriculum and enrolled staff in appropriate training.
The Results
Today, Explore Austin has over 65 boys in the program, a 90% increase from years before, and plans to expand the program even more. The Board has also committed to starting a program for at-risk girls in 2011.
In addition, the number of volunteer mentors has increased by about 30%; the Board of Directors has doubled in size; donations have increased by over 50%, and the organization has applied and received numerous foundation grants. The donor base also increased by almost 50%. Most importantly, parents, teachers, and students report a higher level of confidence, satisfaction, and effectiveness in the program.
About Greenlights
Greenlights strengthens nonprofits for extraordinary performance and impact by providing valuable management consulting services, professional development workshops and conferences, in-depth research, a membership program and more. Nonprofits pay about half the cost of our services, thanks to the generosity of our donors.
For more information about our consulting services, contact Tara Kirkland, Director of Consulting, at (512) 477-5955, x262.
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