Strategic Roadmap
In 2022, our Board of Directors and staff developed a Strategic Roadmap that charges us to grow the philanthropic resources available to the Sacramento region, enhance our leadership activities, and ensure all our efforts are rooted in — and advance — diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Guy West Bridge
Together, Toward a Bright, Bold Future
The development of our Strategic Roadmap was informed by in-depth interviews with diverse stakeholders, benchmarking, and reams of internal data. What emerged from the months-long process was an encouraging picture of our collective accomplishments. Also present was a theme that, to enhance our collective impact, we must be bolder.
With that front-of-mind, we updated our vision and mission statements to reflect our aspirations for the future of our work: We envision a thriving and resilient region where generosity and collaboration create equitable opportunity, and our mission is to lead, serve, and inspire enduring philanthropy for a just and vibrant Sacramento region.
To pursue this vision and advance our mission, the Strategic Roadmap names four goals, described below.
Goal One
Diversification & Growth
Focus asset development on unrestricted gifts and high-priority fund types to increase our investment and impact.
This will include increasing expendable and endowed unrestricted gifts and growing legacy giving; celebrating Big Day of Giving milestones and looking to the program’s future; and broadening donor diversity so that our donor base reflects the communities we serve.
Goal Two
Enhanced Impact & Leadership
Sharpen and amplify the areas where the Foundation invests in the community, and the resulting impact.
This will include restructuring our grantmaking areas of focus and serving as an advocate on aligned issues; leveraging funding from within and outside the region to address community needs; and maintaining our current capacity-building emphasis to support nonprofits.
Goal Three
Elevated Brand
Elevate the Foundation’s visibility to more strongly position it as the region’s philanthropic leader and go-to resource for charitable giving.
This will include strengthening communications to increase impact and inspire investment, and building community by engaging and connecting audiences around critical issues.
Goal Four
Strengthened Internal Capacity
Invest in the staff and resources required to meet the Strategic Roadmap’s goals and position the organization for increased leadership and impact.
This will include developing an investment plan that positions the Foundation for growth and impact in the future; investing in core internal capacities; and assessing potential adjustments to the business model.
Each of these goals is supported by objectives, and tied to measurable outcomes. Importantly, they are grounded in the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, advancing the following areas of focus:
Organizational Culture: We will foster a dynamic and impact-centered environment built on trust and belonging.
Human Resources: We will implement equitable opportunities for staff across all areas of human resources.
Governance: We will ensure the Board of Directors and committees reflect the region, with DEI informing all decision-making.
Stakeholder Communications: We will attract a diverse range of stakeholders and create strong relationships to inspire generosity that is inclusive.
Community Leadership: We will foster a more equitable region through strategic investments, convenings, and voice.
Programs & Scholarships: We will ensure the Foundation’s processes are responsive to the region’s present and emerging needs.
Advocacy: We will publicly support issues that align with initiatives and address communities’ needs, especially those impacted by structural inequities.
These goals are also supported by correlating objectives, measurable outcomes, and strategies — and, like all of our work, are based in our core values. In pursuing a bolder approach to our work, we are following the model set by the forward-thinking leaders of the past whose efforts have guided the Foundation to this point.
Now, as we define the shape of our work into the future, we are excited to work alongside you to inspire bold philanthropy for years to come. Here’s what we’ve been up to:
With Gratitude
We thank those on our Board of Directors who dedicated countless hours to developing this plan for the Foundation’s future. Members of our Strategic Planning Committee and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force — which, compiled, comprise the Strategic Roadmap — included Elaine Abelaye-Mateo, Karen Baker, Kathy McKim, Cassandra Walker Pye, Kate Stille, Martin Steiner, Renee Taylor, and Steven Weiss. We are grateful to the Foundation’s staff, who collaborated with great intention and care throughout this process.
Grants Advisory Board for Youth