Salem Parks Foundation Board Development & Recruitment Strategy
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Date
2024
Authors
Aguinaga, Parker
Hauthe, Quinne
Johnson, Alexia
Lopez, Mariah
Lun, Sian Dim
Mason, Dyana
Fracchia, Elena
Thompson, Kim
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Parks Foundations are a natural asset to a thriving park community, given their unique ability to support the government through nonprofit funding activities, while still supporting community wellness. This is particularly true as governments allocate funding to different initiatives, and departments seek outside funding and support to continue community-focused programming.
In Winter 2024, the Salem Parks Foundation (SPF) requested that this nonprofit consultancy group explore volunteerism, diversity, and board recruitment. Focus was placed on Board Development and Board Recruitment in order to strengthen the Foundation for future growth and development into diversity outreach and volunteer initiatives. In order to research these areas, we relied on secondary literature, a review of SPF materials, interviews with SPF and other Oregon Parks foundations, and finally a survey sent out to the Neighborhood Associations.
Over the course of our research, we received a wide variety of responses, both from parties invested in SPF, and from those who had never even heard of the organization. We found that SPF has the opportunity to develop stronger processes to support a nonprofit foundation, from board development and governance, to strategy for recruitment and community outreach. To address these areas, we developed a comprehensive plan to revitalize the organization, and allow them to focus on longer term projects and goals.