Community Feedback Results: A Message from Our President And CEO
Feb 8, 2023 Over the past several months, the Community Foundation embarked on a journey of evaluation that will inform the development of our new five-year strategic plan, which will take us through our centennial year of service to the region. Studies conducted by The Center for Effective Philanthropy as well as focus groups and interviews led by Gwen Webber-McLeod of Gwen, Inc. uncovered positive outcomes as well as opportunities for us to advance our work. We were heartened to receive favorable feedback in the following areas: You also challenged us to expand the impact of our work by focusing on: Our grant applicants and recipients helped us identify an opportunity to further open the channels of communication between them and our staff. We are working on plans to be in touch more often to listen and understand grantee needs and those of the communities they serve, especially populations that have been historically underfunded. Our donors expressed an interest in connecting more often with each other and other members of the community. We hope to offer a variety of gatherings and convenings that will help our donors and supporters learn how to best tackle the region’s greatest concerns and opportunities. And, perhaps most importantly, weaved throughout your feedback is a call for us to expand upon our commitment toward diversity, equity, access and inclusion – to amplify voices, be continually visible in the communities we serve and clearly communicate how our work supports those impacted by systemic racism or other bias. As I prepare to transition from my role at the Community Foundation after 15 years of leadership this coming June, I could not be more proud of this work and thankful for your support and feedback. Your perspective has had a major influence on our new strategic plan, which will be released this summer. Until then, please feel free to contact me at pdunn@cnycf.org or 315-422-9538 if you would like to find out more about our process, the feedback we received or any aspect of our work. Thank you again for trusting us to be your partner in philanthropy and community impact. Gratefully, Peter A. DunnPresident and CEO Courtesy of Central New York Community Foundation