Altman Foundation
Charting a Strategy for the Future
After 90 years of grantmaking, The New York City-based Altman Foundation identified the development of a first-time strategic plan as a critical tool for ensuring funding impact in the years to come.
"We also anticipated that the strategic planning work would be a good opportunity to discuss issues that kept surfacing in the grantmaking process," said Altman President Jane O'Connell. "Often, questions about why we did things a certain way had no better answer than 'it's the way we've always done it.' As a result, board and staff members sometimes had differing perspectives on our grantmaking agenda."
The Foundation embarked on a facilitated self-assessment process that emphasized the value of hiring objective strategic planners. After extensive vetting, Altman turned to TCC Group. "We sought a firm experienced in the foundation world that could provide us with comparative models. TCC Group consultants had significant experience in our funding areas and in strategic planning," recalled O'Connell.
In-Depth Analysis Generates Practical Recommendations
TCC Group found the Altman Foundation, with its clear geographic focus and close relationships with stakeholders, well positioned for strategic planning. Through an in-depth data collection process featuring interviews with staff and board members, and an external scan incorporating focus groups, grantee surveys, individual interviews and group discussions, TCC Group developed a razor-sharp understanding of the Foundation's diverse stakeholders. In doing so, "the TCC consultants developed a great collaborative relationship with Altman staff and board members," commented O'Connell.
This intensive process generated several insightful recommendations, most of which have been implemented by the Foundation. Perhaps most significant was the clear definition of guidelines for each funding area, comprised of specific objectives and detailed strategies for meeting them. Other changes included implementing a formal evaluation process and revising the focus of two of the Foundation's annual board meetings to discuss sustentative issues affecting its grantmaking.
Clear Framework for Grantmaking Now and in the Future
The Altman Foundation's "new system of objectives and strategies allows us to show more clearly how the Foundation's priorities translate into programs and approaches on the ground," commented Vice President and Executive Director Karen L. Rosa.
"In addition," said O'Connell, "our staff and board members were motivated to become even more proactive in our grantmaking than we had been traditionally. We've become even more visible in the philanthropic community in leadership roles and collaborations."
O'Connell emphasized that staff and board members are clearer on the 'what and why' of grantmaking. This shared understanding has facilitated the streamlining of internal communications and decision making. Grant applicants are also clearer on what is funded via access to the guidelines on Altman's website. "We are set with our new guidelines for ongoing evolution as our areas of funding and the environment in which we work change over time," remarked O'Connell.
