Harvard Case - Arbor City Community Foundation (A): The Foundation
"Arbor City Community Foundation (A): The Foundation" Harvard business case study is written by Karl Schmedders, Russell Walker, Michael Stritch. It deals with the challenges in the field of Finance. The case study is 3 page(s) long and it was first published on : Nov 1, 2011
At Fern Fort University, we recommend that the Arbor City Community Foundation (ACCF) adopt a multi-pronged strategy to address its challenges and achieve its long-term goals. This strategy encompasses a comprehensive financial analysis, strategic asset allocation, enhanced fundraising efforts, and increased community engagement.
2. Background
The Arbor City Community Foundation (ACCF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in Arbor City. The case study focuses on the challenges faced by ACCF as it grapples with a declining endowment, increasing demands for funding, and a need to adapt to evolving community needs. The key protagonists are:
- Mary Beth Anderson, the Executive Director of ACCF, who is tasked with steering the foundation through these challenges.
- The Board of Directors, responsible for overseeing the foundation's operations and ensuring its financial stability.
- The Community, which relies on ACCF for funding vital programs and initiatives.
3. Analysis of the Case Study
The case study highlights several key challenges facing ACCF:
- Declining Endowment: The foundation's endowment has been shrinking due to poor investment performance and a lack of consistent growth.
- Increasing Demands for Funding: The needs of the community are growing, putting pressure on ACCF to provide more funding for various programs.
- Adapting to Evolving Needs: The community's needs are changing, requiring ACCF to adapt its grant-making strategies to address emerging issues.
To analyze these challenges, we can use a SWOT analysis framework:
Strengths:
- Strong Community Reputation: ACCF enjoys a positive reputation within the community and is trusted as a reliable source of funding.
- Experienced Staff: The foundation has a dedicated team with expertise in grant-making and community development.
- Established Network: ACCF has a strong network of donors and partners, providing access to potential funding sources.
Weaknesses:
- Declining Endowment: The shrinking endowment limits the foundation's ability to fund new initiatives.
- Limited Staff Resources: The staff is stretched thin, hindering their ability to effectively manage grant-making activities.
- Lack of Diversification: The foundation's investment portfolio is heavily concentrated in fixed income securities, limiting potential returns.
Opportunities:
- Growing Philanthropic Landscape: There is a growing trend of individuals and corporations seeking to engage in philanthropy, presenting opportunities for ACCF to attract new donors.
- Emerging Technologies: Utilizing technology and analytics can streamline operations, improve fundraising efforts, and enhance grant-making efficiency.
- Partnerships: Collaborating with other organizations can leverage resources and expand the foundation's reach.
Threats:
- Economic Uncertainty: Economic downturns can negatively impact the foundation's endowment and donor contributions.
- Competition for Funding: ACCF faces competition from other non-profits and philanthropic organizations for limited resources.
- Changing Donor Preferences: Shifting donor priorities may necessitate adjustments in the foundation's grant-making strategies.
4. Recommendations
To address the challenges and capitalize on opportunities, ACCF should implement the following recommendations:
1. Financial Strategy:
- Diversify Investment Portfolio: ACCF should diversify its portfolio beyond fixed income securities by allocating a portion of its assets to equity investments, alternative investments, and real estate. This diversification will help mitigate risk and potentially generate higher returns.
- Implement a Strategic Asset Allocation Plan: Develop a comprehensive asset allocation strategy based on the foundation's risk tolerance, time horizon, and investment goals. This plan should be regularly reviewed and adjusted as needed.
- Enhance Financial Reporting and Transparency: Improve financial reporting practices to provide donors and stakeholders with clear and concise information about the foundation's financial performance and investment strategies.
2. Fundraising and Grant-Making:
- Develop a Comprehensive Fundraising Strategy: Implement a multi-faceted fundraising strategy that includes cultivating new donors, engaging existing donors, and exploring alternative funding sources such as corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and public-private partnerships.
- Target High-Impact Grants: Focus on grant-making initiatives that have the potential to generate significant positive impacts on the community. This requires conducting thorough financial analysis and return on investment (ROI) calculations for each grant proposal.
- Develop a Data-Driven Approach to Grant-Making: Utilize data and analytics to identify community needs, track grant outcomes, and measure the effectiveness of funding initiatives.
3. Community Engagement:
- Increase Community Involvement: Actively engage with community members, stakeholders, and potential beneficiaries to better understand their needs and priorities. This can be achieved through community forums, focus groups, and online surveys.
- Promote Transparency and Accountability: Be transparent about the foundation's operations, grant-making process, and financial performance. This builds trust and encourages continued support from the community.
- Develop Partnerships: Collaborate with other organizations, businesses, and government agencies to leverage resources and amplify the impact of grant-making initiatives.
5. Basis of Recommendations
These recommendations are based on the following considerations:
- Core Competencies and Consistency with Mission: The recommendations align with ACCF's mission to improve the quality of life in Arbor City by focusing on sustainable financial practices, strategic grant-making, and community engagement.
- External Customers and Internal Clients: The recommendations prioritize the needs of both external stakeholders (donors, community members) and internal clients (foundation staff, board of directors).
- Competitors: The recommendations consider the competitive landscape within the non-profit sector and aim to differentiate ACCF by focusing on data-driven decision-making, impactful grant-making, and community-driven initiatives.
- Attractiveness ' Quantitative Measures: The recommendations are supported by quantitative measures such as return on investment (ROI), financial modeling, and cost of capital calculations to ensure the foundation's long-term financial sustainability.
6. Conclusion
By implementing these recommendations, ACCF can address its current challenges, strengthen its financial position, and continue to serve as a vital resource for the Arbor City community. This multi-pronged strategy will enable the foundation to adapt to evolving needs, attract new funding sources, and maximize the impact of its grant-making activities.
7. Discussion
Alternative options not selected include:
- Merging with Another Foundation: While this could provide access to additional resources, it carries risks such as loss of autonomy and potential conflicts of interest.
- Liquidating the Endowment: This would provide immediate cash flow but would permanently eliminate the foundation's ability to provide long-term support for the community.
Key assumptions underlying the recommendations include:
- Economic Recovery: The recommendations assume a gradual economic recovery, allowing the foundation to achieve its investment goals.
- Donor Support: The recommendations rely on continued donor support and the ability to attract new donors.
- Community Engagement: The recommendations assume a willingness from community members to actively participate in the foundation's initiatives.
8. Next Steps
To implement these recommendations, ACCF should:
- Form a Task Force: Establish a task force comprised of board members, staff, and community representatives to oversee the implementation of the recommendations.
- Develop a Detailed Action Plan: Create a detailed action plan outlining specific steps, timelines, and responsibilities for each recommendation.
- Secure Funding: Seek funding for necessary resources, such as hiring additional staff, conducting market research, and implementing new technology.
- Monitor Progress: Regularly monitor progress towards achieving the recommendations' goals and make adjustments as needed.
By taking these steps, ACCF can ensure a successful transition and secure its future as a vital resource for the Arbor City community.
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Case Description
The Arbor City Community Foundation (ACCF) was a medium-sized endowment established in Illinois in the late 1970s through the hard work of several local families. The vision of the ACCF was to be a comprehensive center for philanthropy in the greater Arbor City region. ACCF had a fund balance (known collectively as "the fund") of just under $240 million. The ACCF board of trustees had appointed a committee to oversee investment decisions relating to the foundation assets. The investment committee, under the guidance of the board, pursued an active risk-management policy for the fund. The committee members were primarily concerned with the volatility and distribution of portfolio returns. They relied on the value-at-risk (VaR) methodology as a measurement of the risk of both short- and mid-term investment losses. The questions in Part (A) of the case direct the students to analyze the risk inherent in both one particular asset and the entire ACCF portfolio. For this analysis the students need to calculate daily VaR and monthly VaR values and interpret these figures in the context of ACCF's risk management. In Part (B) the foundation receives a major donation. As a result, the risk inherent in its portfolio changes considerably. The students are asked to evaluate the risk of the fund's new portfolio and to perform a portfolio rebalancing analysis.
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