Linking past, present, and future: developing a strategic vision for the East Hawaii Cultural Center
Partner organization: East Hawaii Cultural Center
Team members: Chase Gaudino (chemical engineering ’21); Serena Raso (electrical and computer engineering ’21); Laynie Rosati (mechanical engineering ’21); Maye Walsh-Costello (mathematics ’21)
Executive Summary: For our project, we worked with the East Hawai‘i Cultural Center (EHCC) in Hilo, Hawai‘i. The EHCC is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support cultural diversity within the community by hosting programs, exhibitions, and performances. Our goal was to provide strategic directions for the EHCC to increase its effectiveness in achieving its mission and boost volunteerism, with special emphasis on the potential for increased grant-seeking success. To achieve our goal, we established three objectives: 1. Assess the Effectiveness of the Organization; 2. Investigate Successful Strategies for Nonprofits Seeking Additional Funding Resources; 3. Develop a Toolkit for the EHCC to Use in Future Funding Opportunities.
To achieve Objective 1, we interviewed each board member to get a better understanding of their role within the everyday operations and how they contribute to furthering the EHCC’s mission. We asked a wide variety of questions that ranged from describing their position and length of time they have served to obstacles they face within their position and as a board. We asked more detailed financial questions to board members whose positions deal with money more frequently, in order to provide us with a better understanding of the board members’ experience with obtaining future funding. This then allowed us to create a deliverable tailored to what the EHCC needs so they can further work on their areas of improvement.
To achieve Objective 2, we contacted other nonprofits in Hawai‘i to compare financial strategies and organizational fundraising efforts. We also asked questions regarding the internal framework of the organizations. In addition to contacting comparable nonprofits, we researched and attempted to contact some of the top funding organizations for Hawai‘i. Within our research, we identified multiple appropriate funding sources and categorized them into four domains.
To achieve Objective 3, we created a grants toolkit using the information gained in our interviews, research, and observations. Throughout the process of developing the toolkit, we determined Google Drive to be the most accessible and user-friendly platform for the EHCC. The development of a grants toolkit will allow the EHCC to keep all documents needed to apply for grants in one place and stay more organized in the future.
Results
Assessing the Effectiveness of the Organization
Through our interviews with the board members, we learned about the organizational structure of the center and the attitudes that the board members have towards it. The board members told us about their most rewarding experiences working with the EHCC and were consistent in how they viewed the organization’s mission. The EHCC’s financial status was discussed, and all of the board members mentioned funding as an obstacle keeping them from performing at their best. Finally, we learned about the EHCC’s current process for obtaining and overseeing members and volunteers. Currently, the EHCC does not actively seek out new members or collect feedback from current ones. They also do not recruit volunteers or have a designated volunteer coordinator position.
Investigating Successful Strategies for Nonprofits Seeking Additional Funding
After attempting to connect with four nonprofits, we were able to successfully interview two—Friends of the Palace Theater and Volcano Art Center (VAC). We met with the Executive Director at Friends of the Palace Theater, Phillips Payson, and he provided us with helpful insight into volunteering, budgeting, and marketing. We spoke with Jesse Tunison from VAC, and he provided information on grant writing, membership and volunteering.
When identifying potential funding organizations, we found it most practical to categorize the organizations into four domains—Youth and Education, Environment, Building and Maintenance, and Community and Arts. Each of these domains align with what the EHCC is currently eligible to receive funding for.
Develop a Toolkit for the EHCC to Use in Future Funding Opportunities
We identified a number of components that should be included in an effective grants toolkit. This decision was based on information we found in the nonprofit’s previous databases, and research we had done on specific grant organizations and their application processes. The toolkit has three main folders—the Boilerplate, Financial Information, and Funding Opportunities.
Synthesis and Recommendation
We designed the grants toolkit to be a resource that will make the grant-writing process simpler by making it as easy to navigate as possible while still including all of the necessary information needed to apply to various grants. The effectiveness of the toolkit was confirmed when we trained some of the board members in using it and they expressed their excitement towards how useful it will be for them.
Recommendations Regarding Funding and the Grants Toolkit
In order for the toolkit to continue to be a useful resource for the EHCC, we recommend that the board members keep all of their financial, historical, and organizational documents organized in the toolkit. This will both prevent the toolkit from becoming obsolete and also provide a space where all of the EHCC’s files are organized and maintained. In order to ensure this, we also recommend that the EHCC designates at least two affiliates to be committed to being experts and keeping the toolkit up-to-date. In addition, we suggest the EHCC utilize Carol Walker’s grant-writing experience and designate her as the EHCC’s official grant writer.
Recommendations Regarding the Recruitment of Volunteers
Because the EHCC has both a limited number of staff and a limited budget, increasing the number of volunteers has the potential to make a large difference. We recommend that the EHCC utilizes the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo and creates a volunteer pipeline through the contacts we have created with the university. In order to ensure that these potential volunteers keep high retention rates, the EHCC should appoint one board member as volunteer coordinator. This role would be responsible for keeping in contact with the university, overseeing the volunteers’ tasks, and maintaining positive relationships with them.
Recommendations Regarding Increasing Use of Social Media Outreach and Marketing
Based on preliminary research and supporting evidence from a comparable nonprofit, we believe there is a correlation between the success of a nonprofit and the extent of that nonprofit’s outreach to different audiences. For this reason, we recommend that a member of the EHCC’s staff takes the time to learn about how to navigate social media, so that person can then be the sole keeper of the accounts. These accounts can be used to share the events and programs of the EHCC with an ever-growing network of connections.