Foundation Challenge an exploration of a not for profit business This computer simulation gives you and the others: an opportunity to manage a not for profit foundation dedicated to advancing and supporting enterprise making decisions as part of a small team covering: –Obtaining & deploying funds –Managing & providing Human Resources –Managing several initiatives your objective is to make your foundation a success

The Simulation This activity consists of three stages: –Preparation –Decision-making –Review Preparation –familiarisation & organisation –deciding strategies & objectives Decision-making –submit decisions –effect simulated –get & review results Review –discuss & compare results

Learning through Simulation You will be working in small groups so that you can: –Share knowledge & experience –Promote, present and negotiate ideas –But, not rely on preconceived ones The trainer is there to: –Answer your questions –Coach you –Challenge you –But not tell you what to do You are in charge of the learning process

Information To help you run your business you have these sources of information: –this briefing –a written brief –a year’s operating history And, as the simulation progresses, –your operating results But, like the real world, this information will not be complete or unambiguous

The Situation the foundation is endowed with funds but can obtain additional corporate sponsorship and government grants is involved with four initiatives and is investigating a fifth employs three types of staff but can call on volunteers to help You will run the foundation for several periods, each of which represents one quarter’s operation

The Initiatives You are currently initiatives involved with these initiatives: –Schools’ Conferences –Minority Events –Training Courses –Consultancy Support And are considering constructing & renting –Incubator Units

Human Resources You employ and manage: –Marketing Staff –Advisers –Administration Staff And can call on non-paid –Volunteers Marketing & Admin. Staff are full time Advisers work part time (20 days a quarter) And, volunteers give a day each quarter

Funding Streams Besides the foundation’s endowment it can obtain funds through: –Corporate Sponsorship –Government Grants These funds may be: –Hypothecated to specific initiatives –Non-hypothecated for general use

Decisions Each period you influence your results by deciding: Staff to Hire (or Fire) Initiative Maximums Marketing Time (for initiatives and funding) Constructing & Renting Incubator Units Use the decision form supplied and complete it carefully and legibly and hand to the simulation controller at the specified times.

Results After submitting your decisions you will receive the following results: –Initiatives Report –Staffing Report –Staff Work –Income & Cost Summary –Future Hypothecated Funds –Future Funding –Public Relations Research

Measures of Success It is up to you to decide these but we suggest that you consider: –maintaining a presence in all initiatives –conserving the Foundation’s funds –benefiting the greatest number –operating effectively and efficiently Later the Foundation’s non-executive board (the trainer) will ask you for further details.

Observations it takes time to understand but the Foundation still must be run therefore your decisions will not be perfect time will be a constraint by the end you should (just) be in charge of your business your management skills will be challenged remember the purpose is to learn! (rather than just to win!) and you are in charge of this (but we’re here to help) so, take time to reflect & review and ask for help and have fun!