First Steps Training & Development, Inc. (800) SUSTAINABILITY PLANNING Ensuring the Long-Term Growth and Vitality of Your Ministry

First Steps Training & Development, Inc. (800) How Would You Answer? Provide a plan for continuing/sustaining the Program after grant funding ends. Include specific steps that will be taken to find/provide the necessary resource base for your program.Provide a plan for continuing/sustaining the Program after grant funding ends. Include specific steps that will be taken to find/provide the necessary resource base for your program.

First Steps Training & Development, Inc. (800) Guiding Principles Bottom Line FocusBottom Line Focus Results FocusResults Focus Systems FocusSystems Focus God wants you to succeedGod wants you to succeed

First Steps Training & Development, Inc. (800) Definitions sus·tain (s-stn) tr.v. sus·tained, sus·tain·ing, sus·tains To keep in existence; maintainTo keep in existence; maintain To supply with necessities or nourishment; provide for.To supply with necessities or nourishment; provide for. To support from below; keep from falling or sinking; prop.To support from below; keep from falling or sinking; prop. To support the spirits, vitality, or resolution of; encourage.To support the spirits, vitality, or resolution of; encourage. [Middle English sustenen, from Old French sustenir, from Latin sustinre : sub-, from below; see sub- + tenre, to hold; see ten- in Indo-European Roots.] - sus·taina·bili·ty n. / sus·taina·ble adj. / sus·tainer n. / sus·tainment n.

First Steps Training & Development, Inc. (800) Definitions II Sustainability Plan A clear, sensible, convincing plan for assembling and connecting the key elements necessary for long-term growth and organizational excellence.A clear, sensible, convincing plan for assembling and connecting the key elements necessary for long-term growth and organizational excellence.

First Steps Training & Development, Inc. (800) Sustainability: Key Elements 1.Compelling Vision 2.Strong (Internal) Leadership 3.(External) Champions and Decision-Makers 4.Effective Internal Systems 5.Results Orientation

First Steps Training & Development, Inc. (800) Sustainability: Key Elements 6.Broad Base of Community Support 7.Diverse, Multiple Funding Sources 8.Fiscal Stewardship 9.Adaptability

First Steps Training & Development, Inc. (800) Process: Preparation 1.Organization Assessment a)Internal Documentation b)Board / Staff Survey and Interviews c)Client Input Sessions 2.External Assessment a)Community Needs b)Community Assets c)Sector Trends d)Best Practices e)Current “Forces”

First Steps Training & Development, Inc. (800) Process: Analysis Current State of the Organization 1.Key Strengths 2.Key Opportunities for Improvement (OFI) 3.Strategic Challenges

First Steps Training & Development, Inc. (800) Process: Planning 1.Vision, Or “Where do we want to be?” 2.Strategic Directions, Or “How will we get there?” 3.Gap Analysis/Capability Review, Or “Do we have what we need to accomplish the strategies? If not, how will we access it?” 4.Action Timelines, Or “Who will do what, when?” 5.Benchmarks and Feedback Loops, Or “How will we know if we are making progress?”

First Steps Training & Development, Inc. (800) Implementation Working Your PlanWorking Your Plan Feedback Loops/Internal AccountabilityFeedback Loops/Internal Accountability Plan Revision (On the Fly)Plan Revision (On the Fly) Outside AssistanceOutside Assistance –Monitoring –Coaching Measurable ResultsMeasurable Results

First Steps Training & Development, Inc. (800) Additional Resources CTC Sustainability Toolkit Kit/index.shtmlCTC Sustainability Toolkit Kit/index.shtml Sustaining Comprehensive Community Initiatives (The Finance Project) Comprehensive Community Initiatives (The Finance Project) The Afterschool Alliance’s Sustainability Workbook Afterschool Alliance’s Sustainability Workbook The Mississippi Quality Awards Mississippi Quality Awards