case study: global foundation

Large global Foundation prepares for growth.

Challenge:

As a large global foundation in the Pacific Northwest finalized strategic plans for significant growth, the foundation’s executive leadership team identified a need to develop the organization’s operational effectiveness as it moved these strategies into action. They knew that in order to execute the strategies effectively, the organization’s teams must work collaboratively with a clear understanding of staff roles, grant processes, and program objectives. The Foundation’s goal was to enable the organization to operate at a high- performance level, while achieving the required scale. To facilitate this transformation, the Foundation selected Waldron for the firm’s business-based organization development approach.

Solution:

Waldron developed a twelve-month, six-phase Organization Effectiveness Plan focused on three variables of performance – organization, people, and processes. Holistic in nature, the project required collaboration with all levels of staff from the executive leadership team, comprised of the CEO and five Foundation directors, to programmatic and functional staff throughout the organization.

First, Waldron worked with the executive leadership team to design and implement the Organization Effectiveness Plan’s rollout, aligning and engaging the staff on the project. After analyzing each program’s structure and work flows, the Waldron team collaborated with the individual groups to design improved work flows, creating the desired capacity and resulting in more effective grant-making practices and grantee accountability systems. Informed by one-on-one interviews and assessments with current employees in each program, the firm redefined job roles and responsibilities and determined future staffing requirements to prepare for the Foundation’s expansion. Engaging the Foundation’s executive leadership team, Waldron helped refine critical functions enabling the Foundation to recruit and hire diverse and talented professionals as well as optimize staff performance. To improve the Foundation’s leadership capacity and performance, Waldron consultants coached key executives, directors, and program managers, utilizing leadership profiles and other assessment tools.

Results:

As a result of the collaboration with Waldron, the Foundation was prepared to execute its long-term strategic plan and was well positioned for successful, extraordinary growth. Since the project’s inception, the Foundation more than doubled its annual giving, solidifying its distinction as one of the world’s largest philanthropic organizations. Due to its exceptional leadership and strong commitment to continuously improving the organization’s effectiveness, the Foundation is now equipped to make an unprecedented impact on the global community.