Foundation Strategic PLan

The vision of the Parkland College Foundation is to advance the mission of Parkland College through strategic philanthropy, responsible stewardship, and dynamic partnerships that transform lives and strengthen our community.

Pillar 1: Enhance Foundation Governance and Capacity

Three-Year Vision
Strengthen the Parkland College Foundation's governance, leadership, and organizational capacity to operate as a strategic philanthropic partner that models accountability, inspires giving, and ensures long-term sustainability. 

​ Goal 1: Strengthen and sustain an engaged, high-performing board
  • Redefine board purpose and expectations to include active participation in fundraising, stewardship, and ambassadorial roles.
  • Develop a structured onboarding and orientation process for new members, including Foundation history, financials, and fundraising expectations.
  • Implement annual board self-assessment to evaluate effectiveness, engagement, and readiness to evolve into a more strategic, philanthropic body.
  • Align committee structure with strategic priorities to maximize board engagement.
  • Provide periodic board education sessions on philanthropy, investment strategy, and Foundation impact.
  • Develop and implement a strategic board recruitment and succession plan focused on diversity of expertise, community influence, and philanthropic capacity.
Goal 2: Strengthen organizational policies, governance practices, and accountability
  • Conduct a full policy audit to identify outdated, redundant, or missing policies.
  • Establish a governance calendar that ensures routine review of bylaws, charters, and policy compliance.
  • Develop and maintain a risk management framework to guide oversight and decision-making.
  • Integrate key performance indicators into board and committee reporting to support data-driven governance.
  • Review and update investment policy and spending policy to ensure best practices and alignment with long-term goals.
Goal 3: Build internal capacity for operational excellence and financial stewardship
  • Invest in staff and professional development to align expertise with fundraising and financial growth.
  • Implement financial and investment dashboards for board transparency and decision-making.
  • Maintain operational excellence through compliance, transparency, and forward planning.
  • Create a sustainability plan outlining multiyear financial and staffing projections to support Foundation growth.
Goal 4: Establish a culture of philanthropy and active engagement
  • Enhance communication between board, staff, and college leadership to promote collaboration and trust.
  • Prioritize strategic discussion and learning during board meetings over operational reporting.
  • Celebrate board achievements and recognize outstanding board service.
  • Provide opportunities for informal board connection and appreciation to foster positivity and relationship building.

Pillar 2: Deepen Institutional Partnership and Alignment

Three-Year Vision
Position the Parkland College Foundation as a trusted and proactive partner to Parkland College, aligning fundraising priorities, communication, and planning efforts to advance shared goals, enhance student success, and maximize community impact. 

Goal 1: Deepen alignment with Parkland College’s strategic priorities and leadership
  •  Establish joint planning sessions between Foundation and College leadership to identify annual fundraising priorities and shared outcomes.
  • Develop a framework for evaluating fundraising initiatives through the lens of college impact, feasibility, and mission alignment.
  • Create an annual Funding Priorities Report to communicate key college initiatives to donors and community stakeholders.
  • Integrate Foundation goals and outcomes into the College’s broader strategic and operational planning process.
  • Create an annual joint impact statement with the Office of the President to highlight progress toward shared goals.
Goal 2: Strengthen collaboration with academic and student service units
  • Build relationships with deans, department chairs, and program directors to identify emerging funding opportunities.
  • Build a philanthropic partnership with Parkland Athletics to strengthen student-athlete support, enhance facilities, and expand donor engagement.
  • Collaborate with Student Services, Financial Aid, and other student success teams to identify and address student needs that philanthropy can help meet.
  • Provide Philanthropy in Action updates to faculty and staff to help understand how Foundation support advances student and program success.
Goal 3: Build mutual accountability and trust through transparency and shared success
  • Develop shared performance metrics that track how philanthropic support contributes to college outcomes.
  • Ensure two-way communication between Foundation Board and Board of Trustees, fostering shared understanding of priorities and opportunities.
  • Collaborate with the College’s marketing and communications team to promote milestones and donor stories through coordinated campaigns.
  • Celebrate collaborative milestones publicly to reinforce trust and visibility, and institutional pride.

Pillar 3: Increase Fundraising and Revenue Growth

Three-Year Vision
Position the Parkland College Foundation for long-term financial sustainability by growing philanthropic revenue, strengthening the endowment, and building the internal capacity necessary to operate independently of college budget support, while establishing Parkland as a visible leader in regional philanthropy and community investment.

Goal 1: Expand and diversify the Foundation’s revenue stream
  • Broaden the philanthropic portfolio to include major gifts, annual giving, corporate and foundation partnerships, and planned giving.
  • Pursue opportunities that balance short-term fundraising results with long-term sustainability and unrestricted support.
  • Align fundraising initiatives with institutional priorities and measurable community impact.
  • Monitor revenue diversification and progress toward long-term growth goals.
  • Position the Parkland College Foundation as a trusted philanthropic partner and thought leader in the regional nonprofit community. 
Goal 2: Strengthen endowment growth and investment performance
  • Prioritize endowment building as cornerstone of financial sustainability and predictable revenue.
  • Establish multiyear targets for endowment growth that align with scholarship, program, and capital needs.
  • Maintain and periodically review the investment policy to ensure prudent growth, risk management.
  • Communicate the impact of endowment earnings to donors, reinforcing confidence in the Foundation’s stewardship.
Goal 3: Build operational and financial independence.
  • Develop long-range business model that reduces reliance on college funding for Foundation operations.
  • Grow unrestricted and administrative support revenue to sustain staff positions, technology, and professional development.
  • Strengthen financial forecasting and reserve policies to ensure long-term stability.
  • Invest in staffing and systems that align with professionalism and growth.
Goal 4: Foster a culture of philanthropy and accountability in fundraising leadership
  • Reinforce the board’s shared responsibility for philanthropic growth through education, engagement, and transparent reporting. 
  • Ensure all fundraising strategies reflect ethical standards, donor intent, and measurable outcomes. 
  • Celebrate donor and volunteer contributions that advance the college’s mission and strengthen the Foundation’s reputation. 
  • Champion Parkland’s role as a community leader in advancing access, opportunity, and education through philanthropy. 

Pillar 4: Expand Community and Donor Engagement

Three-Year Vision
Elevate the Parkland College Foundation’s visibility and influence by strengthening community partnerships, expanding donor engagement opportunities, and showcasing the transformational impact of philanthropy across Parkland’s programs and cultural assets.  

Goal 1: Increase Foundation visibility and presence in the broader community
  • Position the Foundation as a convener and philanthropic leader that connects community generosity with local impact.
  • Strengthen partnerships with civic, business, and community organizations to expand awareness of Parkland’s role in workforce development, culture, and access to education.
  • Leverage community-facing programs, such as the Planetarium, Theater, Art Gallery, Athletics, and College for Kids, as platforms to engage donors and new audiences.
  • Collaborate with the college marketing department to ensure consistent, mission-driven messaging that elevates the Foundation’s public profile.
Goal 2: Deepen relationships with donors and community partners
  • Create meaningful opportunities for donors to experience their impact firsthand through campus events, tours, and recognition experiences.
  • Ensure stewardship practices communicate impact and build long-term trust.
  • Celebrate philanthropy publicly to reinforce Parkland’s role as a trusted community asset.
  • Engage alumni as community ambassadors and potential partners in advancing the mission of Parkland College.
Goal 3: Amplify the case for support through community impact storytelling
  • Use the Foundation’s platform to highlight how philanthropy fuels programs that enrich community life.
  • Partner with academic and program leaders to identify stories that demonstrate how donor generosity advances access and innovation.
  • Showcase community partnerships and outcomes that reinforce Parkland’s role as a trusted, high-impact investment.
  • Collaborate with college communications to ensure consistent messaging that links community impact to philanthropic opportunity.