AmeriCorp VISTA Development VISTA (PAID)

Save to Favorites

Goal of the Project: The Development Specialist VISTA member will build organizational capacity of Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association (CMFCAA) through researching and cultivating funding for at risk children in the CMFCAA service area. As a result of the VISTA member’s service, CMFCAA will have the funding to develop sustainable foster, adoptive, kinship parent, donor, and volunteer programs. These results will allow CMFCAA to impact poverty by reducing the Adverse Childhood Effects (ACE) score that clients experience by preventing reoccurring trauma associated with patterns of abuse for foster and adoptive children.

Objective of the Assignment (Period of Performance: 8.1.20 - 9.15.21) Assess the current state of Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association’s mission, programs, clients, and volunteers served. Member Activity: Research the history of CMFCAA and the clients served. Member Activity: Develop understanding of clients and legal framework of foster care and adoption in Missouri through local and community training. Member Activity: Develop understanding of CMFCAA programs and best practices based on client surveys, professed needs, and state and national standards and research. Member Activity: Research the current state of CMFCAA’s fund development strategic plan, grant writing procedures, foster, adoptive, and kinship parent concierge service, and referral systems as well as best practices in the field of information tracking for trauma and abuse prevention. Based on this report, identify strengths and weaknesses of CMFCAA’s current fund development strategy, and make a plan for improvement.

Objective of the Assignment Assess the current state of CMFCAA’s fund development strategic plan, donor capacity, donor outreach procedures, and donor management systems. Member Activity: Research best practices for developing and implementing a fund development plan. Member Activity: Research best practices for communicating with donors, grantors, and community financial supporters. Member Activity: Work with the CMFCAA Fund Development Strategic Plan team to determine priorities and steps taken to date. Member Activity: Based on the above, identify strengths and challenges of CMFCAA’s current fund development plan and make plan for improvement.