I had a conversation today with a consultant who works with organizations and executives on strategic planning and leadership, and it got some ideas swirling in my head. We talked a bit about what my long term vision for the Foundation is, how we work with non-profits, how we keep the team’s morale up during the tough economy and what we want to leave behind when our time is done here.
That’s a lot to think about, let alone absorb and comment on in a meaningful way, during a brief conversation - or a blog post. But the discussion circled back several times to the way an individual looks at their own position - both with relation to other people and other organizations. I hope I never start making the mistake of thinking people who work for nonprofits and whom I’ve never seen before are exceptionally nice to me because of me, rather than because the position I am lucky enough to hold.
If the people who work with me have a heart, it’s relatively easy to keep them motivated. Sure, like everyone, we have our ups and downs, but it is very easy for us to remember the difference we make during the work day - every day. We are helping people have homes to live, stay in their homes and have safer, more vibrant neighborhoods. There is no doubt we actually change people’s lives - thousands of people every year. In just 2009 alone, we gave $75 million in cash and products to over 3,500 nonprofit organizations. Wow. No one here is just stuffing a check into an overnight envelope - they are truly sending hope to another person.
And while I always want us to remember what we are accomplishing, I don’t want us to stop trying to do better. As important as what we do is, what we don’t do and what we could have done are even more important. I’m always watchful for the lost opportunity. We have an awesome responsibility to invest our funds in our communities in the way that will provide the best outcomes for the most people. We all need to be mindful that what we have done is great - amazing even - but that we can always do more.
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Dear Ms. Caffarilli:
I was wondering if Home Depot Foundation would be interested in investing support in cultural institutions that are a vital part of strong communities, particularly, if they are incorporating green planning to reduce operating costs and increase sustainability. The poor economy has pushed back critical maintenance and upgrading needed by many small and mid -sized organizations, especially those serving minority communities. Major comprehensive institutions with large capital needs syphon most of the available dollars for construction and renovation.
My organization is in the process of restoring a nationally historic firehouse, which has been our home for public programming and youth training. Our green planning and adaptive reuse as as a multicultural, multimedia center has potential to serve as a national model and needed example of how one turns a challenge into a opportunity for long-term maintenance and sustainability with enhance adaptability and lower operating costs.
Allan L. Edmunds
President
Brandywine Workshop
Philadelphia, PA