The P.L.A.Y. Initiative : Mariposa Kids' 18-Month Strategy
In July 2022, our Board of Directors approved The P.L.A.Y. Initiative - Mariposa Kid's 18-month strategic initiative focused on strengthening the foundation of the organization for our future and deepening our impact in the community.
This first iteration of the initiative will take place from July 2022 - December 2023.
SUMMARY
Mariposa Kids successfully survived a global pandemic with the support of the families and staff, and was able to fully reopen for in-person learning in the 2021-22 school year. Through sound fiscal policy and budgeting, Mariposa Kids found itself with a healthy reserve in 2021 for the first time in recent history. In the spring of 2022, the Board of Directors approved a "Designated Operating Reserve Policy" to support strategic business practices while balancing sound fiscal needs like cash flow and reduced borrowing needs. At this time all of our fiscal commitments, obligations, and other contingencies are met and we carry no organizational debt.
This policy also outlines what excess reserve levels are for Mariposa Kids. In spring 2022, a quarterly analyzation by the Executive Director and Board determined that excess reserves sat in our accounts and a strategic use of the funds would need to be explored. In summer 2022, the Board of Directors
agreed upon The P.L.A.Y. Initiative to mobilize the excess reserve funds into action for the future wellbeing and growth of the organization, centering the Mission, Vision & Values of the organization and focusing around the concept of strengthening our foundation.
KEY GOALS OF INITIATIVE:
AREAS OF ACTION:
INITIAL INVESTMENT: $35,000 (Including $5,000 from fundraising in 2022 and $5,000 in 2023)
Mariposa Kids successfully survived a global pandemic with the support of the families and staff, and was able to fully reopen for in-person learning in the 2021-22 school year. Through sound fiscal policy and budgeting, Mariposa Kids found itself with a healthy reserve in 2021 for the first time in recent history. In the spring of 2022, the Board of Directors approved a "Designated Operating Reserve Policy" to support strategic business practices while balancing sound fiscal needs like cash flow and reduced borrowing needs. At this time all of our fiscal commitments, obligations, and other contingencies are met and we carry no organizational debt.
This policy also outlines what excess reserve levels are for Mariposa Kids. In spring 2022, a quarterly analyzation by the Executive Director and Board determined that excess reserves sat in our accounts and a strategic use of the funds would need to be explored. In summer 2022, the Board of Directors
agreed upon The P.L.A.Y. Initiative to mobilize the excess reserve funds into action for the future wellbeing and growth of the organization, centering the Mission, Vision & Values of the organization and focusing around the concept of strengthening our foundation.
KEY GOALS OF INITIATIVE:
- Understanding our community impact and deepening its value proposition
- Strengthening our core business practices
- Preparing our organization for growth and broader community impact
AREAS OF ACTION:
- P : PROGRAMS - Evaluate the impact of our programs and create a Theory of Change
- L : LEADERS - Launch Leaders of the Future, a program for contributing to the pipeline of educators and non-profit professionals
- A : ANALYSES - Review and update standard administrative practices of the organization
- Y: YEARS AHEAD - Invest in infrastructure and technology updates and additional staff training
INITIAL INVESTMENT: $35,000 (Including $5,000 from fundraising in 2022 and $5,000 in 2023)
In December 2022, Mariposa Kids publicly released its new Theory of Change as a part of the "P" in the P.L.A.Y. Initiative. Our Theory of Change helps guide our strategy and means of evaluating our programs and their impact. You can read our full Theory of Change Narrative here.
