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Voices for Georgia’s children

Vibert Jacob

South University

May 28, 2018

History and mission statement, main program activities

Voices for Georgia’s Children are a non-profit organization, which was established in 2003. The organization focuses on promoting the physical and emotional well-being of children through education, convening and engagement (Voices, 2018). The Voices’ program activities involve Georgia Child Advocacy Learning Lab, Pre-K centers, Voices Blog, and research programs targeting child-serving policies (Voices, 2018). The Voice’s mission statement states:

“The mission of Voices is to promote equity, quality, and accessibility in systems created to serve children’s needs. Our work advances policies and implementation actions that ensure the best possible outcomes for children.”

Five fundraising principles and their effects on the organization

The five major fundraising principles guides non-profit organizations such as the Voices for Georgia’s children to source the much-needed financial aid. The first principle is people give to people to help people, which entail extending aid to others in order to inspire them to give in return. This principle is influential to the mission and vision of Voices for Georgia’s children because they advocate for policies that affect the well-being of children. One of the initiatives by the organization is the Georgia Child Advocacy Learning Lab (GA-CALL) (Voices, 2018). It is a network that promotes policy development in order to promote the well-being of children and their families in Georgia (Voices, 2018). Thus, any funds raised must be directed to their mission. The second principle is people give relative to their means, which implies that people are able to give something depending on their capabilities. In this regard, Voices of Georgia’s children engage in many activities that deal with early childhood, child health, and the youth. The organization deals with mostly political leadership who are capable of mobilizing significant funds because of their political influence. The third principle is those closest must set the pace, in which one must be a good example to all others. The Voices of Georgia’s Children epitomizes this through their vision and mission statements. One of their frameworks is the Zero to Five Policy which focuses on three areas, family supports, good health and earl care and learning (Voices, 2018). This inspires their partners to participate as they pave the way. The fourth principle is successful fundraising, which basically means that most of the fundraising goals have been met. Most people are able to support a cause if every fundraising event raises enough funds to bring real change. The Voices succeeds in inspiring such donors, because since 2003, they are still relevant in promoting the well-being of children. One of the legislative positions of the organization is ensure adequate funding to promote child-serving government systems (Voices, 2018). The fifth principle is the 80/20 rule is becoming the 90/10 rule. In this regard, the shift to 90/10 ensures that 10% of one’s activities attribute to 90% of activities. The Voice’s focuses on mobilizing support from the leadership which has helped it established its various programs such as Georgia Child Advocacy Lab and the Voice blog, which offers the audience an update on legislations (Voices, 2018).

Funding priorities

The funding priorities of the Voices of Georgia’s children fall under the state and federal positions. Under the state, one of the priorities is to promote systems and funding to protect foster children from abuse, while the second is to avail adequate funding to strengthen child-serving government systems (Voices, 2018). Under the federal position, one of the priorities is to avail sufficient funding for Pediatric Residency programs in Georgia while another is to avail adequate funding for the afterschool Georgia programs (Voices, 2018). Currently, the organization has not posted any specific amounts in dollars it needs to raise. However, in 2017, it was among four non-profit organizations in Georgia to be awarded a donation of $ 1.45 million (Georgia Organics, 2017).

SWOT analysis

The Voices for Georgia’s children benefits from the SWOT analysis since it helps it position itself strategically to source adequate funds and promote its main agenda. The first component is strength, which entails an internal characteristic of an organization that adds value. Voices’ has a strength that is encompassed in its mission and vision statement. This has been the organization’s blue print since 2003 and has helped it make the achievements it has made. The second component is weakness, which is an internal characteristic that erodes an organizations advantage over others. One of the weaknesses of Voices for Georgia’s children is its internal leadership. The third component is opportunities, which entail external elements that offer an organization the chance to outshine others. In this regard, Voices has the opportunity to extend its funding and networks to other states through its website and publications. The fourth component is threats which are external elements that weaken the success of an organization. The organization faces the threat of fluctuations in business conditions which might increase its overhead costs. Overall, the SWOT analysis is encompassing as it helps to evaluate the projected successes and failures of the Voices. The analysis enables an organization to have focus and an action plans (Joseph, 2015).

SWOT analysis of fundraising activities

The Voices of Georgia’s children have several fundraising activities including individual contributions, grants, and extraordinary events. The SWOT analysis offers an insight into how the organization is positioned in its fundraising efforts. The first component is strength, in which the organization positions itself better. For instance, in their website they have a section that allows individual donations, which encourages people to contribute anonymously. The organization also relies on grants, which offer it adequate funds to run its operations. In 2017, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation donated a grant of $ 1.45 million to the Voices and three other organizations in Georgia (Georgia Organics, 2017). This will certainly help the organization to promote physical health of children. The second component is weakness, which limits the organization’s ability to raise funds. One of the weaknesses of its fundraising efforts mostly has to do with its special events such as Big Voice Awards (Voices, 2018). This is because such events tend to lock out most people because of the entry and meal tickets. Most people prefer to maintain anonymity when donating. The third component is opportunities which the three funding activities offer. In terms of individual contributions there is an opportunity to source more funds from people in other states without any charges. The special events and grants also offer the opportunity to bring in an audience such as foreign dignitaries who might have visited its website. The fourth component is threats, which might limit its funding. The grants also face the threat of tax in case the government decides to lift the tax relief on donations. The individual contributions face the threat of cybercrime whereby their donors’ personal information might be hacked.

SWOT analysis of its fundraising priorities

The fundraising priorities of the Voices encompass the state and federal level. This is strength in that it has already established strong networks with leadership ensuring that it always has access to partnerships and funding. Its mission and vision statements align with these priorities. On the other hand, its priorities face the weakness of inadequate internal leadership which most non-profits grapples with. As it grows, the Voices need to strengthen its leadership to ensure its funding does not run out. The threats the organization faces are from other organizations that have the same funding priorities. Currently, there are several organizations in Georgia that target children’s well- being such as Quality Care for Children. Fortunately, there are opportunities, which the organization can take up such as working with the United Children’s Emergency Fund. Who have more power to raise adequate funds for children? Even better, America is a member state of the United Nations. In case, the organization is capable of raising the funds, it can further ensure children do not face abuse, are able to gain quality education, and their families live a stable life. However, if the Voices fail to raise the specified funds, it will limit its mission and vision. In this regard, their advocacy efforts for children’s education and social justice will be limited. In the end, children who are the most vulnerable group will suffer.

Case statement

The Voices of Georgia’s Children focuses on a policy and advocacy framework, which promotes our four areas of focus. They include improve children’s access to quality healthcare, promote out-of-school opportunities, promote child welfare systems and improve economic well-being of children and families. The investment in fundraising and communications expertise comes as Voices seeks to deepen its bench of policy analysts; broaden its communication outreach to Georgia policy makers, community leaders and its network statewide; and raise Georgia’s profile as a national role-model in behavioral health, juvenile justice, early childhood development and other policy areas that advance children’s well-being (Voices, 2018).

References

Georgia Organics. (2017). Four Georgia nonprofits receive $1.45 million to help Georgia’s youngest children eat farm-fresh food. Retrieved from https://georgiaorganics.org/four/georgia-nonprofits-receive-1-45-million-help-georgias-youngest-children-eat-farm-fresh-food/

Joseph, J. (2015). A SWOT analysis provides a full picture when looking at a product and a brand. Retrieved from https://www.entrepreneur.com/artcile/246434

Voices. (2018). Voices. Retrieved from http//Georgia.org/about/