Strategic plan 2014 (2)

Strategic Plan 2015

Mission and Values  AWARE rehabilitates Georgia’s injured or orphaned wildlife

and educates the community on habitat preservation and peaceful coexistence  Values: 

We accept all native wildlife in need

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We treat all wildlife in our care humanely and responsibly

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We engage, educate and inspire our community to take action to preserve wildlife and its habitat

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We embrace collaboration, partnering with other organizations to efficiently and effectively fulfill our mission

Operational Overview  Founded by Michael Ellis in 2006 and qualifies as a 501(3)c organization  Operates 365 days per year and is unique in accepting all species of native wildlife  Treats approximately 1,800 animals and responds to 10,000 calls and emails about native

wildlife annually  Resides on 7 acres at a facility in Arabia Mountain Park in Lithonia, GA  Employs 5 staff members and more than 70 dedicated volunteers  Increased revenue in 2013 by 38%, 2014 is up another 65%  Receives governance from an active Board of Directors

2015 Strategic Focus Summary  Continue building a strong foundation of financial

stability and organizational capability that will allow for greater impact 

Improve fundraising initiatives and programs to reach a targeted but wider audience

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Enhance education programs to inspire youth and the Georgia community to appreciate wildlife and be responsible environmental stewards, supporting habitat preservation

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Improve organizational communications

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Expand partnerships and coalitions to support rehabilitation and education efforts

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Increase and equip the volunteer base to support higher levels of animal rehabilitation and education programs

2015 Strategy Continue building a strong foundation of financial stability and organizational capability that will allow for greater impact Five Focus Areas o Animal Welfare o Education o Fundraising o Communications o Organizational Capability

2015 Focus Areas  Focus Area 1 – Animal Welfare 

Continue to provide excellent animal rehabilitation and humane care

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Grow the volunteer base and partnerships with allied organizations and rehabilitators (focus on greater Atlanta)

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Maintain all policies and procedures to ensure up-to-date and humane treatment of animals in our care

 Focus Area 2 – Education 

Develop new education content and channels to equip and inspire the community to appreciate wildlife and support habitat preservation

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Expand the education volunteer team to reach more people

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Seek out partnerships with organizations to assist with program development and delivery

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Continue to focus on young audiences and expand to reach the greater Atlanta community

2015 Focus Areas  Focus Area 3 – Fundraising 

Create an Advisory Board to improve access to foundations and high net worth individuals

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Develop tailored messages and outreach to engage current donors

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Continue to identify and engage high potential corporations and foundations

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Develop a fundraising calendar, including grant applications and special events

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Get $25,000 in grants

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Research the requirements for a successful capital program and begin planning

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Develop a marketing plan for recurring donations

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Increase the number of successful special events

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Attract $250,000 in the calendar year

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Develop and, when needed, implement an investment strategy

 Focus Area 4 – Communications 

Develop a public relations strategy that includes branding, messaging and social media

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Develop core messages to support fundraising and education activities; focus on specific calls to action

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Write a series of high impact animal stories

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Create a communication calendar coordinated with the fundraising and education calendars

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Recruit a board member with communications expertise

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Achieve 10,000 Facebook likes

 Focus Area 5 – Organizational Capability 

Increase the number of volunteers and the breadth of their skill sets

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Improve volunteer orientation, training and engagement programs

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Develop a plan for staff and volunteer succession and knowledge transfer

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Create a facilities improvement and growth plan

2016 Strategy  Increase AWARE’s capacity to handle larger volumes of injured or

orphaned wildlife so that no animal goes untreated 

Continue to increase the number of volunteers and rehabilitation specialists to expand organizational capability and geographic coverage

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Enhance and solidify partnerships with allied organizations

 Significantly expand the impact of education and inspirational

programs 

Become one of the most respected and recognized sources for equipping school-aged children, educators and the broader Atlanta community to appreciate and support wildlife and habitat preservation

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Engage the broader Atlanta community to effectively advocate for peaceful coexistence with native wildlife and environmental stewardship

 Begin capital campaign to expand or develop new facility

2017 Strategy  Expand capabilities to support Georgia 

Provide a larger facility and support satellite groups to expand wildlife care and minimize transportation of injured animals

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Administer a successful capital campaign to expand the current facility or develop a new one

 Provide facilities to support education and inspirational

programs 

Youth

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Community

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Organizational events and team building