In September 2020, Kids' Chance of Indiana (KCIN) held one of their most successful golf outings, ever. They raised over $50,000 and had to turn away golfers who wanted to participate in their fundraising event.

While other nonprofits were cutting back on plans, reducing goals, or reevaluating their programs, KCIN was raising more money. What makes KCIN so different from many nonprofits in 2020? What are they doing to get results like this?

Kids' Chance of America Executive Director Vicki Burkhart recently spoke with KCIN past president Diana Wann to learn more about what's made this state organization so successful, even during hard times.

Where They Started

This kind of growth was not inevitable. It is the result of KCIN's leadership recognizing that they needed to improve their board and processes and then doing the hard work to make that happen. As participants in the Kids' Chance of America Accelerator Program, they committed to making the necessary changes.

Before starting the program, KCIN found themselves in a situation that's familiar to many small organizations—their board was in need of a refresh. Established board members didn't think the organization was in a sustainable enough position to feel comfortable stepping down, and without new members, the organization's growth was stagnating. After working with the Kids' Chance of America, this situation has changed dramatically.

The Accelerator Program is designed to help state organizations become more effective, strengthen their operations and infrastructure, build strong boards, and develop administrative systems and controls.  Accelerator participants strive to reach a level of sustainability and to become an organization that promotes inclusion and connections to members of the greater Kids’ Chance community.

“KCIN is a great example of what can be accomplished when a state organization builds a board that includes a range of individuals in the greater Kids' Chance community and becomes very deliberate about their administrative processes,” said Vicki. “Their growth occurred as part of the Accelerator, but any state organization that takes similar steps could see similar results.”

What's Working for KCIN?

Making changes to improve an organization isn't always easy. “The Accelerator process throws a lot at the state organization,” said Diana. “It was trial and error on some levels, but so many things clicked nicely into place.”

Diana attributed KCIN's success to three factors: changing up the board, listening to advice, and getting much-needed administrative support.

First, KCIN increased their efforts to recruit new board members. They especially increased their outreach to people working in construction and safety, sectors of the Workers’ Comp industry that had been underrepresented on the previous board. These new board members took an active role within the organization, bringing fresh energy and new perspectives as well as new networks for fundraising and raising awareness. “[The national's] help in getting us to focus on the hard work and involve a more diverse group has really paid off,” Diana said.

Secondly, KCIN benefited from the hands-on, on-site professional support KCOA provided during the Accelerator. “It made a difference to have Vicki attend board and committee meetings once a month,” Diana said. “It showed that the national office was interested in our success.”

Finally, KCIN hired a virtual assistant, which she calls a “game-changer.” The virtual assistant pays attention to detail, keeps the group organized and on track, and manages data. With these elements in place, board members can keep their attention on their own tasks of fundraising and relationship-building.

Diana found that the virtual assistant also provided much-needed accountability, without the awkwardness that sometimes comes from committee leaders managing fellow volunteers. “She is one step removed, so she is effective in making sure our volunteers do what they say they are going to do,” Diana said.

Looking Forward

With these changes in place, KCIN had a banner year. Several longtime board members are beginning to feel comfortable enough in the organization's long-term stability to comfortably transition off the board, making way for more new members.

With their newly refreshed board, lessons learned during the Accelerator, and reliable administrative support, KCIN is looking forward to further advancing their commitment to “raising more money for more kids.”

“There is no doubt. KCIN would not be in the position it is today without the support Kids' Chance of America provided,” Diana said.