Executive Director Capacity Building Program

 Dorchester County, MD

Program Summary

Increasing the capacity of the Empowerment Center in Dorchester County, MD by funding the first-ever Executive Director position to grow the organization

  • Providing multi-year grant to fund the Empowerment Center’s first paid staff position
  • Hired a non-profit consulting firm to focus on board development, strategic visioning, the hiring process, and onboarding to help “future proof” the organization
  • Fully engaged in the project by participating on the hiring committee and participating in all board functions for the term of the grant
  • Assisting with the development and measurement of both process metrics and performance indicators to ensure positive outcomes in terms of revenue growth and program evolution
  • Will transition the position funding to the Empowerment Center in Year 4 to ensure sustainability
John & Janice Wyatt Foundation
John & Janice Wyatt Foundation
John & Janice Wyatt Foundation

Measures of Performance

For more information, please see Data Analysis section at the bottom of the page

Data Analysis

  • Goal: To increase the capacity of the Empowerment Center in Dorchester County, MD by funding the first-ever Executive Director position.
  • Intent: We expect to see the following:
    1. Financial growth: The position is expected to be self-sustaining in 3 years; and additional revenue should be generated in order to increase the number of students at the center for both after-school and summer programs.
    2. Improved governance: The position is expected to improve board governance and participation; and to develop organizational processes to ensure a more efficient organization.
    3. Strategic growth: With increased resources and improved organization, we expect the Empowerment Center to scale in size and programmatic activities over time.
  • The Empowerment Center has hired, over the course of the first two years, two executive directors. Both hires were only in place for 5-6 months each and the center is currently without a full-time director. Thus this program has not necessarily been realized as envisioned.
  • The Center has hired a part-time interim executive director, which has implemented – to date – several positive strategies.
    1. Submitted and received state of Maryland childcare licensure.
    2. Modified the physical structure, which will allow the Center to expand from 30 to 45 students, increasing capacity significantly.
    3. Restarted the after-school program, which had been closed for several months while awaiting the licensure and building renovations.
  • Closing out the second year, the Empowerment Center increased its cumulative organizational revenue ($303K vs previous pre-program annual budget of $40K). The goal for the end of 2022 was $230K, thus earning a “green” health score.
  • The Center was able to grow the number of 2022 summer campers back to its original, pre-COVID capacity of 40 students. This was a significant increase over the 2021 summer that hosted 21 students, thus earning a “green” score.
  • Following a COVID outbreak and the departure of the 2nd executive director, the Center closed for several months in the fall of 2022, stopping all after-school programming. This earned the Center a “red” health score. However, as of February 2023, the program is now running again and will be reported on later in 2023.