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


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:
- 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.
- Improved governance: The position is expected to improve board governance and participation; and to develop organizational processes to ensure a more efficient organization.
- 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.
- Submitted and received state of Maryland childcare licensure.
- Modified the physical structure, which will allow the Center to expand from 30 to 45 students, increasing capacity significantly.
- 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.