Name of Organization: Transform Finance http://transformfinance.org/ Project Supervisor: Andrea Armeni Project Name: Impact Investing Key Player Identification Transform Finance is a committed community of investors, entrepreneurs and social leaders that seek to place communities back at the core of impact investing and that support community-led models of investment. We focus on the exploration and implementation of the Transformative Finance principles. The Key Player Identification project will consist in a scan of stakeholders in the impact-investing field, with an eye toward identifying potential supporters (financial or otherwise) as well as areas of activity overlap among entities. The work product will be spreadsheet with brief narratives of activities by entity. It will identify potential financial supporters, particularly foundations that finance field-building initiatives. This project would be particularly apt for someone with an interest in the nonprofit world, the evolution of philanthropy, and the field of impact investing. Student Time Commitment (hours/semester): 50 hours Number of Students Requested: 2
Name of Organization: Learning Disabilities Association of New York City http://ldanyc.org/ Project Supervisor: Tiasia O Brian Project Name: Revenue Cycle Fellows The Learning Disabilities Association of New York City is a not-for-profit organization currently serving over 1,000 learning-disabled individuals in the New York City metro area annually. Our vision is to grow to serve over 7,500 learning-disabled teens, young adults and transitioning adults annually. LDA Revenue Cycle Fellows will be well-rounded, strategic, and creative thinkers with the drive it takes to succeed. They will have the opportunity to work with some of the finest and most passionate people in the nonprofit sector involving projects that are valuable to their careers and LDANYC s future as they gain hands-on experience analyzing revenue streams for a nonprofit accounting operation. What you will do: Participate in moderately complex revenue-related projects for newly established initiatives. Analyze revenue streams for current LDA programs, evaluating current charging and coding structures and processes to ensure appropriate capture and reporting of revenue and compliance with government and internal control requirements. Compile accounting and financial reports using Apricot and Quickbooks. Develop and recommend strategies, plance, and processes to improve profitability and cost efficiencies. Assist in monthly close analysis to facilitate understanding of monthly results against the financial plan.
Prepare reports and other meeting materials required for management. Candidates should have an in-depth understanding of finance, accounting, databases, and general business, as well as strong computer skills (Excel and Office 365). Student Time Commitment (hours/semester): 50 hours Number of Students Requested: 2
Name of Organization: Students for Service http://www.studentsforservice.org/ Project Supervisor: Katherine Soll Project Name: Teens for Food Justice Students for Service is building a new generation of food justice activists and leaders inspired and equipped to work together to build an equitable and sustainable approach to food. The Teens for Food Justice Initiative Through our unique Teens for Food Justice model, volunteers work together to build and manage hydroponic farms that grow food for families in underserved, food desert communities. They also get the training, skills and confidence to help others improve their nutrition, fitness, and wellness and empower those at greatest risk to advocate for their own health. Volunteers learn and serve together in a hands-on entrepreneurial environment, gaining the collaborative, critical-thinking skills needed by tomorrow s leaders and developing an ongoing commitment to lasting social change. Students consultants will have the opportunity to work with nonprofit board-members, student consultants, and potentially faculty members in one of two projects: 1) crafting a 5-year business plan for the Teens for Food Justice project, and 2) conducting a full program survey and evaluation. Student Time Commitment (hours/semester): TBD Number of Students Requested: TBD
Name of Organization: United Way of Greater New Haven http://www.uwgnh.org Project Supervisor: Cara Moran Project Name: Champion Coordination United Way of Greater New Haven is focused on changing the odds so that every child and family has the opportunity for a good life. We are bringing people together to create a thriving community for all of us: the kind of place where you want to live, to work, and to raise a family. To get there, we are focused on innovative solutions to the most pressing challenges in our community around Education, Income, Health and Basic Needs. A YANA consultant who takes on the role of Champion Coordinator will be responsible for managing a group of champions (the number of champions will depend on the consultant s availability). The consultant will meet with the champions, set fundraising goals, conduct research, provide supplementary material, plan and execute events, draft communications, make presentations, analyze data, and troubleshoot any difficulties. He or she will work closely with United Way staff, who will provide guidance and support. There will also be opportunities to sit in on planning meetings with University leadership and attend receptions for major donors. While most of the dollars raised through the campaign have come from Yale employees, University leadership is committed to involving students with the campaign. There will be opportunities for the YANA consultant to develop a strategy that he or she believes will resonate with students and encourage donations from them. The bulk of the work for this project will take place from mid-october to mid-december. There will be opportunities to help in the spring as well,
though they will consist less of active fundraising and more of data analysis, de-briefing, and planning. We believe that this project will be beneficial to a YANA consultant for a number of reasons: 1) This project will provide the opportunity to develop and execute a fundraising strategy, a necessary skill for anyone interested in a career in the nonprofit sector; 2) University leadership is actively involved in the campaign, and there will be opportunities to interact with Yale leaders during planning meetings and exclusive events; 3) All meetings and events related to the campaign will take place on the Yale campus; and 4) United Way staff will be available to provide guidance and mentorship as the YANA consultant learns to navigate in his or her role. Student Time Commitment (hours/semester): 55 Number of Students Requested: TBD
Name of Organization: Local First Project Supervisor: Nora Anderson Project Name: Local First: The Connectivity Project The mission of this project is to improve the connectivity between locally minded consumers and locally owned businesses. To do so, this project will analyze the Local First membership data in order to then design & build a smartphone app and marketing strategy that will more actively connect our members with their local neighbors and local tourists. The goal is to enable consumers to live like a local beyond their local community, toward a global network of cooperatively interlinked local economies. The project supervisor, a Yale alum & local resident, seeks a team of active & creative undergraduates who enjoy discovery & travel, and who believe in the BALLE / Local First mission to foster the development of interconnected local economies that function in harmony with local ecosystems to meet the basic needs of all people, support just and democratic societies, and foster joyful community life. Consultants will be very hands-on with this project. The responsibilities include: - Data collection, management & analysis - Design & production of a smartphone application - Strategic modeling & planning - Event planning & marketing - Fundraising The initial term of the project will be one semester, with the option to extend. This project will appeal to undergraduates with interests in economics/business/finance, ecological economics, localism, community development, technology for social change, social media, product development, branding, marketing and graphic design. Skills:
- Extensive knowledge of social media - Ability to create a smartphone application - Ability to collect & analyze data - Strong interpersonal skills & an outgoing personality Student Time Commitment (hours/semester): 40-50 Number of Students Requested: 3-5
Name of Organization: Community Mainstreaming http://communitymainstreaming.org Project Supervisor: Eileen Eegan Community Mainstreaming Associates is committed to providing flexible and innovative support services that meet the changing needs of individuals with intellectual and development disabilities. CMA strives to maximize each person s potential to lead a fulfilling, purposeful life in the community by offering a full range of work, social, educational, and recreational opportunities. Today, CMA provides residential services, including group homes and a home dedicated to the needs of people who have developed Alzheimer s disease. We offer in-home community habilitation services to those individuals who do not live in a CMA residence; people who are transitioning out of school towards a more adult lifestyle often find this service helpful. Additionally, CMA s Medicaid service coordination helps connect people from throughout the community to the appropriate Medicaid funded services. CMA also operates Working Together, a vocational program that helps people prepare for and obtain employment. New initiatives include: the opening of a social enterprise, the Sweet Comfort Bakery & Café, designed to offer employment to people with developmental disabilities; and a series of adult/continuing education classes targeting the needs and interests of the people we serve. Project Description CMA wants to improve its social media outreach to create positive public awareness and support for adults with developmental disabilities. This project will be comprised of two phases: online research and action items. 1) Research the social media programs of comparable Nassau County organizations supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The agencies include programs wuch as AHRC, ACLD, FREE, etc. with similar missions and advocacy work.
2) Suggest specific social media campaigns to CMA Executive Director and Development Director to be launched on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. The objective is to increase CMA s online presence as well as awareness, understanding, and respect for developmentally disabled adults. Deadline: December 31, 2014 Student Time Commitment (hours/semester): 30 Number of Students Requested: 2
Name of Organization: Kevah http://www.kevah.org Project Supervisor: Sara Bamberger Project Name: Grant Research, Writing, and Reporting Program Description Kevah is a Bay Area-based pluralistic organization that empowers individuals and organizations to build Jewish learning communities. Kevah has grown rapidly in the past few years from a handful of groups meeting in young adults' living rooms to a network of over 75 Jewish learning groups that draw on Kevah for outstanding educators and ongoing group support. Its budget has expanded from $30,000 in 2010-2011 to over $1M in 2014-2015. This consulting project will focus on Kevah's fundraising operations. Working closely with Kevah's founder and Executive Director Sara Heitler Bamberger (YC '95), the student will be involved with grant research, grant writing and grant reporting. Expected work product will be identification of 5-10 new funders; drafting of 2-3 grant proposals and fulfillment of 1 grant report, all done with guidance and resources supplied by Kevah's development office. If work is done well, student may be recruited to continue in a paid capacity after the semester, and/or be invited to come meet the 8 person team in Berkeley, CA, all expenses paid. Desired Skills Strong writing skills are a must, interest in DIY Jewish community building helpful. Student Time Commitment (hours/semester): 30-50 Number of Students Requested: 1-3