To download our 2012 Strategic Plan PDF, please click below.
OsageFoundationStrategicPlan.pdf
FAQ
Q: What is the purpose of the Osage Nation Foundation Strategic Plan?
A: The leadership of every organization, whether non-profit or for-profit, needs a well thought out roadmap that can be used to guide actions and that can also be used to measure effectiveness after the fact. The Osage Foundation is no different. This strategic plan will be used to both communicate the strategy of the Foundation to key stakeholders and the public as well as to guide the Board and leadership in actions going forward.
Q: How was the Osage Nation Foundation Strategic Plan developed?
A: Osage Nation Foundation Executive Director Bill Webb is the author of the plan which has now been approved by the Foundation Board of Directors. Extensive interviews and feedback from various stakeholders, input from Osage Nation leaders in both the Administrative and Congressional branches, and original documents developed and distributed by former Principal Chief Gray were all used to develop the plan. The plan follows a typical format outlining an historical perspective, current situation, challenges, and opportunities. The plan was developed in November and December 2011, then adopted by the Osage Nation Foundation Board of Directors on January 17, 2012.
Q: Is the Strategic Plan subject to change or is it set in stone?
A: The overall mission and structure of the Foundation, as outlined in the Plan, are intended to be a roadmap and most roadmaps don’t change that often. That being said, as the landscape changes for the Foundation, the Plan will change. As it relates to specific short-term and long-term strategies, those are definitely subject to change relative to new challenges and opportunities that present themselves to the Foundation leadership. We can only identify those things we are currently aware of as objectives. As we become aware of new needs, ideas, and opportunities, we will consider those on an on-going basis.
Q: How would changes to the Strategic Plan be made?
A: As a stand-alone 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, the Board of Directors are responsible for the direction and operation of the Foundation. So it will be up to the Board as a group to change the Plan. As you can read in the Plan, at a minimum, the Plan will be reviewed and updated annually. But again, the Plan is not a set of rules, it is a roadmap. There are various roads we can take as an organization and there are likely roads we can take that are not identified in the Plan. Not to overuse the analogy, but the Plan is a roadmap the leadership can constantly rely on to check current course and speed. It is not intended to be a hard-and-fast set of rules. It is a living, breathing, dynamic document much the same way the Osage National Foundation is a living, breathing, dynamic organization.
Q: Are the strategies listed to raise funds the only options the Foundation will use or can new ideas be submitted?
A: The foundation welcomes new ideas as to how to raise funds efficiently and effectively. Please send inquires to info@osagefoundation.org. As new opportunities are identified and approved by the Board of Directors, the strategies will be added to the Strategic Plan.
Q: How does the Foundation deem certain projects important and other projects not important? Does the Board of Directors make that decision or is that the decision of the Executive Director?
A: “Important” and “Not Important” are imprecise terms but priorities of the Foundation are ultimately determined by the Board of Directors with input from staff.
Q: How did the foundation come up with the priorities?
A: The initial priorities outline in the Strategic Plan were determined based on the original direction provided by former Principal Chief Gray in conjunction with input from various stakeholders, all of which lead to three consistent areas where the foundation should focus: historical, educational, health/fitness of Osage youth.
Q: To some, restoring historical sites is less important than the health or education of Osages. How do you decide which project to take on first?
A: Like every effective organization, the Osage Foundation will need to prioritize its activities and be able to multi-task, working on various projects simultaneously when appropriate. Much of what the Foundation will do immediately will be based on how we can complement efforts already underway. The Board of Directors will take into consideration a number of factors, consider input from stakeholders and the public, and make the decision the members of the Board individually and collectively believe most benefit the Foundation and the Osage Nation.
Q: Are the listed projects the only ones that the foundation will address?
A: No, the foundation was guided to these projects by the general area of focus in our mission statement as well as Chief Gray’s guidance to the Board members at their time of appointment in 2009. As additional opportunities present themselves, the Board will consider those at that time.