The Catalyst November 2019

Charter Schools + Strategies for Growth = More Grades, More Children, More Success

As children grow, they must have access to quality schools ... for many, a charter school is the right solution

The Whelan Group (TWG) has worked with dozens of public and private colleges, universities, secondary schools, primary schools, special needs schools, and creative after-school programs. A significant number of TWG's educational clients have been charter schools - public schools operated by nonprofits under state charter. These schools are required to comply with state standards and are subject to public oversight.  The executive directors and boards of charter schools come to TWG to address a variety of sustainability issues - strategic planning, fundraising program design, governance practices, and organizational/fundraising capacity building. Some of these schools are in their start-up phase, while others are looking to expand programming and facilities. We work with charter schools that are stand-alone organizations while others are part of local, regional or national charter school networks.  Here are some of their stories.

Transformation begins with child-centered collaboration

Hoboken Dual Language Charter School (HOLA), Hoboken, NJ.  The school's executive director asked TWG to develop a long range financial and fundraising plan to underwrite the school's dynamic vision for growth. The plan envisioned a dramatic increase in the school's students, development of expanded facilities, and a significant increase in private philanthropy designed to strengthen a broad range of value-added programs and services. We also worked with the school's board, executive staff, and legal advisors to design and implement a "for the benefit of ..." foundation whose purpose was to staff and manage the school's long-range fundraising and communications program. This Friends-of structure deepened the relationship between the school and its many constituencies.   Children’s Aid College Prep Charter School (CACPCS) The Bronx, NY. CACPCS was founded as TWG began its work with this charter school's sponsoring multi-service agency, Children’s Aid (CA). Our work focused on three core initiatives: a long range strategic plan for CA, a plan to strengthen CA's overall fundraising performance, and a plan for the new charter school's governance structure and fundraising program. This work helped CA launch the charter school in a way that was fully consistent with CA's new "Keeping the Promise" poverty-fighting strategy.  Tapestry Charter School (TCS), Buffalo, NY.  TCS is a K–12 charter school, founded 2001. Within ten years, Tapestry moved to a new and vastly larger campus with space to grow for its ever expanding vision. As TCS began to imagine the opportunities for programmatic and additional physical expansion, Tapestry retained TWG to develop a strategic plan. We developed this in collaboration with a core group of school leaders, board members, faculty, staff, and community members. As it implemented its Strategic Plan over five years, TCS developed a dynamic affiliation with the national charter school network, EL Education . KIPP Central City Academy. New Orleans, LA. After Hurricane Katrina, dozens of New Orleans schools were destroyed by flooding. The city, state, and federal government combined forces to replace lost housing and schools. Private developer McCormack Baron Salazar and its nonprofit partner Urban Strategies were undertook part of this important rebuilding challenge at the site of the former C.J. Peete public housing (aka Magnolia Projects). TWG, working closely with Urban Strategies, succeeded in getting Phase I designation to develop the site and Phase I funding for the school. We worked to assure that the school was well integrated into the plan creating the new community, now called Harmony Oaks, Central City, New Orleans. The school - The KIPP Central City Academy - was developed on a parallel track with the new community.

The Whelan Group: nonprofit advisors

To learn about TWG's work with more than 300 nonprofit clients seeking advice on strategic planning, business planning, capacity-building, governance, and campaign management, visit our website or give us a call.

Find out more about The Whelan Group and our services to non-profits. Call us at 212-727-7332 or email i nfo@whelangroup.com .  We want to hear about your organization's next steps.

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