Tackling broad-based community issues is a philosophy that the Michigan Works! Berrien-Cass-Van Buren (MWBCVB) has embraced since its inception. Yet, broad-based strategies often require diversified funding streams beyond Workforce Investment Act (WIA) formula funding. Since 2008, enrollment in WIA programs has increased by 234 percent, while funding has remained virtually unchanged. There is a trend among high performing workforce investment boards (WIBs) to broaden their financial portfolios to align and support their vision in addressing broader community issues.
Frank Gradijan, former global Xerox executive, has recently joined FCM as a senior business consultant and is helping our customers focus on Leadership and Continuous Process Improvement to achieve the next level of performance. Gradijan said, “Nonprofits and government organizations need to broaden their leadership skill sets which means getting out of their comfort zone. Senior leadership teams need to think about their organizations as a small business. How do you get lean, maximize and leverage funding, and position the organization in a manner that attracts the right funders, partners and customers to achieve the mission and a next level of performance among staff, board members, partners and volunteers?”
Gradijan was involved in the launch of “Leadership through Quality”, and worked on the initial certification process for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award which Xerox first won in 1989. Additionally he is a Certified Enterprise Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and Master Black Belt. Gradijan’s approach uses an “organizational ecosystem” that includes leadership development, strategic planning, marketing/branding, operational excellence, human resource development, and continuous improvement so that everyone in the organization has a clear line of site of how their daily activities contribute to the organization's mission and vision.
FCM has been working with Michigan Works! Berrien-Cass-Van Buren (MWBCVB), a WIB that aligns with this philosophy and exemplifies how a systematic approach to strategic planning can grow revenues and expand services to address critical community needs. The MWBCVB has outgrown its WIA-focused Michigan Works! brand and has morphed into a market-focused organization that tackles broad-based community and business development issues within its service area. The MWBCVB has repositioned itself in the marketplace as a change agent that drives economic vitality in Southwest Michigan. Through its strategic planning processes and organizational development, the MWBCVB generates $3.5 million each year in non-formula funds, and supports other nonprofits in improving capacity to garner special grants, fee-for-service models, fundraising and social entrepreneurism. The end result of these efforts is increased sustainability, diversified funding streams and a stronger community to improve the quality of life for residents.
MWBCVB Executive Director, Todd Gustafson said, “We totally tracked with FCM’s organizational ecosystem and have found it highly effective in getting true alignment from our senior leadership team and board members to the staff that are responsible for working with the customer. We’ve outgrown our current brand and are working with FCM to reposition our broader focus in the market which will support our funding goals. With WIA continuing to shrink, we have to think about diversification to keep our mission thriving.”
To learn more about FCM’s organizational ecosystem and how it can expand your funding streams, contact us for a complimentary consultation. For information on how MWBCVB helps other nonprofits and organizations build capacity, contact Todd Gustafson at tgustafson@miworks.org.
Frank Gradijan, former global Xerox executive, has recently joined FCM as a senior business consultant and is helping our customers focus on Leadership and Continuous Process Improvement to achieve the next level of performance. Gradijan said, “Nonprofits and government organizations need to broaden their leadership skill sets which means getting out of their comfort zone. Senior leadership teams need to think about their organizations as a small business. How do you get lean, maximize and leverage funding, and position the organization in a manner that attracts the right funders, partners and customers to achieve the mission and a next level of performance among staff, board members, partners and volunteers?”
Gradijan was involved in the launch of “Leadership through Quality”, and worked on the initial certification process for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award which Xerox first won in 1989. Additionally he is a Certified Enterprise Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and Master Black Belt. Gradijan’s approach uses an “organizational ecosystem” that includes leadership development, strategic planning, marketing/branding, operational excellence, human resource development, and continuous improvement so that everyone in the organization has a clear line of site of how their daily activities contribute to the organization's mission and vision.
FCM has been working with Michigan Works! Berrien-Cass-Van Buren (MWBCVB), a WIB that aligns with this philosophy and exemplifies how a systematic approach to strategic planning can grow revenues and expand services to address critical community needs. The MWBCVB has outgrown its WIA-focused Michigan Works! brand and has morphed into a market-focused organization that tackles broad-based community and business development issues within its service area. The MWBCVB has repositioned itself in the marketplace as a change agent that drives economic vitality in Southwest Michigan. Through its strategic planning processes and organizational development, the MWBCVB generates $3.5 million each year in non-formula funds, and supports other nonprofits in improving capacity to garner special grants, fee-for-service models, fundraising and social entrepreneurism. The end result of these efforts is increased sustainability, diversified funding streams and a stronger community to improve the quality of life for residents.
MWBCVB Executive Director, Todd Gustafson said, “We totally tracked with FCM’s organizational ecosystem and have found it highly effective in getting true alignment from our senior leadership team and board members to the staff that are responsible for working with the customer. We’ve outgrown our current brand and are working with FCM to reposition our broader focus in the market which will support our funding goals. With WIA continuing to shrink, we have to think about diversification to keep our mission thriving.”
To learn more about FCM’s organizational ecosystem and how it can expand your funding streams, contact us for a complimentary consultation. For information on how MWBCVB helps other nonprofits and organizations build capacity, contact Todd Gustafson at tgustafson@miworks.org.
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