HFI will remain grounded in barbershop.

HFI will invest in a range of programs and initiatives in the singing community that can change lives.

HFI will seek a broader impact, remain true to its mission, and strive to become a better version of who we are.

HFI is a granting organization that fundraises to achieve its mission.

Be Donor Centric

HFI's donors will feel an emotional connection to the Foundation's work.

    • More donors are incentivized to advance to the “next level”

      • Who: HFI Exec Team & Fundraisers

        When: FY 24-25

        Hurdles: Negative Effects of Partner Actions

    • Honor donor wishes to tailor their donation to the specific programs they chose.

      • Who: HFI Exec Team & Staff

        When: FY 24-25

        Hurdles: Negative Effects to HFI Revenue

    • Further a culture of gratitude for donors - They are thanked

      • Who: HFI Exec Team & Staff

        When: FY 24-25

        Hurdles: Sufficient Funding

    • Commit to regular & timely communication (not only thanks and recognition but reports and info)

      • Who: HFI Exec Team & Staff

        When: FY 25

        Hurdles: Staff Time

    • Build a more robust KAMR program

      • Who: HFI Exec Team

        When: FY 25

        Hurdles: Staff Time

      • Keep A Melody Ringing virtual recognition wall

        • Who: Director of Communications

          When: FY 25

          Hurdles: Staff Time

    • Clearly articulate options that are of value to donors

      • Who: HFI Exec & Fundraisers

        When: FY 25

        Hurdles: Potential BHS negative response

    • Identify philanthropic and programmatic needs within the community

      • Who: HFI BOT/Exec & Fundraisers/Partner Orgs

        When: FY 25-26

        Hurdles: Adequate gathering of information

    • Expand Power of Harmony Program to each US State

      • Who: HFI CEO / Program Manager

        When: FY 25-27

        Hurdles: Sufficient Funding & potential partners

    • Share impactful program videos and personal stories with the giving community

      • Who: Director of Communications, program leaders & staff in the field

        When: FY 25

        Hurdles: Gathering impactful assets

    • Broaden our definition of potential donor

      • Who: BoT & HFI Exec

        When: FY 25

        Hurdles: Potential BHS negative response

      • Open grants up to outside organizations

        • Who: BoT & HFI Exec

          When: FY 26

          Hurdles: Potential BHS negative response

      • Establish HFI apparel options and design appropriate campaigns (quarterly)

        • Who: HFI Exec

          When: FY 25

          Hurdles: Need to capture names & contact info

          • HFI merchandise to engage younger donors

            • Who: BoT & HFI Exec

              When: FY 24-25

              Hurdles: Potentially some IRS regulations

Be A Model Organization

HFI will pursue industry best practices and be recognized for its professionalism

    • The Board will focus on strategy, leaving operational matters to the CEO

      • Who: BoT & Chair

        When: FY 24-27

        Hurdles: Habit

    • The Board will implement the flipped agenda for regularly scheduled meetings of the BoT

      • Who: BoT, Chair & CEO

        When: FY 24

    • The Board will regularly review policies & HR documents.

      • Who: BoT

        When: FY 24-27

    • The Board will renegotiate the relationship with the Barbershop Harmony Society after settlement agreement ends

      • Who: BoT

        When: FY 25

        Hurdles: Potential BHS Negative Response

    • HFI will continue to seek impactful programs (like Power of Harmony & AIC Outreach)

      When: FY 25-27

      • Potentially:

        • Music and Memory for Seniors (like Giving Voice Org)

          • Who: CEO/Program Manager

            When: FY 26

            Hurdles: Sufficient Funding

        • Music & Wounded Warriors

          • Who: CEO/Exec Team

            When: FY 25

            Hurdles: Funding/Potential BHS Negative Response

        • Music Medics Program Support

          • Who: CEO/Exec Team

            When: FY 25

            Hurdles: Funding/Potential BHS Negative Response

    • Expand Power of Harmony Program to each US State

      • Who: CEO/Program Manager

        When: FY 26-27

        Hurdles: Sufficient Funding

        • Develop post-release communities formerly incarcerated youth

          • Who: CEO/Program Manager

            When: FY 25

            Hurdles: Sufficient Funding

    • Seek diversification of revenue and programs

      • Who: CEO/Exec Team

        When: FY 25

    • Embrace technology to find new ways to connect with people

        • Who: CEO/Exec Team

          When: FY 25

        • Continually evaluate CRM/ operating system (for potential opportunities)

          • Who: CEO/Exec Team

            When: FY 24-25

            Hurdles: Availability of resources

        • Implement programs such as Docusign

          • Who: CEO/Exec Team

            When: FY 24

            Hurdles: Availability of resources

    • Commit to intentionally pursue professional development for Board & staff

      • Who: BoT / CEO

        When: FY 25

        Hurdles: Availability of resources

    • Optimize Board makeup to reflect our donors plus prioritize needed experience/skills

      • Who: BoT / CEO

        When: FY 25

        Hurdles: Dependent on available talent

    • Consistently solicit feedback and respond to feedback

      • Who: Exec Team & Dir of Communications

        When: FY 25

    • The BoT will regularly evaluate itself, as a Board

      • Who: BoT

        When: FY 24

    • The BoT will regularly evaluate the CEO

      • Who: BoT

        When: FY 24

    • The BoT will regularly update orientation documents for new members of the Board

      • Who: BoT Gov/Ed Comm

        When: FY 25

    • Implement post-meeting self-evaluations for BOT members at the end of regularly scheduled meetings

      • Who: BoT Chair

        When: FY 24

    • Implement regular CEO reports on the Board Portal

      • Who: CEO

        When: FY 24-25

    • Regularly evaluate staff

      • Who: Exec Team & CEO

        When: FY 24

    • Regularly update staff orientation packet & policies.

      • Who: Exec Team, CFO & OM

        When: FY 25

    • Seek recognition from outside rating agencies.

      • Who: Exec Team

        When: FY 25

Be Fiscally Responsible

HFI will maintain financial sustainability as a best-in-class philanthropic organization.

    • Implement endowment campaign

      Who: HFI Staff

      When: FY 26

      Hurdles: Shrinking donor pool within BHS

      • Implement renewed campaigns for Legacy of Harmony

        • Who: HFI Development Staff

          When: FY 26

          Hurdles: Staff time and focus

      • HFI General Endowment growth - "Draw" covers all HFI overhead (Goal: $25M)

        • Who: HFI Development Staff

          When: FY 26

          Hurdles: Shrinking BHS donor pool & need to expand

      • Grow BHS Endowment to offset dues (Goal: $40M)

        • Who: HFI Development Staff

          When: FY 26

          Hurdles: Shrinking donor pool within BHS

    • Implement Capital Campaign (Annual Fund / Major Gift / Estate Giving)

      • Who: CEO/staff & BoT

        When: FY 25-26

        Hurdles: Readiness of team, CRM & partner organizations

        • Implement 3 - Part Ask: (Annual Fund, Program, & Estate Giving

          • Who: HFI Development Staff

            When: FY 26

            Hurdles: Staff time and focus

    • Explore more services to offer member organizations beyond fundraising alone

      • Who: CEO/Exec Team

        When: FY 25-26

        Hurdles: Limitations of CRM

        • Research needs of potential member organizations

    • Pursue efficiencies via member organizations & shared resources

      • Who: CEO

        When: FY 25-26

    • Research opportunities to diversify revenue streams that may not be donation based

      • Who: CEO / Exec Team

        When: FY 25-26

    • More robust pursuit of outside granting organizations

      • Who: CEO/Program Director

        When: FY 25-26

        Hurdles: Staff time and available human resources

    • Seek partnerships with organizations that have no full-time staff

      • Who: CEO (BoT)

        When: FY 25-26

        Hurdles: Trust continues to be an issue here

    • Broaden definition of "potential donor"

      • Who: BoT/CEO/Exec Team

        When: FY 25

    • Maximize potential of current pool of donors

      • Who: Exec/Fundraisers

        When: FY 24

        Hurdles: Commit to Moves Management principles

        • Conduct wealth screening on full database of prospects

          • Who: Exec/OM

            When: FY 25 or 26

            Hurdles: Heavy cost

    • Buy donor contact lists that are curated for music supporters

      • Who: Exec Team

        When: FY 26

        Hurdles: May carry a high cost & low return response

    • Seek opportunities to connect with donors across different generations

      • Who: Exec Team/HFI staff

        When: FY 25

        Hurdles: Requires accurate demographic understanding

    • Expand HFI reach outside of US

      • Who: CEO

        When: FY 26-27

        Hurdles: International philanthropic & tax knowledge

  • HFI Association/Membership Org Model

    • Who: CEO (BoT)

      When: FY 25-26

      Hurdles: Trust continues to be an issue here

    • Shared staffing with "member organizations"

      • Who: CEO (BoT)

        When: FY 25-26

        Hurdles: Trust continues to be an issue here

    • Provide broader services outside of fundraising to member organizations

      • Who: Exec Team & CEO

        When: FY 26-27

        Hurdles: Adequate CRM & Programs

      • Member development

        • Who: Exec Team & CEO

          When: FY 26-27

          Hurdles: Adequate CRM & Programs

      • Event management

        • Who: Exec Team & CEO

          When: FY 26-27

          Hurdles: Adequate CRM & Programs

      • Digital & Print Communications

        • Who: Exec Team & CEO

          When: FY 26-27

          Hurdles: Adequate CRM & Programs

    • Broaden the pool of grant recipients

      • Who: Exec Team

        When: FY 26

        Hurdles: BHS Resistance/CRM Upgrade Necessary?

        • Re-establish National Granting Pool

          • Who: Exec Team

            When: FY 26

            Hurdles: Dependent upon resources available

            • Provide support for local and regional programming

              • Who: Exec Team

                When: FY 26

                Hurdles: Convincing Society to use resources this way