Board Members Agree on Strategy for Hudson

Community Foundation

Hudson Community Foundation, after six years of serving Hudson, confirms that its mission remains the same today as it was at inception: “Enriching Hudson Forever”. How to present this theme to the town residents in a positive manner so as to achieve this lofty goal was a problem recently pondered by the Board.

Current board members deliberated our mission and strategy at two lengthy sessions hosted by Fortec Medical President Drew Forhan under the direction of Don Tharp as facilitator.

Immediate objectives are to obtain $25,000 in gifts from residents during the annual fund drive and to distribute it all to community causes in four areas of interest: Historical and Environmental Preservation, Arts and Culture, Hudson Social Services and Youth Education and Recreation. At the moment, all operating expenses are borne by HCF Board members so every dollar contributed by donors goes right back to the community. In addition, we hope to distribute $30,000 from unrestricted funds. We will also strive to communicate the many benefits of opening Donor Advised Funds, a simple, flexible, tax beneficial method to make possible the practice of family philanthropy.

Strategies being brought to bear to make all this happen include:

· Development of a strong brand by stepping up publicity about HCF through group presentations, our Newsletter, stories in the local press, presentations through HCTV, and participation in town events such as Taste of Hudson.

· Increasing annual giving by using a more structured, personal campaign.

· Opening more Donor Advised Funds by meeting with key individuals as well as financial and accounting professionals.

· Training all board members to improve their presentation skills.

· Proactively seeking grant initiatives in our four areas of interest.

Action plans being made include:

· Participation with a tent and display at Taste of Hudson.

· Development of a structured annual giving plan.

· Printing of an updated colorful brochure as well as a Power Point presentation.

· DVD training disk prepared through cooperation of HCTV.

· Solicitation of financial commitments from all board members.

· Identification of Hudson groups or clubs to which we may present our story.

· HCTV half-hour presentation about Hudson Community Foundation.

Your Directors are active, enthusiastic and eager to achieve the goals of this fine organization. If you want to see them in action, visit them at their monthly second Wednesday Noon meetings held at the library. They will even treat you to a sandwich!