Objective
ISTA: The Indiana State Teachers Association a 501(c)6 aimed to redefine the goals of its 501(c)3 Foundation for the Improvement of Education (IFIE), improve its operating model, and secure additional funding for educator professional development.
Process
Onward began by evaluating the Foundation’s current state by comparing similar foundations, benchmarking state National Board-Certified Teacher (NBCT) data, and analyzing the political and educational landscape. SWOT interviews were conducted with stakeholders, including ISTA and IFIE leadership, educators, and philanthropic leaders.
Onward identified conflicts between the roles of the Foundation’s 501 (c)3 status relative to the ISTA Union’s (c)6 and suggested ways to deconflict their objectives and operations.
Results
The Foundation clarified its mission and operational model, deconflicting its work from the ISTA Union. This clarification strengthened the partnership between IFIE and ISTA, enhancing their collective efforts with well-defined roles and responsibilities demonstrating the value of strategic clarity and collaborative partnerships.