Objective
The Indiana State Teacher’s Association (ISTA) aims to enhance its capacity to support educators across the state through its foundation, the Indiana Foundation for the Improvement of Education (IFIE). The objective was to clarify IFIE’s goals, distinguish its role from ISTA, and establish a robust operational model to enable effective fundraising and program development focused on professional growth for educators.
Process
Onward Consulting, funded by the NEA Foundation, undertook a comprehensive assessment of the IFIE to determine how it could better serve Indiana’s educators. The process included benchmarking national data on National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT), analyzing comparable foundations, and conducting a SWOT analysis of the political and educational landscape. Strategic recommendations were formulated based on these findings, focusing on refining IFIE’s mission, defining roles within the IFIE-ISTA partnership, and developing a sustainable budget and staffing structure for the foundation.
Results
The assessment led to clear recommendations for IFIE to focus exclusively on educator professional development, separating its identity from ISTA while leveraging the association’s support. Key outcomes include the creation of a dedicated working group to refine IFIE’s mission, the establishment of a fundraising strategy to secure external funding, and the development of specific programs to increase the number of National Board Certified Teachers in Indiana. By leading on professional development with ISTA’s backing, IFIE is positioned to significantly enhance the quality of education in Indiana, supported by robust philanthropic partnerships and a clear operational structure.