Board Members:

Adrienne Mason: Board Chairperson

Taina Knox: Board Treasurer

Tyrone Foster - Board Member 

School Officials:

Steven Carney: Executive Director & School Leader - RSV

Sandra Yokley: Director of Operations - RSV

Rooted School Foundation

Jonathan Johnson - CEO 

JGP

Bill Kiolbasa - CEO

The December 2023 Finance Dashboard for Rooted School Vancouver shows positive progress across key financial metrics:

1. Average Annual Student FTE: Enrollment, a primary revenue driver, is on target.
2. Public Revenue Received: 36% of the overall budget, aligning with expectations. The pace of federal fund claims varies throughout the year.
3. Private Revenue Received: 40% of the overall budget. The majority is expected from a WSCSA grant in Summer 2024, indicating progress towards fundraising goals.
4. Total Expenditures: At 33% of the overall budget, On target to finish year below target.
5. Days Cash on Hand: The school has 95 days cash on hand, reflecting operational and financial stability.

All these metrics are currently on target, suggesting a strong financial position.

In an innovative approach to enhance our school's financial resources without diverting leadership from their core responsibilities, Rooted School Vancouver has entered into a partnership with Joule Growth Partners and Flicker Consulting. This collaboration is supported by a contract with the Gates Foundation to implement a ChatGPT-assisted grant application process. The initiative aims to streamline grant applications, leveraging artificial intelligence to minimize the time investment required from our team, while maximizing potential funding opportunities.

Project Overview:

• Objective: To utilize AI technology for efficient grant application submission, aiming to secure additional private funding with minimal staff involvement.
• Benefits: Access to customized GPT for grant writing, a grant-seeking calendar, and assistance with application submission. Expected to save time and improve application quality.
• Participation: Requires sharing previous grant narratives and a 5-year budget plan. In return, schools will receive prepared grant applications for review and submission assistance.

Implementation: The project launched this month and is expected to run for 12 months, targeting a sustainable development function for securing supplemental funding.

Quick Review of Existing Plan (10 minutes)

• Summarize current fund development plan
• Highlight areas needing immediate attention

Collaborative Updates (50 minutes)

• Each member discusses assigned section:
  • Budget Goals (Member 1)
  • Funding Opportunities (Member 2)
  • Relationship Building Strategies (Member 3)
  • Solicitation Strategies (Member 4)
• Discussion and collaborative input on updates
• Identification of immediate action items

Action Plan and Responsibilities (10 minutes)

• Prioritize and assign tasks
• Set deadlines for immediate actions

Documentation and Follow-Up (10 minutes)

• Summarize decisions and action items
• Plan for detailed review in a follow-up meeting
• Confirm dates for next meeting

Purpose: To discuss and strategize on adopting the 2023 Candid Seals of Transparency for Rooted School Vancouver, aiming to boost fundraising efforts and enhance organizational visibility.

Background: Candid's 2023 Seals of Transparency offer an opportunity to showcase our commitment to transparency, potentially increasing contributions by an average of 53%. By earning our first Bronze Seal or updating our current Candid Seal, we can leverage benefits such as sharing our full profile with potential funders and becoming eligible for Apple Pay donations.

Discussion Points:

1. Overview of the process to earn or update the Candid Seal of Transparency, emphasizing the streamlined steps for 2023.
2. Benefits of earning the 2023 Seal, including increased contributions, enhanced visibility on over 200 charitable sites, and eligibility for Apple Pay donations.
3. Strategy for sharing our full profile with potential funders through our website, social media, and in-person meetings to attract funding.
4. Consideration of the specific requirements for Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum Seals, and determining which level is most appropriate for our current status and goals.

Action Required: Decide on a plan to claim or update Rooted School Vancouver's Candid nonprofit profile to earn the 2023 Seal. Assign responsibilities for the necessary steps to achieve this goal.