Two-Year Operating Support Grant

The goal of the project is to build the capacity of the board to provide leadership to the orchestra, enhancing the recruiting of board members, musicians, and audience members in the process. Measurable outcomes include: - Board manual, - Board calendar, - Board member recruiting materials, - Monthly P&L and balance sheet reports, - Cultural Data Project participation, - Updated marketing materials, - Progress toward achieving Charities Review Council certification, - Growth in regular members from 44 to 48, - All board positions filled, - Participation of at least 10 non-board members in committee work, - 25% growth in total annual audience, - Improvement on board evaluation measures from 1.96 to 3.0 out of 4.0, - Positive ratings on member survey. Many of the measurable outcomes can be measured on a yes/no or true/false scale. For example, if the board manual is compiled, the outcome will be met. Some of the measurable outcomes can be counted. For example, growth in orchestra membership from 44 to 48 will be measured by a simple count. Non-board committee participants will be counted. Audience growth will be measured in two ways: by a count of audiences at concerts, and by ticket sales, adjusted for any price changes. Progress toward achieving Charities Review Council certification will be measured by counting the number of standards met at the outset of the project, and counting again at the end of the first and second years of the project. We have not yet assessed our starting point, so it is difficult at this time to know whether we can achieve certification within the two-year timeframe of this project. The Mesabi Community Orchestra board completed an 18-question board evaluation survey in April, 2014, and scored 1.96 on a 4.0 scale. We will use the same survey tool to assess progress at the end of year 1 and year 2 of the project, and an overall score of 3.0 or better will be considered achievement of the outcome. Mesabi Community Orchestra periodically surveys its overall membership on a number of measures of satisfaction and engagement. This project will include at least one member survey, and at least two questions on board leadership.