ENDS STATEMENT
The Vermont Community Foundation uses a board governance model developed by John Carver. This model, often referred to as the “Carver” or “Policy Governance” model, provides a thoughtful framework to help guide the board in their important work.
Ultimately, the board is responsible for determining the strategic direction of the VCF, and part of this process is articulating an ends statement that describes a vision for our work in the state of Vermont. In line with the ends are the "means." These are the staff activities that are controlled through a set of written policies that clearly define limitations. Because the staff has tremendous flexibility within these limitations, they can be responsive to community needs and opportunities.
Each year, as the board engages in discussions about the long term strategic direction of the VCF, we revisit the ends statement to ensure that it remains relevant and clearly represents our vision. To help inform our discussions, board members communicate regularly with a wide variety of people: existing and prospective donors, nonprofit leaders and employees, volunteers, policy-makers, business people, and others. While the general direction of the ends statement will not change often, this thoughtful governance allows the VCF to respond to changes in our communities.
At their 2007 annual retreat the VCF board of directors revised the Ends Statement to read as follows:
Build Healthy and Vital Vermont Communities where:
I. Philanthropy is increasingly effective in supporting healthy and vital
Vermont communities.
a. Enduring charitable capital exists that promotes social, environmental, and economic health.
i. Charitable capital stewarded by the VCF is done so in socially and
economically responsible ways.
b. Charitable giving through the VCF is easy, effective, and leveraged for the good of the community.
i. Philanthropists have the knowledge, skills, and tools to make the
most of their charitable giving.
II. Charitable partners effectively achieve their missions by having:
a. The knowledge, skills, and tools to be strategic.
b. The necessary executive and governing leadership capacity to
develop and implement vision.
c. The financial capital and financial sustainability necessary to achieve
their goals.