Advance Fund Development, Relationships, and Financial Sustainability
Build the resources, relationships, and revenue needed to sustain and grow PEDC's vision, mission, presence, and impact.
Strategic Narrative
Achieving systems change requires more than strong programs, compelling ideas, and committed leadership—it requires the relationships, partnerships, and resources necessary to sustain and scale impact over time. As PEDC continues to expand its leadership in educator diversity and culturally relevant and sustaining education, it must strengthen and diversify the funding ecosystem that supports its mission. Building a sustainable mix of individual philanthropy, institutional investments, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and earned revenue will reduce reliance on any single funding source while increasing organizational resilience, flexibility, and long-term impact.
PEDC's collective impact approach depends upon the active engagement and investment of educators, institutions, community organizations, policymakers, funders, and other collaborators working toward a shared vision for educational justice and systems transformation. Philanthropy and partnership development are fundamentally about relationships, trust, and shared commitment to that vision. By cultivating a growing community of donors, funders, partners, sponsors, and investors, PEDC will create new opportunities for collaboration, innovation, collective action, and shared ownership of the work. These relationships will not only generate resources but also strengthen the statewide network of champions advancing educator diversity, culturally relevant and sustaining education, and equitable opportunities for learners and educators across Pennsylvania.
At the same time, PEDC will leverage its expertise, intellectual capital, relationships, and statewide leadership to develop mission-aligned learning opportunities, services, resources, and innovative offerings that generate revenue while advancing its mission and expanding its impact. Sustainable funding is not an end in itself; it is the fuel that enables PEDC to strengthen educator diversity, advance culturally relevant and sustaining education, influence policy and systems change, and create more equitable opportunities and outcomes for educators and learners across Pennsylvania.
Looking ahead, PEDC must also position itself to anticipate and respond to emerging opportunities, evolving funding landscapes, and changing educational needs. As philanthropy, technology, workforce development, and education continue to evolve, PEDC will explore innovative funding and investment models, expand its state, national, and global partnerships, and develop mission-aligned learning opportunities, services, and resources with the greatest potential for impact and sustainability.
The organization will also consider how technology, artificial intelligence, innovation, and strategic partnerships can strengthen fundraising, partnership development, engagement, learning, and organizational effectiveness. By investing in both sustainability and innovation, PEDC will build the relationships, resources, and capacity necessary to expand its influence, deepen its impact, and help shape the future of educator diversity and culturally relevant and sustaining education in Pennsylvania and beyond.
Sustainable funding is not an end in itself; it is the fuel that enables PEDC to strengthen educator diversity, advance culturally relevant and sustaining education, influence policy and systems change, and create more equitable opportunities and outcomes.
2030 Future State and Success Indicators
Future State
By June 2030, PEDC will have secured $6 million in new revenue through a diversified portfolio of individual giving, foundation, government, corporate, and national funding partnerships, sponsorships, and earned revenue. Grounded in trust-based and relationship-centered philanthropy, PEDC has cultivated a strong and sustainable network of donors, funders, partners, and investors who share its commitment to educator diversity and culturally relevant and sustaining education. Recognized as a valued partner, thought leader, and catalyst for systems change, PEDC has expanded its statewide and national influence, strengthened its organizational sustainability, and increased its capacity to advance meaningful impact, influence systems change, and improve equitable opportunities and outcomes for educators and learners across Pennsylvania.
Revenue Growth and Financial Sustainability
- Secure $6 million in new revenue between July 1, 2027, and June 30, 2030.
- Achieve annual revenue targets of Year 1: $1.5 million, Year 2: $2.0 million, Year 3: $2.5 million.
Strategic Funding Partnerships and Investments
- Secure 3–5 national funding partnerships or investments.
- Secure 5–8 multi-year funding commitments.
- Increase funding partnerships with foundations, government, corporate, and strategic partners.
Donor Engagement and Philanthropic Growth
- Increase individual donor participation and engagement annually.
- Increase major donor engagement and philanthropic investment annually.
- Increase donor retention and annual repeat giving.
- Establish sustainable donor cultivation, stewardship, and engagement practices.
Earned Revenue and Mission-Aligned Growth
- Launch and sustain 3–5 mission-aligned revenue-generating programs, services, and learning opportunities.
- Increase participation in fee-based programs and services annually.
- Increase earned revenue annually.
Leadership and Accountability
- Executive Directors
- Grant Writers
- Advancement Consultant
- Administrative Coordinator(s)
- Fund Development & Events Coordinator
- Regional Coordinators
- CRSE Institute Leadership Team
- Managing Director of Operations
- Finance Manager
- Fractional CFO
- Funders
- Donors
- Foundations
- Corporate partners
- Government agencies
- Community partners
- Strategic advisors
- Fundraising Committee
Strategic Objectives and Three-Year Plan
Cultivate and Deepen Individual Donor Relationships and Engagement
3-Year Revenue Contribution Target: $1.5 Million
PEDC will cultivate a growing community of individual donors and philanthropic champions who are invested in the organization's mission and impact. Through intentional, relationship- and trust-centered approaches to philanthropy, major donor cultivation, donor stewardship, annual giving, and community-based engagement, PEDC will build a sustainable culture of individual giving that strengthens long-term support and shared ownership of the work.
Key Actions and Measures of Progress
- Develop and implement an individual giving and donor engagement strategy grounded in relationship- and trust-centered philanthropy.
- Launch a series of intimate donor-hosted gatherings to introduce new audiences to PEDC's mission, impact, and vision.
- Establish donor cultivation, stewardship, and engagement systems, practices, and communications.
- Expand donor-hosted gatherings and engagement opportunities across Pennsylvania.
- Launch an annual giving campaign and cultivate a growing community of annual and major donors.
- Strengthen donor stewardship through personalized engagement, storytelling, and impact reporting.
- Establish a sustainable individual giving program that supports recurring and long-term philanthropy.
- Expand donor leadership, ambassador, and peer-to-peer engagement opportunities.
- Evaluate, refine, and scale donor engagement and stewardship strategies based on outcomes and learning.
Measures of Progress
- Increase individual donor participation and engagement annually.
- Increase major donor engagement and philanthropic investment annually.
- Increase donor retention and repeat giving annually.
Strengthen and Diversify Strategic Funding Partnerships and Investments
3-Year Revenue Contribution Target: $3.5 Million
PEDC will foster and sustain authentic, trust-based relationships with foundations, regional, state, and federal government agencies, faith-based organizations, corporate partners and sponsors, and national funders whose investments and partnerships advance a shared commitment to educator diversity and culturally relevant and sustaining education. Through strategic partnerships, collaborative investment opportunities, and multi-year funding commitments, PEDC will diversify its funding portfolio, strengthen its network of supporters, and secure the resources needed to sustain and amplify its mission and impact.
Key Actions and Measures of Progress
- Develop a comprehensive funding strategy that identifies funding opportunities from foundations, government entities, faith-based organizations, corporate and national sources, and aligns them with PEDC's priorities.
- Strengthen relationships with existing funders and cultivate new funding partners.
- Pursue multi-year funding opportunities and establish a regional and national funder engagement strategy.
- Expand foundation, government, corporate, faith-based organizations, and national funding partnerships.
- Secure new multi-year investments and collaborative funding opportunities.
- Increase visibility and positioning with state and national funders and strategic investors.
- Sustain and deepen long-term funding partnerships through stewardship, engagement, and impact reporting.
- Expand the portfolio of state, national, and multi-year funding partnerships.
- Evaluate and refine funding strategies to maximize long-term sustainability and impact.
Measures of Progress
- Secure 3-5 state and national funding partnerships or investments.
- Secure 5-8 multi-year funding commitments.
- Increase foundation, government, faith-based, corporate, and strategic funding partnerships annually.
Develop Sustainable Earned Revenue through Mission-Aligned Learning and Service Opportunities
3-Year Revenue Contribution Target: $1.0 Million
PEDC will leverage its expertise, intellectual capital, relationships, and statewide leadership to develop sustainable revenue-generating programs, services, and learning opportunities that advance its mission while strengthening organizational sustainability. Through professional learning, consulting, coaching, technical assistance, and resource development, PEDC will expand its impact while creating new revenue streams that support long-term growth.
Key Actions and Measures of Progress
- Assess and prioritize mission-aligned earned revenue opportunities.
- Develop and pilot fee-based programs, services, and learning opportunities.
- Establish pricing, marketing, and operational systems to support earned revenue growth.
- Expand professional learning, consulting, coaching, technical assistance, and related service offerings.
- Strengthen marketing, outreach, and partnership strategies to increase participation and revenue.
- Evaluate and refine offerings based on demand, impact, and sustainability.
- Scale high-impact revenue-generating programs, services, and learning opportunities.
- Develop sustainable systems and infrastructure to support growth and quality implementation.
- Explore new mission-aligned opportunities that expand impact and revenue generation.
Measures of Progress
- Launch and sustain 3-5 earned revenue offerings.
- Increase participation in fee-based programs and services annually.
- Increase earned revenue annually.
Innovation Horizon: Looking Beyond 2030
Mission-Aligned Products, Publications, and Learning Resources
Develop publications, curriculum resources, toolkits, certifications, and learning experiences that expand impact, thought leadership, and revenue generation.
In-Person Convenings, Leadership Institutes, and Learning Networks
Create statewide and regional summits, leadership institutes, and learning networks that strengthen collaboration and accelerate impact.
Cross-Sector Partnerships and Community Investment
Explore partnerships with sports, entertainment, arts, business, health, and community organizations that broaden engagement and investment in the mission.
National and Global Leadership, Partnerships, and Influence
Expand national and global partnerships, collaborations, and learning communities that strengthen PEDC's leadership and influence.
Technology, Artificial Intelligence, and Digital Innovation
Leverage technology, AI, digital learning, and innovative tools—including CRSE and educator diversity apps—to expand access, engagement, and impact.