Live Case – Project
Research and Recommendations for Funding Portfolio Diversification
A Collaboration Between
The Aurora Financial Empowerment Center will expand to become the Offices of Financial Empowerment. This needs to be carefully strategized, implemented and be sustainable over the long term. As part of our strategy to improve and expand the Aurora FEC, we need to explore and identify options for sustainable, long-term revenue. We are seeking your help researching opportunities and recommending funding strategies for portfolio/source diversification.
Research
Recommendation
Financial Plan
Funding Request
This project will build a better foundation to launch and sustain the Offices of Financial Empowerment by helping us establish a long-term funding plan.
Project Topics
Operations
Company Information
| Company | Aurora Illinois |
| HQ | Aurora, IL |
| Revenue | N/A |
| Employees | Unlisted |
| Stage | Large Enterprise |
| Hiring Potential | Follow-on Projects, Formal Internship, Entry Level Full-Time, Upper Level Full-Time |
| Website | https://www.aurora-il.org/ |
Company Overview
N/A
Experiential Learning Program Details
| School | Northern Illinois University (NIU) |
| Engagement Format | Live Case - Think "Hackathon" or Case Competition with a whole class of students! This learning format allows educators to deliver experiential learning to students at scale. Students are often split into groups to work on a live case (or a series of cases) from a real host company that directly relates to key learning objectives. |
| Course | Business in Action, Spring 2022 (Collum) – Aurora |
| Level |
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| Students Enrolled | 40 |
| Meeting Day & Time | Mon & Wed 6:00-8:40 p.m. |
| Student Time Commitment | 4-7 Hours Per Week |
| Company Time Commitment | 1 Hour |
| Duration | 10.57 Weeks |
Program Timeline
| Touchpoints & Assignments | Due Date | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Projects Revealed! Apply to be on a team.
Projects Revealed! Apply to be on a team.
01/24 and 01/26
Apply to be on a team! Go to [INSERT LINK] to indicate your preferences.
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January 24th, 2022 | Event na | |
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Project Launch! Teams Announced and Review Team Project Charters
Project Launch! Teams Announced and Review Team Project Charters
01/31 and 02/02
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January 31st, 2022 | Event na | |
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STUDENTS! Take the Project Kick-off Survey!
STUDENTS! Take the Project Kick-off Survey!
Take a few moments to complete the KICKOFF SURVEY before the project begins!
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February 2nd, 2022 | Evaluation evaluation | |
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Milestone 1 Deliverable Due
Milestone 1 Deliverable Due
02/07 and 02/09
Please upload your deliverable using the link above.
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February 7th, 2022 | Submission Required submission-required | |
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STUDENTS! Let us know how you are doing!
STUDENTS! Let us know how you are doing!
Please take a few minutes to let us know how the project is going for you with this TEMPERATURE CHECK SURVEY
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February 9th, 2022 | Evaluation evaluation | |
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Milestone 2 Deliverable Due
Milestone 2 Deliverable Due
Please upload your deliverable using the link above.
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February 21st, 2022 | Submission Required submission-required | |
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Meet with Company Representatives!
Meet with Company Representatives!
02/28 and 03/02 Company representatives meet with class.
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February 28th, 2022 | Event na | |
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Milestone 3 Deliverable Due
Milestone 3 Deliverable Due
March 7 & 9 Final project deliverable and paper due. Please upload your deliverable using the link above.
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March 7th, 2022 | Submission Required submission-required | |
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STUDENTS! Take a short survey on YOUR learning experience!
STUDENTS! Take a short survey on YOUR learning experience!
Please take a few minutes to complete this SELF ASSESSMENT SURVEY on your learning experience with this project!
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March 12th, 2022 | Evaluation evaluation | |
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STUDENTS! Let us know about your observations and experiences working with YOUR PEERS on this project!
STUDENTS! Let us know about your observations and experiences working with YOUR PEERS on this project!
Please take a few minutes to complete this PEER ASSESSMENT SURVEY!
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March 12th, 2022 | Evaluation evaluation |
Key Project Milestones
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February 7, 2022 - Deep-Dive into the Organization
- Become familiar with the organization’s history, mission, vision and goals.
- What is the organization’s value proposition?
- Who are the key stakeholders?
- Who is the target audience? What problem does the organization help them to solve?
- What is the scope of services that the organization provides? How does the company categorize and organize the services they will provide?
- How is the organization funded? How would you describe their portfolio of funding sources? What areas do they see as opportunities diversify?
- What are the fundraising goals and objectives? How can/will the current project contribute to the fundraising efforts?
- What can the organization provide you on their previous fundraising strategies, or strategies they’ve used to gain support for the organization? What was successful? What wasn’t?
Suggested Deliverable:
Infographic overview of the organization and project objectives (internal); questions for industry mentor
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February 21, 2022 - Explore Potential Revenue Streams & Fundraising Strategies
- Conduct research to learn best practices for fundraising strategies/tactics for similar organizations.
- Where and how do like-organizations obtain funding? Are there any innovative practices?
- Who are their target audiences? What channels do they use to reach them?
- How do they leverage social networks?
- What individuals and organizations are considered ideal targets for fundraising efforts? Can you develop a list of potential fundraising streams?
- What messages, content, meanings should be used to educate target audiences about the organization, its value and impact for individuals and communities? What stories would shape their perceptions to create the desired image? Brainstorm to list key messages and stories.
- What research grant programs can help them grow stronger under a limited budget? Research open and future opportunities that are a good fit for as a organization and create a table:
- Title, source, brief description?
- Qualifications are for the grant?
- How much funding will be awarded?
- Key deadlines?
- Acceptance rate?
- Of the range of strategies you’ve uncovered, which 2-3 rise to the top as a good fit for the organization, and why? How will these help to diversify their portfolio?
Suggested Deliverable:
Curated, annotated, and organized (e.g. tabled) resources; Presentation outlining findings from exploratory research; questions for industry mentor
- Conduct research to learn best practices for fundraising strategies/tactics for similar organizations.
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March 7, 2022 - Propose 2-3 Fundraising Strategies
- Of the fundraising strategies shared with the industry mentor(s), which 2-3 should move forward for development into a final set of recommendations?
- What additional information or resources can you provide in order for the organization to have a clear understanding of the goals, action steps, and resources they need? For instance, if you recommend pursuing grant opportunities, provide a guide with key information about the grant process.
- In what measurable ways do your recommendations help to diversify the organization’s portfolio? Can you diagram the difference?
- What are the costs/benefits of each strategy?
Suggested Deliverable:
Report (with tables, diagrams) & Presentation
Project Resources
- Aurora FEC Overview
- FEC Budget 2022
- FEC Projected Revenue 2022
- Aurora FEC Training - Outcomes
- Funding Recommendations Q&A
- Improved Outcomes Q&A
- Marketing Q&A
Industry Mentors
Academic Mentors
Assigned Students
There are currently no students assigned.