Program Overview

The Foundation For Caregivers offers an overarching vision and plan to develop the funds needed to research as well as address caregiver issues. We see our role as facilitator, rather than organizer of caregiver research and resources. This plan will be executed through the seven initiatives outlined below. The first initiative is now complete and the second initiative is underway (see Current Initiatives); we will undertake the remaining initiatives as funds are available.

Executive Overview

Nonprofit Support Create a simplified funding mechanism for small to midsized nonprofits.
Rationale: Small to midsized charities are the lifeblood of our nonprofit system; they are the source of most new ideas, programs and street-level services. These organizations always struggle for funds, but are particularly hard hit during difficult economic times.
A simplified, self-directed funding mechanism is needed, a tool that any nonprofit can use to generate the seed and operating funds needed to start and continue their service to the community.
Action:

            		The Foundation is developing a unique "shared resource" fundraising system, a turnkey online weight-loss-a-thon that anyone can use to raise money for any IRS approved nonprofit. The only cost is a small registration fee.
Weigh To Give will also be a fundraising tool for the Foundation as we receive all registration fees.

 

Global Awareness Create global awareness of the Foundation and our initiatives.
Rationale: While the Foundation For Caregivers offers the only comprehensive program to address the informal caregiver crisis worldwide, it is a new and therefore unknown organization. To accomplish the goals set forth by the Board, the Foundation needs to become a recognized and respected global NGO.
To raise awareness and generate credibility a low/no-cost marketing program is currently underway.
Action:

            		The Foundation has developed and launched a series of marketing campaigns that utilize the power of the internet and social media to establish our global brand. 
This in initiative began in March of 2009. In May 2009 the Foundation was named as the TwittaCause 2009 Favorite Charity with 62% of the votes; more than 50% were from outside of the United States.

 

Caregiver Education Fund caregiver training projects targeting the early phase of the caregiving lifecycle.
Rationale: When one becomes a caregiver, training, if any, is generally provided by the care receiver’s healthcare professional. Healthcare professionals typically have no training tools and receive no compensation for caregiver training. As a consequence the quality of training varies, with most caregivers receiving no training at all. This approach is inefficient, ineffective in terms of both cost and quality of care, and unnecessarily stressful.
Action: An RFP will be issued and funded to develop early "Best Practices" training designed to improve efficiency and quality of care while lowering caregiver costs and stress.

 

Caregiver Registry Fund the development of a Caregiver Registry to provide a link between community resources and those needing support. A Caregiver Registry is also vital for researchers.
Rationale: Most communities and many faith-based organizations offer programs to assist informal caregivers. Unfortunately there is no mechanism to connect the caregiver to these programs. While some programs can be found on the internet, not all caregivers have access and even with access, finding local resources can be challenging.
With no database, researchers must base their work on small samplings and providing solutions is difficult.
Action: An RFP will be issued and funded to construct and operate a Registry that allows caregivers to connect and network with other caregivers and community resources.

 

Caregiver Research Fund caregiver research.
Rationale: We don't know what we don't know. Funding street-level programs and amalgamating the best solutions in existence today are important steps; these are no substitute for scientific inquiry and analysis conducted by qualified institutions. Caregiver research is therefore essential to our long term strategy.
Action: The Foundation will provide Grant funding for caregiver research. As approaches and programs are identified, the Foundation will issue RFPs and provide funding to implement these programs.

 

International Forum Fund the development and ongoing operation of an international forum to exchange ideas and practices, and to facilitate cross-country and cross-organization working groups to develop new approaches.
Rationale: The informal caregiving problem is not limited to the United States; in fact most developed countries are experiencing similar problems. Many countries, Australia for example, have public sector and private sector programs underway. Time and expenses can be saved by leveraging the knowledge gained in these various programs.
Action: The Foundation will organize and host a forum where policies, practices, and results can be shared, researched and expanded.

 

Expansion The Foundation plans to expand to additional countries as soon as practical.
Rationale: Many countries have similar caregiver problems and the Foundation has received a number of requests to deploy our structure and fundraising model to support caregiver research and nonprofit programs in those countries.
Action: As soon as practical, the Foundation will expand to additional countries.