13 Jan Camp Fire National Headquarters Recently Received a $50,000 Grant from the RGK Foundation

Camp Fire National Headquarters was recently awarded a $50,000 grant from the RGK Foundation to support their newly launched Key Market Initiative (KMI).

The Camp Fire National Headquarters (aka Camp Fire) Key Market Initiative will significantly build capacity and strengthen operations for up to ten participating Camp Fire councils across the country. Camp Fire has identified ten councils with strong growth potential to participate in the KMI, and will facilitate a Market Opportunity Analysis (MOA) and strategic business plan for each of these councils. The MOA considers a council’s current position and strengths within the council’s geographic market area, and then identifies areas of growth and expansion. The MOA will guide the development of a strategic business plan for the council. This business plan will identify specific strategies and methods to grow and improve operations, including youth programming, in areas the MOA identifies. Camp Fire will assist councils in finding local, qualified consultants to perform the MOA and to assist in developing the strategic business plan. Marketing and Revenue Generation plans will be derived from the strategic business plan to help councils achieve business plan objectives. These plans will ensure that the participating councils are able to thoroughly follow through on the MOA’s recommendations, and are on solid strategic footing to make an impact in the lives of as many youth as possible in the future.

Camp Fire’s Key Market Initiative (KMI) will help councils across the country improve program effectiveness and long-term sustainability through an improvement in their internal organizational practices. Success will lead to greater impact on youth through sustainable increases in youth enrollment, program revenue, and philanthropic giving. There is a strong, two-fold need for this project: the need for Camp Fire’s programs in general, and the need for better management practices that allow for dynamic growth in target councils.  Camp Fire’s programs address a number of broad societal needs by providing a constructive and fun environment to help youth ages 5 to 17 discover their sparks – their unique skills, passions, and interests – and grow as individuals and leaders.

Camp Fire was founded more than 100 years ago.  At first, the organization was devoted to providing girls with opportunities to discover their strengths and appreciate their natural environment. In 1975, Camp Fire became a coeducational organization where boys and girls learn to play and work alongside each other and appreciate their similarities and differences in positive ways.  In 1988, Camp Fire formalized its longstanding focus on teen service and leadership. Their heritage of cultivating community building, supporting academic readiness, and embracing diversity sets them apart.