FM Hero - 2005 Annual Report

2005 Annual Report

HERO’s Board of Directors modified the organization’s management and organization structure to meet increasing demands for service and continued escalating growth. In 2004, an assessment of organization operations led to two part-time positions (20 hours/week) for an executive director (unfilled) and office manager. In April 2005, the Board hired a full-time president/CEO, who assumed operational leadership and administrative duties formerly shared by members of an active Executive Committee and contracted grant writers.

Hours for the office manager’s position increased from 20 to 30 hours/week as of December 1, 2005, to assist in meeting requests for service and to allow for additional duties; including financial reporting formly performed by a volunteer.

The medical supplies coordinator, formerly a paid position, continues to serve in a volunteer capacity. As financial sustainability increases, the Board seeks to reinstate remuneration for the R.N., HERO’s founder, who currently serves in this capacity approximately 8 hours/week.

The first full year of leasing permanent combined office and warehouse space has allowed Project HERO to expand the inventory of medical supplies and used equipment, increasing the numbers of durable medical equipment redistributed locally on an annual basis. The addition of a warehouse worker to assist customers move heavier items and transport them to the infirm.

warehouse

Supply and equipment donations from hospitals, clinics, medical offices and care facilities continue to increase. Each week, several campuses of MeritCare Health System (Fargo) donate supplies and equipment to HERO; Innovis Health (Fargo) donates to the inventory on a semi-annual basis. Additional donations from Fargo-area agencies have been received from Elim Care Center, Bethany Homes, Healthcare Accessories (MeritCare) and Midland Hospital Supply Company. Donations regionally include items supplied by St. Mary’s Health Center (Detroit Lakes, MN), the Regional Medical Center (Fergus Falls, MN), Hospice (Detroit Lakes, MN) and other outlying hospitals and care centers (Valley City, Grand Forks, etc.).

The annual strategic planning session produced the first detailed operational plan for FY 2005.

For the first time since incorporation in 2000, HERO met (and exceeded) budgeted grant and fundraising goals (total budgeted income: $87,120; total income realized: $96,514).

HERO hosted its first-ever fundraising event (with silent auction) in November 2005, netting nearly $19,000, which includes $10,000 from a match grant. A small raffle, also a first-time endeavor, netted $1,441 during the summer.

The Board approved and instituted a handling fee in August (to offset the cost of leasing warehouse space - $12,000 annually), netting $3,443 in new revenues for fiscal year 2005.

By fiscal year-end, HERO reconstructed the agency list and updated the process to send weekly inventory lists to partner agencies exclusively by e-mail (formerly communicated via semi-monthly facsimiles).

HERO secured a grant to re-develop its Web site to provide for expanded information and services. Completion of this project includes access to the inventory and the ability to place orders online, 24/7. Donations and volunteer sign-up also will be operational in 2006.

The number of agencies receiving medical supplies and used equipment has increased from 59 in 2003 to 85 in 2004. By FYE 2005, the cumulative number of agencies served increased to105.

In 2003, HERO redistributed 3,362 items in response to 147 agency and 16 individual requests. At the conclusion of 2004, HERO redistributed 8,582 items in response to 317 agency and 35 individual requests. Figures for FY 2005 indicate 7,197 items were distributed via 256 agency and 289 individual requests. (Note: Data for 2005 reflect ten months of operations.)

In 2003, HERO supplied 15 medical mission teams with 1,160 items. In 2004, HERO provided 4,149 items in addition to 18,520 pounds of goods to 42 medical mission teams. In 2005, HERO supplied 45 medical mission teams with 4,863 items and 6,496 pounds (poundage not recorded for one quarter in 2005.)

Volunteer participation increased from 165 individuals in 2004 to 233 individuals in 2005 (January and February numbers not recorded for 2005.) Volunteer groups equaled 32 in 2004 and 28 in 2005. Total volunteer hours in 2004 equaled 463; total hours for 2005, with only ten months’ activity reported, equaled 566. HERO continues to provide worthy opportunity for service organizations, church groups and our youth.

Public-relations/community awareness activities increased. An average of 1.5 presentations were made per month in 2005 to service clubs, church groups, youth groups and community events.

The May 23, 2005 edition of FM Extra featured Project HERO as their cover story. The October 28 edition of the West Fargo Midweek featured Project HERO in a front-page article in advance of the inaugural fundraising event held in November. In addition, the president/CEO “appeared” on three local radio talk shows to promote the fundraising event in November (WDAY). WDAY TV 6 News at 10 did a follow-up piece immediately after the event. While HERO worked to set up a live remote from the event site, WDAY was unable to cover the event.

HERO launched the first public-awareness campaign prior to the fundraising event to increase name recognition and branding of the organization. A local designer, employed with a marketing/public-relations firm, donated a new logo. Due to grant funding, HERO was able to print letterhead, envelopes and note cards, displaying the new logo.

HERO received additional grant funding to work with a consultant to develop sustainable fundraising processes and carry out a mini-campaign, set to launch in 2006. A match grant accompanies this pilot program. A portion of these monies will allow HERO to produce three brochures and also hopes funding will extend to enable HERO to publish a quarterly newsletter.

HERO secured approximately ten smaller grants ($250 to $5,000) and one large grant ($35,000) between April and October to provide operating funds to sustain HERO through the organization's transition. At FYE 2005, cash available totaled $50,931 compared to $18,149 in available funds at FYE 2004.

Through grant funding, HERO was able to purchase a remote/wireless telephone headset to allow the office manager to receive phone calls while in the warehouse, thereby improving customer service. HERO also secured grant funding to purchase 40 environmentally sound supply bins, a pallet jack and a hand truck to assist with warehouse activities. HERO secured additional grant funds at year-end to replace obsolete office equipment (copier, fax, printer) in preparation for the mini-campaign scheduled for 2006.