Vital Statistics
• The Business and Professional Women’s Foundation,
which was founded in the 1960’s as a sister organization
to BPW/USA, aims to create successful workplaces
by focusing on issues that impact women, families,
and employers. From advocating for various legislations
to aiding job seekers in finding their ideal careers,
BPWF is a leader in the advancement of female participation
in the workforce. Successful Workplaces are those
that embrace and practice diversity, equity and
work-life balance. BPWF aspires to form arenas that
recognize the diverse needs of working women, communities,
and businesses. Through its groundbreaking research
and unique role as a neutral convener of employers
and employees, BPW Foundation strives to redefine
today’s workplace.
Aside from their Successful Workplaces, BPWF also
hosts a number of other initiatives. Their Young
Careerist research product, which targets those
between the ages of 21-35, provides information
on the challenges and unique opportunities that
Generation X and Millennial members of the workforce
face. Through their research, they support workplace
policy and workforce development programs that bridge
the generations for young careerists and their colleagues.
Further, by encouraging women to work in Green jobs
through their Green/Sustainability commitment, BPWF
also promotes environmentally friendly positions.
As women are underrepresented in green sector jobs,
BPWF’s efforts are meant to train, recruit, and
retain women for the sustainable jobs of the future.
Finally, in their Women Joining Forces initiative,
BPWF provides research and resources to help women
transition from a military background into civilian
lives and careers. BPW Foundation's Women Veterans
in Transition research project educates veterans
and employers on the support necessary for a successful
re-entry into the workforce, discussing issues topics
such as pay equity, paid sick leave, health care,
and continuing education.
The Challenge
Despite BPW/USA’s inspiring vision, they faced
problems such as declining membership—10% over the
last 20 years. Hit by the economic downturn, the
sustainability of programming was threatened, and
contributions and other giving-related revenue also
decreased. Through our efforts, Plexus Consuling
Group aimed to find a revenue-generating solution
that would allow BPW Foundation to continue its
programming in the areas of transitioning women
in the military into the workforce, creating successful
workplaces, developing a green jobs initiative,
and working with Generation X and Millennial members
of the workforce. Plexus’ goal was to find alternative
sources of funding to support programming through
grants and corporate sponsorship; thereby providing
more diversified sources of revenue for BPW Foundation.
In order to achieve this, Plexus Consulting Group’s
Senior Advisors developed relationships with government
and corporate sponsorship and grant opportunities—including
BRAC (Base Reduction and Closure -- referring to
military bases). Further, the BPW Foundation Board
Chair also used connections to open the door for
discussions with Wal-Mart Foundation. After applications
and a full proposal were submitted and all subjects
were interviewed, the Plexus plan was implemented
meticulously and generated remarkable results.
Measurement & Results
As a result of the work of the Plexus team, the
programming and work in workforce development strengthened
the name of BPW Foundation and branded the organization
as a leader in creating equity and work-life balance
for all women. Financially, the initiative successfully
achieved the first grant of $400,000 from Wal-Mart
Foundation to support the furthered success of BPW/USA.
Grant funding initiatives continue for BPW Foundation
as Plexus focuses on other avenues of opportunity
and also supporting BPW Foundation through the implementation
of programming resulting from the Wal-Mart Foundation
grant.
