Who We Are
Strategic Direction 2024-2028
Achieve financial stability independent of new build sales from Hendrick Farm.
Ensure strong community participation and inclusion across all Foundation lands.
Increase volunteerism from the broader community.
Improve the connectivity of our trails with surrounding trail systems.
Gain recognition as a local non-profit that enhances the lives of Chelsea residents.
Objectives 2025
The Hendrick Foundation (HF) objectives for the coming year are designed to support the Foundation’s mission and vision:
Operational Excellence
Objective: Support and maintain infrastructure for community projects and committees
Key Results:
Maintain essential infrastructure for community projects.
Prioritize and implement two key maintenance projects for 2025.
Explore partnership opportunities with HOA phases on maintenance contracts.
Develop a multi-year maintenance plan for paths, parks, and trails.
Community Engagement
Objective: Identify and develop relationships with key organizations in the wider Chelsea community to further the HF mission.
Key Result:
Examine the implications of formalizing partnerships with Chelsea Trails and the Municipality of Chelsea.
Objective: Expand proven programs to expand to the wider Chelsea community.
Key Result:
Host one seasonal municipal event.
Objective: Identify and implement tactics to rejuvenate and reinforce community volunteer support.
Key Result:
Identify one special project that is completed with full volunteer support.
Elevate Brand Awareness
Objective: Determine and implement key strategies to build and expand knowledge of HF offerings among Chelsea residents.
Key Result:
Develop a comprehensive communications plan to strengthen key messaging, seek community feedback, and leverage all communication platforms.
Strengthen Financial Position
Objective: Develop a long-term financial plan that reflects the overall strategic direction and advances the Foundation's long-term fiscal health
Key Results:
Create a 3-year financial plan by the end of the fiscal year.
Draft a land transfer agreement.
Objective: Implement gold star financial practices
Key Results:
Establish a Finance Committee.
Achieve a balanced budget.
Review all financial and other services for value for money.
Objective: Diversify revenue streams
Key Results:
Secure funding to support a wilderness education day for the wider Chelsea community.
Investigate available grants and other funding sources, including sponsorships.
Organizational Capacity
Objective: Adopt progressive governance practices that ensure the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the Board's performance.
Key Result:
Identify, prioritize, and adopt essential policies in a multi-year rollout that recognizes the independence of the Foundation.
Financials
Explore the Foundation’s financials for the past year.
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A resident has generously donated a shed to the Foundation. This shed will have an electrical supply for the small pressure tank required for the well that serves the Foundation Garden and will also help store items related to the Foundation's activities.
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Working with the Community Garden committee, the Foundation will enhance the infrastructure along the road entrance. Grading and levelling the gravel road will improve drainage and access. The Foundation will also add parking spaces and install the bike racks purchased last year.
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The Foundation will remove invasive species (mostly buckthorn) growing along the Garden treeline. Initial discussions have started about invasives within Hendrick Park; further study is needed.
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The Busy Bee Zone in the Foundation Garden will be getting a facelift. The hives will be moved to their final location, pollinator-friendly shrubs planted to create a natural barrier around the hive area, and educational signage will be added.
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The Foundation removed the mulch in the raspberry patch and replaced it with eco-grass seed, simplifying upkeep. Thanks to volunteers, a pruning schedule has also been established.
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New trails will connect Phases 2 and 4 of the Hendrick Farm project to the Foundation’s trail system. Additionally, the Foundation is collaborating with other community organizations to solidify the Hendrick Park trails further.
This will help with trail maintenance and allow the trail to better service our community throughout the year.
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Planned tree planting by the creek will mitigate the impact of beavers and erosion.
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The Foundation will continue to support special project committees & educational programming.