Pilot Program Design

Supporters of Agricultural Research (SoAR) Foundation is seeking support to help us design our programming. We have many broad ideas that need focus, with clear objectives, actions, measurable activities and goals, metrics for success, plans for evaluation, etc.

One of our programs is built on our legacy work and so we have a clearer idea of this program, however we do still need to better define, write out, and budget for this work. We are in the ideation stage of our other program, and we need support on the full programmatic planning process. For both areas, we are in need of focus, direction, and written plans so that we can more easily and effectively execute our work and apply for funding. We anticipate this could include:

• Discussions about the viability of our ideas; decision making on where to focus our efforts
• Determining programmatic activities
• Defining metrics and measures of success
• Determining data collection strategies
• Determining who is responsible for which elements of the work
• Establishing project timelines and budgets

This project is a critical next step in ensuring SoAR’s sustainability and longevity. SoAR is in urgent need of more focus and clarity so that we can find core funding to continue our work, which at this time is only funded through the end of 2023.

Though we were established in 2014, we were funded by our founder to accomplish a very specific goal. Now with a broader focus and without founder funding, we have been trying to establish our identity and find institutional funders to continue this work. We are a small team of three and have been stuck trying to define our programming, understand the needs of our industry, and establish where there are funding opportunities.

We have had months of discussions and convenings about our direction that had not resulted in a clear focus, so we are ready and in need of decision making and implementation. We have the basic outline of our Advocacy program plan in place and high level ideas for our Thought Leadership program plan on paper.

Our President and VP of Programs are ready and able to start implementing our programming immediately, and our Director of Development is ready to use this programming language to apply for grants immediately. This project is a very high priority and the three of us are eager and ready to focus our efforts, communicate our vision with potential partners, and secure funding.