Who

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal pioneer Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. WKKF is based in Battle Creek, Michigan, and works throughout the United States and internationally, as well as with sovereign tribes. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive, WKKF works with communities to create opportunities for vulnerable children to realize their full potential in school, work and life. Special emphasis is paid to priority places where there are high concentrations of poverty and where children face significant barriers to success.

The Challenge

Recognizing the tremendous opportunity to strengthen its grantees and therefore create greater social impact, WKKF partnered with Mission Throttle to conduct a scan of five community partners in the Battle Creek region: Burmese American Initiative (Burma Center), Generation E Institute, Urban League of Battle Creek, VOCES and Woman’s Co-op. The assessment was intended to identify capacity strengths and challenges, assist the organizations to understand their performance in several core areas, and establish capacity building goals.

How We Helped

Mission Throttle invited WKKF’s five selected community partners to complete an assessment survey designed to evaluate organizational effectiveness in areas including finances, strategy, market landscape, operations, human capital, and impact measurement. Based on the survey results, document review, and multiple conversations with the organizations, Mission Throttle provided insight into the core aspects of the organizations’ value proposition, as well as their operational strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities. Mission Throttle provided WKKF with an in-depth assessment of each select Battle Creek community partners and mapped out paths to sustainability. These organizations demonstrated exemplary impact, including strong commitment to the community, transformative outcomes, and vast potential for growth and scale. This cohort of organizations is well positioned to accelerate projects that further the objectives of WKKF’s Battle Creek Vision.

 “Working with Mission Throttle has helped us to see a broader picture of opportunities. They offer a new type of consulting service to non-profits that leads to greater mission success.”

— Teresa Momenee Young, Executive Director, Woman’s Co-op