Why do you need a community impact statement?

Why do you need a community impact statement? John Spillane, Esq. And Paul Belsito, Assumption College

Perception is RealityWhat is the Perception of Independent Schools? • Large land owners • Don’t pay real estate taxes • Isolated from communities • Compete with public schools for student population • Drain on municipal budgets i.e. police and fire • Use up valuable community resources • Don't pay fair share as a community partner • Have abundant wealth • Stingy with resources

Municipal Climate Today • Cuts in operating budget • Increased municipal healthcare costs • Defined benefit retirement expenses • Unable to attract new businesses • Unable to generate growth of new tax revenue • High turnover in volunteer positions • Municipal elections influence turnover • General Attitude “what have you done for me lately"

Perception and Climate = pressure on independent schools to contribute “fair share” • Government comes knocking on the door • Questions transparency • Review of tax exempt status • Focus on payment in lieu of taxes “PILOT” • Focus on land use and development • Permitting and zoning reform • Focus on taxation strategies

Community Impact Statements create a new “perception” which help to understand what the real “reality” of the private school /municipal relationship

So what do we tell? • How your institution serves as a resource for the community Use of athletic fields Use of classroom and function spaces Use of Library • Campus programs that benefit other nonprofits Who are your Community Partners How does the school serve as a resource for Community Partners Volunteerism

Campus programs that benefit townspeople • How your school meets the needs of the community • How does the school fit into the local economy Visitor spending within the Town Employees who live in the community School purchases from local businesses Capital projects that benefit local economies

Assumption College Community Impact Statement • How data was gathered • How was the data used to support impact • Examples of data • Who prepared it • Mechanics of a preparation • Cost

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Who is your Audience? • Voters • Elected Town Council • Town Managers • Members of all volunteer boards i.e. planning, conservation, zoning board of appeals, historical commission, etc. • State Representative and staff both local and at Statehouse • State Senator and staff both local and at the Statehouse • Other Nonprofits in your community • Business leaders • Other community leaders • Neighborhood associations • Public School Boards • Chamber of Commerce • Donors

How do you tell your story to your external audience? • Send the CIS with an Executive Summary, Cover Letter and a hand written note from Headmaster or President • Present at Chamber of Commerce events • Hosting symposiums on Community Impact • Remind President or Headmaster to deliver the message in speeches • Education Subcommittee of City Council • Present to NEASC • Invite all “community partners” to campus for a recognition event

How do you tell your story internally? • Utilize your Ambassadors Administration Trustees Faculty Parents Alumni Board Student Government

Marketing and Media • CIS must be predominant on webpage • Create a television news story • Create a news story for local newspaper • Enlist Community Partners to feature your relationship in their own outreach • Enlist Community Partners to write testimonials • Enlist Community Partners to write letters of support you can showcase • Use your Ambassadors to write letters to the editor promoting the community impact

Questions?

Why do you need a community impact statement?