Established in 1975, African American Family Services (AAFS) is an organization deeply rooted in the African American community and committed to serving the individual, family, and larger community with excellence. AAFS' mission is to provide accessible, community-based and culturally specific chemical health, mental health, and family preservation services. However, changes in the payment structure, funding sources, and costs of providing mental health services required some changes to AAFS' operations and structure. When Lissa Jones joined the organization as Executive Director, she brought a clear vision for the future. She recognized that establishing a reserve fund was a strategic way to plan for the long-term.

Drawing on her years of experience as a nonprofit consultant, Lissa undertook a review of AAFS' finances and operations. She weighed the value of owning and operating facilities across the metro area. On one hand, the breadth allowed them to serve more families and individuals close to their homes and neighborhoods. However, because the buildings were expensive to operate and maintain, AAFS spent a large portion of its budget on the facilities, rather than client services. Lissa also knew how important a reserve fund would be to remain stable and flexible for the long-term. A reserve fund would allow AAFS to respond to their community's changing needs, as well as allow them to continue to serve with excellence during difficult economic times. After assessing the situation, Lissa and the board had a clear vision for the future. They decided to consolidate operations, which would allow them to trim their budget and leverage some of the properties to create the reserve fund.

To realize this vision, they needed to find short-term financing during the process of consolidating services and selling the properties. Lissa was familiar with Nonprofits Assistance Fund and knew that they were an excellent financial resource as well as an ally with strategic insight. Working with Loan Fund Manager Janet Ogden-Brackett, Lissa and AAFS' leadership secured the financing to move ahead. The streamlining of operations offered an opportunity for AAFS to improve their financial management and address changes in their service area. They implemented new budget structures, billing systems, and accounting software and procedures. According to Lissa, Nonprofits Assistance Fund was a valuable partner during this process, "It felt like someone else was engaged and interested in our transition, invested in helping us make it happen. They always offered tangible opportunities and ways to improve our finances. They provided subtle, forward-thinking ideas to move us toward our goals."

Working with Nonprofits Assistance Fund also allowed board members to deepen their financial understanding. A board member participated with Lissa at each loan closing, and Janet walked them through the financial information and current trends in the nonprofit sector, sharing her guidance and energy. "She never made obvious suggestions or made us feel silly for not having seen something. Nonprofits Assistance Fund appreciated where we were coming from and built a relationship with us. It is fantastic to have a partner who understands the nature of a nonprofit, how it works, and is invested in your organization. It would have been much more difficult to navigate our finances and make this transition without that support."

Today, the board is actively engaged in making strategic financial decisions based on a budget that reflects their operational goals - they have developed a culture of true fiduciary responsibility. And through hard work and consolidation, AAFS has a reserve fund that will allow the organization to continue to provide excellent, accessible, and culturally sensitive service to the African American community. With increased financial and operational flexibility and stronger management systems, Lissa and the board are focused on a strategic plan for the future.