The Rosetta StoneFoundation

Executive Strategy

Vision

We imagine a world where language learning strengthens cultural diversity and enables intercultural understanding

Mission

• To enable intercultural communication and understanding

• To restore language fluency in endangered language communities

Structure

• Director of Development– Responsible for field programs and strategic

partnership management• Grant Writer

– Manages grant programs, development of proposals , and campaigns

Stewardship Design Principles

• Balance• Interdependence• Regeneration• Diversity• Succession

Source: Anhony E. Smith 2010, Stewardship Design Principles

Balance

Creating balance in communities by dismantling communication barriers and empowering people with a sharing of voices.

Managing the balance between mission and financial sustainability.

Interdependence

Those who act have a responsibility to others

Regeneration

Cross-cultural communication

Preservation of language and cultural heritage

Peace building

Economic stimulation

Diversity

Adaptive Capacity

Compete

Collaborate

Resilience

Succession

One language lost about every two weeks.Challenge becomes stimulating cross-cultural

communication while preserving community heritage.

Memorandum of Agreement

• Strategic driver• Potential stake in heart

What will Rosetta Stone offer?• Cash problematic• In kind contributions

Other funding sources?• “Newer plants” pollinated by multiple species

(Meisel, 2010)• Diversified funding adds stability and prevents

mission from being changed by a leering sponsor

Handling unexpected success• Overwhelming success means change. Change

scares people.• People discount unexpected success like they

avoid discussing succession• RSF should make a plan to capitalize on this

source of innovation if given the opportunity

Surviving Growth• Capital needs during periods of growth often

greater than during startup period• Need superb financial management• MOA should clarify whether or not RSF will

provide assistance with financial planning

Earned Income

• RSF Business Plan– Licenses– Non-profit Intermediary

Earned Income

• Partner Groups and Financial Support• Sliding Scale System

Sliding Scale

Earned Income

• Collaborative Partnerships• Sponsorship Opportunities

Innovation

• “Weak or missing link”*• “Clear definition of objective”*

• Position Creation• Forwarding mission to unmet needs

» *Drucker 1985

Sources Used• Dallas, J. May 2010. Rosetta Stone Foundation [Discussion Board Memo]. Message posted to http://bb.emu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab=courses&url=/bin/common/course.pl?course_id=_15454_1

Drucker, P. 1985. Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Harper & Row: New York.

Feldmann, D. and Sternberg, D. (January 29, 2009). Development Director or Not: When Should We Hire a DoD? Retrieved from http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/tsn/tsn.jhtml?id=242600001.

Green, A. May 2010. Rosetta Stone Foundation [Discussion Board Memo]. Message posted to http://bb.emu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab=courses&url=/bin/common/course.pl?course_id=_15454_1

Laszlo, C. 2008. Sustainable Value. Stanford University Press: California.

May, T. May 2010. Rosetta Stone Foundation [Discussion Board Memo]. Message posted to http://bb.emu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab=courses&url=/bin/common/course.pl?course_id=_15454_1

Sources Used• Meisel, M. Personal Communication, Shenandoah National Park Field Trip. May 22, 2010.

Oster, S. (Ed.) 2004. Generating and Sustaining Nonprofit Earned Income. Jossey-Bass: California.

Palmer, G. May 2010. RSF [Discussion Board Memo]. Message posted to http://bb.emu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab=courses&url=/bin/common/course.pl?course_id=_15454_1

Reed, S. May 2010. Rosetta Stone Foundation [Discussion Board Memo]. Message posted to http://bb.emu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab=courses&url=/bin/common/course.pl?course_id=_15454_1

Rosetta Stone Foundation Business Plan. Accessed May 2010 via http://bb.emu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab=courses&url=/bin/common/course.pl?course_id=_15454_1

Smith, A. 2010. Stewardship Design Principles.