Case Studies

Keys Community : Empowering Native Americans Through Recovery, Employment, and Housing with Strategic Leadership and Support

Background

Keys Community is a nonprofit organization founded by Kyanti Palmer with the mission to assist Native Americans in overcoming addiction, securing stable housing, finding employment, and ultimately achieving long-term self-sufficiency. The organization offers a range of programs designed to help individuals in recovery reintegrate into their communities and rebuild their lives. Through a holistic approach, Keys Community aims to break the cycle of poverty and addiction while empowering individuals to regain control over their futures.

While Kyanti had a deep passion for this cause and a strong desire to make a difference, she faced several challenges in running and scaling the nonprofit organization. Kyanti needed help in managing the growing team, creating more efficient processes, and positioning herself as the effective CEO the organization needed to achieve its vision. To help her navigate these challenges, Kyanti hired Shasta N. Broadus, a business consultant with Capital Stewardship of America, to provide strategic guidance and support in the areas of team management, operational efficiency, and leadership development.

Challenge

Kyanti faced a number of obstacles in scaling Keys Community and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the nonprofit:

  • Team Management:
    As the organization grew, Kyanti found it difficult to manage her team effectively. She needed guidance on leadership, delegation, and maintaining a strong organizational culture as the team expanded.
  • Operational Efficiency:
    Keys Community’s programs were providing vital services to a large number of individuals, but internal processes were often inefficient. Kyanti recognized that the organization needed streamlined systems and processes to better serve the community and ensure smooth operations.
  • CEO Leadership Development:
    Kyanti needed support in stepping into the CEO role with greater confidence. While passionate about the cause, she needed help in refining her leadership skills, developing a strategic vision, and managing the complexities of leading a nonprofit.
  • Sustainability and Growth:
    As Keys Community worked to help more individuals, Kyanti sought advice on how to scale the organization’s impact while maintaining the quality of services. She needed a plan to sustain funding and grow the organization to reach more people in need.

Solution

To address these challenges, Shasta N. Broadus worked closely with Kyanti Palmer to implement a tailored strategy for Keys Community. The primary focus was on improving internal processes, fostering leadership growth for Kyanti, and ensuring the organization could scale its operations sustainably. Key actions included:

01

Team Development and Leadership Support:
  • Shasta guided Kyanti in developing a more structured and effective approach to managing her growing team. This included clear delegation of tasks, setting expectations, and defining roles within the organization to ensure everyone was working toward the same goals.
  • Shasta also provided Kyanti with leadership coaching, helping her step into her role as CEO with greater confidence. Together, they worked on developing her strategic vision for Keys Community, setting both short-term and long-term goals to ensure the organization’s growth and success.
  • Kyanti was also encouraged to foster a collaborative culture within the team, focusing on open communication, trust-building, and recognizing the efforts of staff and volunteers.

02

Operational Process Optimization:
  • Shasta helped Kyanti identify and implement efficient processes for key areas such as intake procedures, case management, and follow-up care. This ensured that the people receiving services from Keys Community had a streamlined experience and that the team could work more effectively.
  • To reduce administrative burdens, Shasta introduced technology solutions for tracking client progress, managing appointments, and storing records. This freed up valuable time for the staff to focus on delivering services rather than dealing with cumbersome paperwork.
  • Kyanti was also advised to develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for each program offered, ensuring consistency and quality across all areas of the organization.

03

Strategic Planning for Growth:
  • Shasta and Kyanti collaborated on creating a comprehensive strategic plan for Keys Community that included clear mission alignment and scalable strategies for expanding services. This plan was designed to help the nonprofit grow without compromising the quality of its programs.
  • They also worked on identifying potential funding sources, including grants, individual donors, and corporate sponsorships, to ensure the organization’s financial sustainability.
  • Shasta introduced Kyanti to fundraising strategies that included building relationships with local businesses and stakeholders who shared Keys Community’s values. This would help raise awareness about the organization’s mission while also generating the necessary financial support.

04

CEO Role Development:
  • Kyanti received mentorship in developing as an effective CEO. This included learning how to balance the operational needs of the organization with long-term strategic thinking.
  • Shasta helped Kyanti define her leadership style and how to effectively manage the organization’s growth while staying connected to the people being served. This also involved learning to be a public face for the organization, representing Keys Community at events and engaging with potential partners, donors, and media outlets.
  • Through regular coaching sessions, Kyanti gained the confidence to step into her role fully, understanding the importance of balancing operational decisions with long-term vision and community impact.

Results

As a result of Shasta’s strategic guidance and support, Keys Community experienced significant improvements in both internal operations and overall growth. Here are the key outcomes:

01

Improved Team Management and Leadership:
  • Kyanti felt more confident in her role as CEO and was able to effectively manage her team of staff and volunteers. The organization’s leadership structure was strengthened, with clear roles and responsibilities leading to better performance.
  • Communication and collaboration within the team improved, contributing to a more positive work environment and enhanced service delivery.

02

Operational Efficiency and Client Experience:
  • The implementation of streamlined processes helped the organization serve its clients more effectively. Intake procedures were faster, case management was more organized, and follow-up care became more personalized and timely.
  • The technology solutions introduced allowed the team to spend more time focusing on client support and less time on administrative tasks, improving the overall efficiency of the organization.

03

Strategic Growth and Sustainability:
  • With a clear strategic plan in place, Keys Community was able to expand its services to more individuals, helping more Native Americans find sobriety, secure employment, and achieve housing stability.
  • Kyanti successfully secured new funding sources and built partnerships with local businesses, organizations, and stakeholders, ensuring the organization’s long-term sustainability.

04

Expanded Impact:
  • Keys Community’s impact in the local community grew as more individuals accessed services and successfully transitioned to sobriety, employment, and stable housing. The organization gained recognition for its holistic approach to recovery and empowerment.
  • Kyanti, now a confident and strategic leader, continued to represent Keys Community at local events and advocate for Native American communities, building valuable partnerships that contributed to the organization’s growth.

Conclusion:

With Shasta N. Broadus’ expert guidance, Kyanti Palmer successfully navigated the challenges of managing and scaling Keys Community. The strategic support provided by Shasta helped Kyanti grow into her role as CEO, develop efficient operational processes, and establish sustainable funding sources for the nonprofit. Today, Keys Community is a thriving organization that continues to positively impact the lives of Native Americans in recovery, helping them overcome addiction, secure housing, and build lasting employment. The nonprofit’s continued success is a testament to the effectiveness of strategic leadership, operational planning, and a clear vision for growth.