Horizon President Rich Krieg Speaks to the Business Monthly

Saturday, May 1, 2004

(The Business Monthly) -- Q It's been about 4-1/2 years since The

Horizon Foundation opened its doors. What is the current state of affairs?

A We're very satisfied on a number of

counts. Based in large part on our Finance Committee's work, our endowment now exceeds $75 million. The Foundation currently ranks five from the top in a universe of about 300 philanthropies whose returns are tracked nationwide. The Foundation's board has set its stride, with a focus on accomplishing strategic priorities in the community health and wellness areas. On a very active basis, we partner with a large number of organizations and groups, and that will continue to be our way of engaging the community.

Q How are Foundation priorities set?

A I'm a strong believer in strategic plan-

ning. Our board-level Strategic Planning Committee shepherds this process, with the entire board taking an active part. The process includes community outreach, data review and a number of other components. We're very attentive to the work of our Horizon Community Councils, which came together about three years ago across the county. Each year since inception, we've held an overnight trustee retreat where the entire board probes the issues and adjusts the plan.

Q What are some of the Foundation's cur-

rent priorities?

A Under an energetic new coalition, we're

making headway in developing a new county-level access to health care program. The Foundation is working with county government to magnify its work in older adult health. Under a local partners group, a national model is being built to assist county seniors with chronic diseases. Based on initial work in the Howard County Public School System, we're expanding the Connections Project, aimed at improving the resilience of young people. The Foundation is playing lead roles in the community emergency response arena. We've also worked hard with a community oversight group to develop the HorizonHelp system, which brings information on health and human services into the hands of consumers and service providers.

Q You also do capacity-building for non-

profit organizations?

A Yes, we've granted out around $2.5 mil-

lion in targeted capacity-building funds. The largest recipient has been the Health Alliance, which has received about $500,000. The largest single grant of this type we made was to Family and Children's Services ($377,000) to develop a satellite office in North Laurel. Last year, the Foundation set up a Safety Net Support Program to provide special assistance to Grassroots, the Domestic Violence Center, the STTAR Center, FIRN, the Health Alliance and Family and Children's Services. We've made three capacity-building grants to the Association of Community Services and are about to announce a new capacity-building initiative with the Howard County Health Department.

Q The Foundation recently went through

its first transition in board chair with the appointment of former Columbia Association President Pat Kennedy. I understand that both of you have a Peace Corps connection?

A Dick McCauley, our founding chair, did

an extraordinary job in every phase of his chairmanship. Fortunately, Dick will be available as a continuing Foundation trustee, and he's assumed some new leadership responsibilities on the board. I'm thrilled, though, to be working closely with Pat. Beyond his major accomplishments in the community, he was one of the founders of the Peace Corps. I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Brazil and am active on the Peace Corps National Advisory Board. There's an immediate bond that all volunteers feel when they meet someone connected to the Peace Corps. In a very tangible way, I know that Pat and I both share the outlook and optimism that came from our Peace Corps work.

Richard M. Krieg is president of The Horizon Foundation and is also a member of the Foundation's board of trustees. The largest philanthropy in Howard County, Horizon is heavily involved in the community services arena as a funder, partner and nonprofit organization. Visit www.thehorizonfoundation. org for more information.