Executive Director 101:Politics and Funding

San Jose

San Francisco

Oakland

Fremont/Milpitas

Santa Clara/Cupertino

Palo Alto/Mtn View

Silicon Valley

The Way To San Jose

Largest city in Bay Area

Nation’s 10th largest city

3rd largest California city, after Los Angeles and San Diego

The urban center of Silicon Valley

178 square miles

SJDA est. 1986; FY12-13 budget: $5.5 million

Politics and funding are linkedPolitics and funding are linked

• New organization or mature?

• Good mayor or bad mayor?

• Funding: diversify and focus

All politics are localAll politics are local

• Hostile public leaders vs. supportive

• Establish your value

• Relationships require nurturing

• Staff lasts longer than politicians

• Who needs to know?

• Involvement in elections is risky

Funding is your jobFunding is your job

The Executive Director must feed the bear

Pros and cons of diversification

Assessment districts

Contract services

Earned income

Grants

Managing politics of fundingManaging politics of funding

Show me the money

Internal Coordination• Board/Finance committee• City/local government liaison

Be careful what you ask for • Know when to say “no”

Do the paperwork • Report out/tell your story

BenefitsBenefitsYou have joined a cultYou have joined a cult

Best practices abound

Your IDA colleagues are available

You are not alone