Role of community-based needs assessments in funding decisions: Susan G Komen for the Cure's national directive

Introduction: Susan G. Komen for the Cure's promise is to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to discover the cures. To meet this promise, a network of 125 Affiliates conduct biennial needs assessments to guide their funding strategies.

Methods: Komen Affiliates follow a 6 to 9 month multi-phase assessment process set up by Komen for the Cure's International headquarters office. The method requires Affiliates to 1.) recruit a diverse group of community members to be part of the community profile team 2.) analyze breast cancer and demographic data at the state, county and zip code level 3.) complete a comprehensive inventory of service area programs and services 4.) make an asset map and 5.) collect qualitative data using a combination of surveys, key informant interviews and focus groups. The community profile team is responsible for the review and prioritization of the assessment findings.

Results: For Komen Affiliates a quality needs assessment ensures that their work is targeted and non-duplicative and allows Affiliates to: align strategic and operational plans, drive inclusion efforts, establish focused granting priorities, establish focused education needs, drive public policy, strengthen sponsorship and establish directions for marketing and outreach.

Conclusion: The presentation demonstrates how a National organization with tremendous local reach is committed to the application of community based research to inform local grantmaking decisions. The community profile is the road map that informs how $80 million annually are spent at the local level.