Irish Heritage Club Strategic Plan 2026

Irish Heritage Club of Seattle (IHC) – 2026 Strategic Plan

PURPOSE

To deliver a clear, measurable, and sustainable plan for 2026 that strengthens IHC’s membership, funding, governance, and community impact—while successfully delivering Irish Week 2026 as a flagship program year and celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Seattle–Galway Sister City Association, as well as our core program of annual events.

IHC MISSION STATEMENT

The Irish Heritage Club of Seattle is a nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating and promoting Irish culture, heritage, and traditions through inclusive events, education, and community engagement. We welcome participation from all who share an interest in Irish heritage across Seattle and the State of Washington.

2026 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES & BOARD GOALS

Membership Growth & Engagement

Grow paid membership by year-end 2026 in the following categories:

Single Memberships Goal: increase from 105 to 120

Family Membership Goal: increase from 102 to 120

Business Membership Goal: increase from 6 to 10

Board Membership Goal: ensure 100% compliance

Track membership retention year on year

Funding Expansion & Sustainability

Aim for 25% of hosted events to have a fiscal or Benefit in Kind (BiK) sponsor

Maintain current core grant partners

- International: Emigration Support Partner (ESP) and Culture Ireland

- Local: City of Seattle

Maintain current Volunteer Match Programs

Establish level of sponsorship guidelines to provide transparent information to ensure each sponsor or fiscal contributor receives clear communication detailing value / advertising placement expected from their sponsorship /contribution.

Program Delivery of Irish Week and IHC events

Deliver Irish Week 2026 as a coordinated, branded, sponsor-ready program that has in and beyond the Irish American Community in Seattle

Ensure 100% of events have:

- an assigned event owner

- a budget and cost-neutral plan (or Board-approved subsidy)

- a post-event report for Irish Week (attendance, outcomes, lessons learned, sponsor recognition)

Impact Measurement & Public Benefit Reporting

Track baseline metrics: attendance, volunteer hours, geographic reach, and seniors engagement

Maintain 100% compliance with all external grant requirements and reporting conditions

Partnerships & Community Collaboration

The IHC will maintain and strengthen relationships with cultural, civic, community, and funding partners to maximize public benefit, expand reach, and deliver high-quality Irish cultural programming across the region. This includes active cooperation with:

IHC Subcommittees: Seattle Gaels, Tacoma Rangers, Ceol Cascadia & the Seattle–Galway Sister City Association

Cultural partners: Irish dance schools,

Community and professional networks: Irish Network Seattle, Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers (CiiC)

Genealogy and heritage partners: Seattle Genealogy Society and heritage-focused organizations

Civic and public sector partners: The City of Seattle, Festál, King County, and the State of Washington

Business community: Seattle-based Irish businesses and sponsors supporting cultural events and community impact.

Board Compliance & Governance

Establish 2 new Board Committees by end of Calander year

Finance Committee

- Finance Committee to meet Monthly

- Treasurer, President and selected Board member

- Purpose: to establish financial controls and approval process

- To monitor financial control and spend

- To maintain fiscal responsibility

First Actions:

- Revise and present fiscal controls process to board members to ensure compliance with the following:

- contract signature authorization process

- expense approval/payment authorization process

Governance Committee
- Governance Committee to meet Quarterly

- Membership: Minimum 3 Board Members

- Purpose: Advisory committee to the Board on governance issues such as bylaws, policies, risk and sustainability

- Create a risk registry (sustainability plan for the organization

- Review and update the following for board approval:

- Current list of policies:

- IHC Bylaws

- Child & vulnerable adult protection

- Draft Board recommended additional policy for review:

- Sponsorship/brand usage policy,

- Event safety/incident reporting,

- Cybersecurity, data/privacy guidelines

Operational Excellence / Standard Operational Documents

Create an event checklist for every IHC event (permits, insurance, safeguarding, safety)

2026 PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Core annual events:
Nollaig na mBan • St. Brigid’s Celebration • Soda Bread Class & Competition • ECIFF • Mayor’s Proclamation Lunch • Painting the Green Stripe • St. Patrick’s Day Parade • Irish Festival Seattle • Memorial & Remembrance Masses • Pride Seattle/Everett • Day at the Races • Skagit Valley Games • GAA Exhibition & Summer Picnic • Children’s Christmas Party • Christmas Dinner Dance • Quarterly Seniors Program Luncheons • Welfare visits • Monthly Newsletter.

2026 recommended additions:
Seattle–Galway 40th Anniversary Celebration • Support for a Civic Visit to Galway. Irish language/culture night • new member social • volunteer appreciation gathering

SENIORS PROGRAM

Ralph Kosche and Annelise Murray to update the Board quarterly on:

- Progress of the program, including

- Changing needs of the community expansion of the program

- Welfare checks for the aging diaspora

- Persons who may need support needs from the community

- Objectives to expand reach, improve access, increase consistency and identify transport / access issues

Seattle Irish Immigration Support

Irish Heritage Club will continue to refer Irish community members seeking advice to the expert’s, Consul General for Ireland Bernard Hensey, the Irish Embassy in San Franciso and the Irish Pastoral Immigration Center in San Francisco for advice.

END (Board Executive Summary V2.0 — Jan. 2026)