Strategic Plan

The NATA Foundation Board of Directors feels that each of these Goals is equally important to fulfilling the mission of this organization. The numerical order of the Goals does not reflect relative importance, but is intended to facilitate organization of information.

GOALS AND STRATEGIES

1. Advance the knowledge base of the athletic training profession.
2. Encourage research among athletic trainers who can contribute to the athletic training knowledge base.
3. Provide forums for the exchange of ideas pertaining to the athletic training knowledge base.
4. Facilitate the presentation of programs and the production of materials providing learning opportunities about athletic training topics.
5. Provide scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students of athletic training.
6. Plan and implement an on-going total development program that establishes endowment funds, as well as restricted and unrestricted funds, that will support the research and educational goals of the Foundation.

GOAL #1

Advance the knowledge base of the athletic training profession

Strategies:

1. Appoint a research committee to develop and recommend the process through which research programs are managed
2. Fund both solicited and unsolicited research grant applications through a general grants program, requests for proposals, and targeted grant programs
3. Commission research projects based on research committee recommendations
4. Fund athletic training research in conjunction with other organizations

GOAL #2

Encourage research among athletic trainers who can contribute to the athletic training knowledge base

Strategies:

1. Build the research culture within the athletic training profession
2. Provide post-graduate fellowships for certified athletic trainers to conduct research and to support a Foundation scholar-in-residence program
3. Recognize and encourage the research efforts of athletic training students by awarding outstanding research awards based on NATA Foundation Free Communications program abstracts and presentations
4. Provide awards and recognition for outstanding athletic training researchers

GOAL #3

Provide forums for the exchange of ideas pertaining to the athletic training knowledge base

Strategies:

1. Present the Free Communications program at the NATA Annual Meeting and Clinical Symposium
2. Sponsor “summits” which will allow professionals to share ideas focusing on athletic training topics

GOAL #4

Facilitate the presentation of programs and the production of materials providing learning opportunities about athletic training topics

Strategies:

1. Present the Free Communications program at each NATA Annual Meeting and Clinical Symposium
2. Provide funding for educational opportunities through which athletic trainers, or others, can enhance knowledge and skills and may earn continuing education credit
3. Provide funding for the production and dissemination of athletic training educational and promotional material

GOAL #5

Provide scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students of athletic training

Strategies:

1. Appoint a scholarship committee to develop and recommend the process through which scholarships will be granted
2. Secure funding for scholarships to be awarded

GOAL #6

Plan and implement an on-going total development program that establishes endowment funds, as well as restricted and unrestricted funds, that will support the research and educational goals of the Foundation

Strategies:

1. Implement an Annual Fund and other special campaigns as necessary.
2. Solicit support from a variety of sources such as individuals, corporations and foundations.
3. Actively involve the board of directors and volunteers in fundraising.