non profit strategic planning consultant

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NONPROFIT STRATEGIC PLANNING SERVICES

The SCP team has facilitated more than 200 strategic planning processes for nonprofit clients since our inception in 1994. Our nonprofit strategic planning experts guiding organizations to reach their fullest potential through efficient and effective processes and clear and practical strategies. Over the past five years, SCP has grown exponentially and expanded our nonprofit practice to support up to eight nonprofit strategic planning clients at a time.

All Strategic Planning Processes Available in Virtual Format

Even before the 2020 pandemic required virtual delivery of programs, the SCP team expertly conducted in-depth interviews, planning sessions, and focus groups via videoconferencing platforms. Of course, when it is safe to resume in-person strategy sessions and leadership retreats, we will be pleased to schedule interactive and inspiring onsite and offsite events.

Customized but Built on a Tried-and-True Foundation

Our deep and broad experience working with nonprofits has taught us that no two organizations are alike; it is for that reason that we are keen on customizing our nonprofit strategic planning processes to reflect each client’s unique situation. “Customization” does not suggest, however, that we start from scratch in helping nonprofit clients create strategic plans. Rather, it means that we use our decades of experience in nonprofit strategic planning as the foundation on which we build customized program elements to reflect each client’s challenges as it strives to achieve its goals and further its mission.

We Take a Phased Approach When Developing Nonprofit Strategic Plans

We begin each nonprofit strategic planning program by hosting a kickoff meeting with the leadership team during which we gain a full and deep understanding of the leadership team’s goals and objectives. It is during this phase of the process that we ask salient questions to get to the heart of the organization: its values, vision, challenges, and opportunities.

During subsequent phases of our strategic planning process, we work closely with leadership, key staff, boards of directors, donors, community partners, and other internal and external stakeholders – engaging in detailed discussions to glean ideas for growth, maintaining and expanding programs, refining fundraising strategies to bolster financial health, and forging and strengthening partnerships with the local community. Most of our nonprofit strategic planning programs include the following elements:

• Skill-building sessions
• Board and stakeholder retreats
• Focus groups
• In-depth interviews
• Stakeholder surveys

Strategic Plan Implementation Assistance Helps Ensure Accountability

After data collection efforts have been completed and de-brief meetings are conducted with leadership, SCP creates detailed strategic plans, including metrics against which progress can be measured. By working closely with leadership, key staff, boards of directors and external stakeholders throughout the entire planning process, SCP not only develops clear and actionable strategic plans that tie into organizational goals, but also helps leadership teams implement core elements of the strategy through continued Project Management or Interim Management services.

Representative Nonprofit Strategic Planning Clients

Disability Rights Maryland; Disability Rights Pennsylvania; Ligmincha International United Cerebral Palsy of Central Pennsylvania; Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania; United Methodist Home for Children; AHEDD; Northeast Regional Cancer Institute of Scranton, Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania Coalition against Rape; Resource Center for Domestic Violence; Project Share; and Mission Central, to name only a few of our clients.

Hands-on Knowledge of Nonprofit Organizations

SCP’s consultants have hands-on knowledge and a thorough understanding of the nonprofit sector’s policies, procedures and operations. Because of the diverse experience and expertise that our consultants bring to nonprofit client engagements, SCP can provide practical and applicable knowledge and insights to help organizations move forward and upward through clear, concise and action-oriented strategic planning programs. Learn more about our strategic planning process.

What is your plan for achieving mission success?

Need guidance? We’re here to help!

Nonprofits exist for the good of us all.

Sterling exists for the good of nonprofits..

Because nonprofits cannot thrive on noble missions alone, Sterling serves as a business consultancy that helps mobilize nonprofits and the people behind them, equipping these vital organizations with the structure, strategies, and resources to operate effectively and for the long run.

Since 1988, Sterling has partnered with more than 400 diverse organizations across every sector—from AA to Zebra, from decades-old to merely days. Yet one truth holds fast: Good planning is good business.

And it’s as essential as ever for nonprofits in a sector that only swells with competition and complexity, who must meet the demands of an increasingly selective and sophisticated set of audiences.

We are driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and pride ourselves on the responsiveness and resourcefulness required to move the needle for nonprofits.

We are our clients’ fiercest champions and most persistent challengers, provoking the remarkable potential we see in each of their efforts, and linking arms with them from Day One-til-Done to translate creativity and compassion into critical impact.

Organizational Planning

Effective execution stems from a robust plan of action. We draw on our team’s deep experience in fundraising and nonprofit management to deliver comprehensive reviews and planning services for individual departments or the organization as a whole.

Campaign Feasibility & Planning

Is your organization campaign-ready? With more than 250 successful campaign partnerships over more than 30 years, our team works with clients to map out a detailed plan to ensure campaign success.

Campaign Management

Once you have a solid campaign plan, it’s time to put it in motion. We partner with volunteer and staff leaders to manage every phase of a campaign. Some clients only require strategy and guidance, whereas others need turnkey support, so we tailor our scope of management services to the particular needs of each client.

Strategic Planning

A strong strategic plan clarifies priorities, provides clear direction for the staff and Board, allows all members of the team to work effectively to advance the organization’s mission, and establishes measurable benchmarks to monitor performance. We tailor our tried-and-true process to meet each organization’s unique needs and characteristics.

Strategy for Funders

Individual and institutional donors have their own missions and theories of change. We partner with foundations and individual philanthropists to define their funding strategies, develop evaluation processes, and understand and implement best practices.

Customized Consulting

One size does not fit all, and sometimes an organization’s needs don’t fit squarely into any particular service line, so we offer customized scopes of work based on our clients’ specific needs.

We believe the optimism that powers nonprofits is more than an outlook—it’s an imperative.

We wake up each day inspired by our clients’ work and hungry to help them succeed—because we know that healthy, high-functioning nonprofits contribute to healthy, high-functioning communities. And because we share in the greater belief that by proliferating beauty, information, and the power of ideas, not only can we smooth our world’s wrinkles—we can safeguard it for generations to come.

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Bernuth & Williamson

Bernuth & Williamson helps foundations and think tanks leverage their ideas and investments for greater impact.

Bernuth & Williamson helps environmental and conservation groups set clear goals and measure their performance.

Bernuth & Williamson helps global health and development groups increase organizational effectiveness.

Bernuth & Williamson helps educational, cultural, and service organizations become more efficient and effective.

NGOs and their funders come to Bernuth & Williamson for assistance in solving complex organizational challenges. Diverse in terms of size, strategy, and sector, our clients all share a common commitment to improving their organizational effectiveness and increasing their mission impact. more→

What Clients Say

“We’re repeat customers.” — Carter S. Roberts President & CEO World Wildlife Fund

“I am always suspicious of consultants, but I have nothing but good things to say about my engagement with Bernuth & Williamson.” — William Warshauer President and CEO TechnoServe

Listen to our Podcasts

Henry Berman, Chief Executive Officer at Exponent Philanthropy

Listen to other podcasts in this series»

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How could we help your organization?   Contact Us Today

News & Ideas

How is your organization’s dei journey progressing.

Betsy Garside

Over the past few years, our clients are being much more intentional and descriptive about how diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) must be reflected in their emerging strategies. We are right there with them. For many of our clients, diversifying … more→

David Williamson

Some milestones resonate more than others, but turning 40 is a big one by any measure - in organizations just as much as people. Over and over, we have found that once a nonprofit institution hits about 40 staff, the people and behaviors that worked … more→

Survival: Nonprofit mergers in the age of coronavirus

Stephanie Flack

A recent New York Times article distilled nonprofits’ mission in the time of Coronavirus down to one word:  survival.  From health and human services to arts and education to environmental conservation, our nation’s nonprofits now share this common … more→

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Nonprofit Strategy & Business Models

Spectrum’s dynamic approach helps your nonprofit’s business model stay relevant for much longer than traditional strategic planning consulting. Preview our methods in two best-selling books co-authored by Spectrum Principal Steve Zimmerman on how to build a more sustainable nonprofit. 

Our Approach

Strategic planning consulting services for nonprofits.

Spectrum Nonprofit’s approach to strategic direction for nonprofits is different: Unlike rigid plans that don’t account for evolving circumstances and nonprofit business models, we help you craft an adaptive strategy that can stand up to big internal and external changes. Whether it’s a crisis like COVID-19 or a change in constituent needs, Spectrum Nonprofit provides strategic planning consulting services for nonprofits that help organization leaders navigate what’s next.

Spectrum Nonprofit Services will collaborate with you to consider how your people, finances, and purpose all work together in service of your mission.

Our strategic systems provide you and your team with a roadmap, while also equipping you with the tools to change course along the way, empowering you to implement modifications when the world evolves.

Compassionate

Everyone on our team has worked in in-house nonprofit roles to solve the precise problems you’re facing, bringing insight and support every step of the way.

Our Services

Spectrum Nonprofit’s expertise is customizable based on your organization’s needs and your project scale. We can work with you on one or a number of these services as needed.

Implementation Coaching

Client successes.

Read how Spectrum Nonprofit Services’ approach to strategy consulting and nonprofit business models strengthened the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra’s (MYSO) financial health, while identifying new opportunities to expand its reach and mission impact.

Need help solving a major challenge at your organization?

Reach out for tailored solutions that work for your organization and community.

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Expert guidance, hands-on support.

Too often, consulting partners leave you with a strategy you can’t afford. The realities of implementation often limit nonprofits’ ability to put good plans into action. Our embedded approach starts with aligning your leadership team on mission, vision, and goals.

Ruch C. Browne, SD, President & Chief Executive Officer, Ronald McDonald House New York

We ask questions like:

• Does your plan have competitive advantages? Will it stand out? What makes it unique?
• Can everyone in your organization get on board with the plan and invest themselves in it?
• Are your internal resources aligned with your strategic goals? What do you need to change or add in order to get where you want to go?

Then we help you build a strategy that is actionable, achievable, and grounded in reality.

Strategic Planning

We develop strategic plans with you through stakeholder dialogue, environmental scans, and a thorough analysis of your organization’s current business operations. We help you draw from your core values and manifest your mission in its highest state, while also embracing real-world flexibility so you can adapt to currents in the swiftly and often radically changing philanthropic sector.

See our strategic planning work in action

Development Audits

We’ve seen many nonprofits try to achieve growth and long-term sustainability without solid development operations in place, merely hoping for results rather than intentionally building toward them. The outcomes are predictably unpredictable.

Orr Group conducts data-driven evaluations that can range from comprehensive analyses of development operations to more granular studies of your major gift program, planned giving program, or individual giving program. Our approach always relies on the four pillars of successful fundraising: case, leadership, donors, and systems.

Based on our findings, we craft a development roadmap that’s plotted on your values, culture, organizational assets, and potential for growth. We include routes to both short-term milestones and long-term, sustainable relationships with donors, your board, and key stakeholders. You come away from our partnership with a clear, comprehensive, achievable plan.

See our development work in action

How can Orr Group help you build strategy? Get in touch with us today.

Read about more about strategy.

Successful Strategic Planning: How To Think Like A Psychologist

As you start framing the next strategic planning process for your nonprofit, channel your inner psychologist.

Mid-Year Review Time: How To Get Your Fundraising Plan Back On Track

Falling behind on this year’s fundraising plan? Here are several steps to course-correct and re-focus your efforts.

Fundraising in Uncertain Times: Engaging Donors & Maximizing Philanthropy | Orr Group TALKS

We’re joined by National Philanthropic Trust’s Eileen R. Heisman, ACFRE, to explore fundraising trends and strategies for planning ahead.

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A Community of Consultants Serving the Nonprofit Sector

For more than 30 years, ACN has strengthened nonprofit organizations by serving as a society of professional nonprofit consultants. Our consultants are located throughout the United States and Canada and work with local and national organizations in areas from Association Management to DEI and from Social Media to Strategic Planning.

As thought leaders in this focused and ever-changing sector, our members provide organizations with a rich resource of expertise, education and experience. We hope our site helps you find a consultant, submit an RFP, learn about our events, or get advice. New members are always welcomed! 

Mission Statement The Association of Consultants to Nonprofits envisions a world where all organizations doing social impact work have the external expertise they need to fulfill their missions.

Statement of Purpose ACN raises the profile of consultants doing social impact work by providing its members with opportunities to build relationships and expand their expertise.

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Strategic Planning

Building organizational capacity for the non profit.

Strategic Planning is the means of envisioning your non profit future and asking these three basic questions:

• Where have we been?
• Where are we now?
• Where do we want to go?

Strategic Planning emphasizes the process in addition to the end product and includes your mission, vision, creativity, values and organizational culture.

Strategic Planning is a tool for transforming your mode of functioning from being reactive to pro-active. The future is anticipated and opportunities utilized through Strategic Planning. Strategic Planning is future-based, led by creative thinking. An important benefit of the process is team building that is nurtured by an inclusive process.

Benefits of Strategic Planning:

• Ignite ingenuity and new approaches
• Greater investment of volunteers, community, funders and partners
• Frame a common vision for your non profit
• Crystallize non profit belief and values
• Visualize strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats
• Context for daily actions and decisions
• Bring new people onto the board
• Create and update brand identity items

It gives you a blue print to follow. A strategic plan is an excellent marketing piece for funders and community partners as well as a road map for your organization’s growth.

Planning to Plan  – deciding to undertake the Strategic Planning process, board of trustees’ approval and buy in, leadership selected, consultant hired

Needs Assessment  – evaluating the present situation both internally and externally, using reliable measuring tools, identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats

Mission  – clear, concise, inspirational statement of the dream that defines the non profit.

Vision  – visualization of what the non profit can be, how you are going to change the neighborhood, the community, or the world.

Strategy  – how are you going to implement the mission and build your vision, goals/objectives: specific timetables, accountability accomplishments and measurable outcomes to fulfill the mission and vision.

Plan  – pragmatic action plan, presented both internally and externally to exhibit the highlighted results from the Strategic Planning process.

Asset Building

WCA can help you increase your organization’s revenue and expand your donor base.

Professional Growth

Move your career forward with professional assessment and guidance.

Partner with Nonprofit Experts Who Get Your Priorities

Technology has the power to help you help the people you serve. By providing insights and guidance that bridge the gap between where you are today and where you want to end up, our nonprofit strategic consultants support you in planning and designing an achievable roadmap to bring your big ideas to life.

Solutions as Unique as Your Organization

Every industry has a specialized set of demands, so any out-of-the-box approach is destined to come up short. Instead, we’re that rare breed of nonprofit strategic planning consultants who apply a fresh perspective to proven processes, helping you implement innovative technology and data management solutions to reach your goal.

Higher Education

Performing arts, museums and attractions, faith-based, advocacy & social services, helping these mission-driven organizations make the world better.

It’s time to make the technical more personal.

Turn your technology investment into a powerful advantage. Our nonprofit consulting experts are here to show you how.

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Strategic planning consulting.

Annual and multi-year planning for nonprofits and NGOs

Effective strategic planning ensures your organization’s relevance – or allows you to go out of business with grace. Effective planning can reduce uncertainty and help manage risk and change. Effective planning can help you identify the unforeseen or unforeseeable, distinguish between concern and alarm, and anticipate risk or gamble.

The process of strategic planning is as important as the resulting written document. Working together, staff and volunteers learn more about their organization and constituents, and build understanding, cohesion, and commitment. Good planning helps your organization learn, respond to change, and remain relevant.

The written plan The planning process also produces a written document – which anyone ought to be able to read and understand! The plan is then used by staff and volunteers to direct and evaluate their activities.

Annualizing the multi-year long-range plan Annual priority-setting produces an action plan that integrates the activities of board and management. Annual benchmarks – based on multi-year measures – moves from the big picture of organizational priorities down to the performance objectives and appraisal parameters of individual staff. Through this process, you can dramatically improve staff ownership and organization productivity and success.

“Thank you!!! You are a terrific facilitator and, as one of our Board members said, a very brave woman. Many board members and I appreciated your asking the hard questions, and doing so in a way that allowed for answers. Thank you, too, for all your counsel. You are wonderful to work with.” (NY environmental organization) “Simone has the ability to shed light when there is darkness.” (NY executive director) “Thanks for your great example, for your bold and gracious challenges, for your steadfast belief in the ability of committed people to change the world.” (CT executive director) “It has been an absolute pleasure working with you over the past several months. Everything that we thought would be possible within the strategic plan you proved to be correct. You are by far the best at what you do.” (CEO, RI human service agency)

Strategic Planning Services

• Designing and facilitating the various elements of the planning process (Handout: Creating Your Strategic Plan )
• Securing input from diverse stakeholders through focus groups, key informant interviews, and surveys
• Identifying and helping to compile information that informs the planning process
• Designing and facilitating the decision-making process, typically some form of retreat
• Drafting overall directions and goals
• Working with your leadership to define strategies and timeframes
• Defining measures and the process to monitor progress
• Writing the plan – or editing your draft of the plan

My book, Strategic Fund Development: Building Profitable Relationships that Last, 3rd edition (John Wiley & Sons, 2011), includes a lengthy chapter on institutional strategic planning. When you purchase the book, you’ll gain access to more than two dozen online appendices. These appendices include sample fundraising plans, sample strategic plans, and much more.

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Simone Joyaux, ACFRE, Adv Dip, FAFP, Certificate in Philanthropic Psychology is an internationally recognized expert in fund development, board and organizational development, strategic planning, and management.

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As a leader, you want to make sure your organization has a shared vision of the future, and the strategy to get there. Propel Nonprofits consultants are experienced at providing strategic planning, succession planning, board development, and other strategic services to organizations. We will partner with you to design and complete the right strategic process to meet your organization’s needs.

Mario Hernandez

Amanda duhon, strategic consulting services.

Strategic Development

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Organizational Impact

Related resources, considering options along the strategic alignment spectrum.

Based on organizational goals, there are many options along the realignment spectrum including program transfer, joint ventures, and others.

Treasurer and Finance Committee: Right People, Clear Roles

This article by Kate Barr clarifies the treasurer’s and finance committee’s roles so they play a strategic part in oversight,…

Board Communication: Reporting Financial Information

This resource outlines the types of financial reports that are needed by a board, as well as how to present…

Upcoming Trainings

Fundamentals of nonprofit board governance.

You will learn typical board responsibilities and explore the nuances of board authority and relationships. While this training is open to all, it is designed for those new to serving on a board or those who are contemplating joining a board.

Nonprofit Leadership Transitions

Join us to learn about preparing for an upcoming leadership change, setting yourself up for a successful search process, and onboarding your new leader for short-term and long-term success.

Building an Effective CEO + Board Chair Partnership

We recommend the nonprofit’s executive director and board chair attend this session together to explore their critical relationship and to discuss how they will support each other in leading their organization to success.

Our team has worked with organizations of all budget sizes, staff sizes, and more. We’re looking forward to working with you on your next project.

Amanda Ziebell Mawanda

Sindiswa Georgiades

Leah Porter

Hopewell Music Cooperative North

"We received advice for how to effectively partner with the board and offer support through board development, and as an organization we were able to pivot and be responsive when the pandemic began." Andrea Myers, Executive Director, Hopewell Music Cooperative North

Stay informed with our news, tips and resources designed to help you be successful in your mission.

Nonprofit Strategic Planning: Key Steps + Top 10 Examples

A new year approaches, and your nonprofit is eager to raise more than ever before. You don’t have a set plan in place, but as long as you host a series of fundraising campaigns and reach out to your major donors every now and then, you should be on track to meet your goals, right?

Think again! You might have a strong guiding mission motivated by a worthy cause, but if you don’t have a roadmap to carry out that mission effectively, it’ll be much more difficult to see your goals through.   Strategic planning   gives your organization the foundation it needs to weather any storm and stay on track to completing your objectives.

In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about nonprofit strategic planning, including:

Nonprofit Strategic Planning FAQs

Steps for creating a nonprofit strategic plan, the essential nonprofit strategic plan template, top ten examples of nonprofit strategic plans, tips for maintaining your nonprofit’s strategic plan, how a nonprofit consultant can support strategic planning.

Backed by a comprehensive strategic plan, you’ll be able to advance your mission and power more good in your community. Let’s begin!

Before we jump into how to create your strategic plan, you’ll need to have the basics down. Let’s break down what a strategic plan is and how it can benefit your organization.

What is a strategic plan for nonprofits?

A nonprofit strategic plan is a bold plan of action that aligns an organization’s goals with its values to provide a dynamic performance map for future endeavors. 

It is, of course, impossible to anticipate all of the slowdowns or obstacles that might arise throughout a specified time period. However, a strategic plan allows your organization to face any challenges that may come your way with a unified mindset driven by an overarching blueprint.

The strategic planning process involves assessing your organization’s current situation, consulting with team members and formalizing findings into an action plan.

What are the different types of strategic plans?

Your organization may desire a strategic plan to help get through a specific initiative or unexpected event, or you may just want guidelines for the years ahead. There are different types of strategic plans based on your nonprofit’s primary objective, including:

• Standard strategic plan:   Like its name suggests, a standard strategic plan is the typical model for creating a roadmap for achieving your overarching long-term goals. This conventional planning model is best suited for nonprofits whose internal and external conditions are stable. For instance, if your nonprofit has good standing in its community, isn’t experiencing any political or economic threats and has consistent donor support, you can benefit from this traditional strategic approach.
• Issue-based strategic plan:   Unlike a standard strategic plan, an issue-based strategic plan is favorable for nonprofits that are experiencing a specific internal problem. For instance, consistently falling short of your   online fundraising goals   or experiencing increased staff turnover would constitute a need for issue-based strategic planning. Your goals for an issue-based strategic plan will be more specific than those of a standard strategic plan so you can correct the given issue.
• Organic strategic plan:   An organic strategic plan is similar to an issue-based strategic plan, but is ideal for nonprofits that are facing an external threat. For example, a new government policy that affects your nonprofit’s work might prompt your organization to create this type of plan. An organic strategic plan allows you to consider how this external threat is affecting your nonprofit and how you can proactively make adjustments to better meet your future goals.
• Real-time strategic plan:   A real-time strategic plan is necessary for nonprofits that are experiencing an unexpected event, like a natural disaster. For example, if you’re an animal rescue organization and a hurricane damaged several of your shelters, you’ll need this plan to act fast. Rather than making long-term goals for the future, this plan involves setting short-term goals to quickly solve the problem at hand.
• Alignment strategic plan:   An alignment strategic plan seeks to improve collaboration between different teams at your nonprofit. For example, if your fundraising team isn’t in constant communication with your marketing committee (and vice versa), you’ll likely have a gap in how well you’re able to promote your fundraising needs to your donors. This type of planning involves brainstorming ways your team members can better work together and laying out a framework for more seamless communication, such as establishing monthly check-in meetings between different teams.

Consider the different obstacles and opportunities your nonprofit is facing to help you decide which type of strategic plan makes the most sense for you to create at this time. Keep in mind that while the situational factors that inspire these different types of plans may differ, the core planning process is the same. Backed by a comprehensive plan, you’ll be able to lay out a clear framework for turning your goals into reality.

Why should your nonprofit create a strategic plan?

Without a strategic plan, it’s very challenging to keep your organization on track and complete goals in an efficient manner.

For example, you might want to tap more donors to power your community initiatives. But how many donors are necessary? How will you measure your success? What campaigns or   stewardship activities   will you lead? Without clear answers to questions like these, you won’t have the necessary preparation to confidently tackle your objectives.

A strategic plan helps simplify decision-making whenever your organization reaches a crossroads or an unexpected situation. It synthesizes the various teams within your nonprofit so that everyone, from your board to staff leaders, is on the same page.

What are the benefits of strategic planning for nonprofits?

As mentioned previously, there are numerous benefits of nonprofit strategic planning, from simplifying decision-making to helping achieve goals promptly. These   benefits are multiplied   when your board members and staff leaders are engaged and in agreement with your nonprofit’s strategic plan from the start.

Involving your top leaders and decision-makers in strategic planning ensures these important stakeholders feel a sense of ownership over the plan. This leads to greater accountability when carrying out the plan because each individual feels more responsible for seeing it come to fruition.

Additional benefits of strategic planning include:

• Better time management.   You’ll gain a better sense of which tasks you can eliminate from daily activities to save time. If something doesn’t align with your priorities, you can rearrange your staff’s responsibilities to reorient the team around your strategic plan.
• Ability to say no to activities or projects that don’t align with your priorities.   Whenever new ideas arise, you’ll have a clearer sense of direction for which ideas should be pushed forward and which shouldn’t.
• Improved staff and board management.   A strategic plan ensures staff and   board members   understand their roles and have clearly defined responsibilities.
• Better understanding of your guiding principles.   Undergoing the process of reviewing your organization’s principles and modifying your approach to achieving your goals can help rally everyone around your guiding priorities.
• Opportunity to clarify/strengthen your organization’s mission statement.   Use the strategic planning process as an opportunity to carve a niche for your nonprofit in the industry by strengthening your mission statement. Get to the heart of your mission by inviting input from individuals both inside and outside of your organization.
• Opportunity to assess results.   When top leaders are involved in both goal-setting and follow-through, they’ll be more likely to set realistic goals and understand their role in working toward those goals.

If you decide to invest the time and energy into strategic planning, the benefits can positively influence your organization for years to come.

Aly Sterling Philanthropy recommends adopting an individualized strategic planning model that focuses on strengthening your nonprofit’s financial health, capacity, effectiveness and relevance within the community. This process involves a partnership with an   experienced nonprofit consultant   who brings robust planning tools and resources, and your nonprofit leaders themselves who have insider knowledge of your organization.

The essential steps of this strategic planning approach include:

The strategic planning process begins with a pre-planning session between the consultant and organizational leaders. In this meeting, you’ll take a deep dive into your organization to assess its history, infrastructure, core programs and vision for the future.

Another element of the pre-planning process is   surveying stakeholders   to gather insights and opinions. Depending on your nonprofit’s situation, your stakeholders may include:

• Current and past board members
• Current and past annual, major and planned giving donors
• Influential community members such as political leaders, foundations or trust officers and church leaders
• Prominent business owners
• Volunteers and staff
• Certain recipients of your services, such as patients, alumni or consumers

When conducting these interviews, it’s important to choose participants carefully. Seek a variety of perspectives, including from individuals who’ve expressed discontent with certain aspects of your organization. These perspectives can provide the tough love needed to help your organization grow and become more effective.

Donor or volunteer surveys are also a great way to continue your supporter stewardship efforts. Supporters are typically flattered to be asked to participate and offer their points of view.

The next step to strategic planning is engaging your board and staff members in a dynamic strategic planning retreat. This encourages organizational leaders to consolidate and discuss their thoughts in a dedicated, action-oriented forum.

Within this half-day retreat, leaders will establish priorities and start to visualize what success looks like with the help of the consultant. In this time, the consultant will build consensus and seek suggestions for short- and long-term opportunities and hurdles.

In the final strategic planning step, your   nonprofit’s consultant   will summarize their findings and offer a recommended plan of action to your organization’s leadership. The consultant will review the highlights and top insights from the planning retreat to highlight key priorities.

Your partner will continue to provide dedicated support as your nonprofit identifies responsibilities for each leader, key objectives, performance indicators and a timeline for completion. This encourages accountability throughout the implementation process.

In the Aly Sterling Philanthropy strategic planning model, a consultant leads your team through each step of the process. This specialist facilitates everything from managing the stakeholder surveys to the planning retreat and final strategic plan document.

By the end of the strategic planning process, your organization will be equipped with a dynamic plan of action.

Your organization’s strategic plan will be based on several guiding pillars. These pillars are the elements within your organization that require the most attention. In this section, we’ll present a template for what your organization’s plan might look like and explain each element.

Let’s walk through an example of a strategic plan for a nonprofit that focuses on these five pillars:

• Mission clarity:   Why are you in operation? What does your nonprofit do to make a difference in the community?
• Marketing and PR:   How do you communicate your mission to a wider audience?
• Financial sustainability:   How do you sustain your operations?
• Community engagement:   How do you raise awareness of your mission in the community and earn support?
• Infrastructure and process:   Is your organization’s infrastructure aligned with your strategic goals?

Here is an example plan for the fictional XYZ Foundation. The first page of this strategic plan summarizes each of these pillars, including the specific goal and action steps associated with each:

Use this blank version to add your nonprofit’s pillars and action steps:

Next, you can break down each pillar into its own chart to pinpoint specific actions and tasks associated with every priority:

For each priority, determine the associated action steps, timeline/milestones, leaders, necessary resources and future/ongoing actions:

• Action steps:   What tasks, projects or events are necessary to complete the priority? List out each required step that will allow your team to complete the goal.
• Timeline/milestones:   When should you complete each task? Having a set timeline for each step is a great way to foster accountability.
• Leaders:   Which team member(s) will take responsibility for each task? Ensure each person is aware of their role and the associated timeline for completing their tasks.
• Necessary resources:   What resources will you need to be able to complete each task? These might include people, databases or input from board members or staff members.
• Future/ongoing actions:   How will you ensure that the task or project will remain ongoing instead of fizzling out? Determine the timeline and team member responsibilities for maintaining each priority.

These documents will provide a tangible resource your team can turn to for guidance as they carry out your strategic plan. Fill out these templates using your organization’s top priorities and tasks associated with each step.

While your strategic plan should be individualized to your nonprofit, it can be helpful to draw inspiration from other organizations to guide your approach. See what’s possible for your nonprofit by exploring this list of the top nonprofit strategic plans.

1. Boys and Girls Club of America

The   Boys and Girls Club of America   is dedicated to creating brighter futures for young people across the country. As a national organization with an ambitious mission, it was essential for the Boys and Girls Club of America to craft a comprehensive strategic plan that unites their Club partners and families around their vision for the future.

In their strategic plan titled “Great Futures 2025,” the Boys and Girls Club outlines four strategic priorities that will help them cultivate young leaders:

• Increase program quality
• Strengthen organizations
• Advocate for youth development
• Reach more youth

To reach these goals, this nonprofit has outlined specific initiatives they’ll lead, such as improving program effectiveness through establishing quality standards, increasing government funding for youth development and building strong partnerships with schools. This level of specificity gives the Boys and Girls Club a clear framework to achieve their goals over the next few years.

2. Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles

The   Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles   seeks to achieve equal justice for impoverished individuals in the greater Los Angeles area. To bring this mission to fruition, the Legal Aid Foundation created a dynamic strategic framework that addresses the specific actions they’ll take over the course of five years.

The Legal Aid Foundation lays out the following seven strategic priorities:

• Legal services
• Staff development
• Financial & fund development

Not only does this organization detail what these priorities are, but they also identify the staff leads, the specific goals and the metrics that will be used to measure success for each priority. Plus, the Legal Aid Foundation explains how each strategic priority connects back to their cause and founding principles, helping to ground their plan in their mission.

3. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio

The   Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio   aims to enrich the lives of sick children and their families through providing housing, resources, educational programs and more. This charity created a strategic plan for 2022-2025 to become a leader in access to healthcare for children.

Their plan is organized around strategic initiatives like building capacity to support the programmatic needs of the community and identifying and implementing opportunities to enhance quality healthcare access. With these guiding priorities in place, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio can effectively rally their team around their goals and put their dreams into action.

4. Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio

Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio   is devoted to eliminating barriers to work and providing opportunities for people to reach their full potential. Guided by their philosophy of the “power of work,” Goodwill needed a strategic plan to help community members live independently, earn a fair living wage and meet their personal goals.

Their 2022-2024 strategic plan begins by outlining their vision and values, including integrity, passion and respect. Next, the plan identifies specific objectives to transform lives in their community, organized into categories like financial sustainability and community. This guide is a great reference point for their staff and ensures everyone is on the same page.

5. Metroparks Toledo

Metroparks Toledo   is a park district that is committed to conserving the region’s resources through the management of natural parks and open spaces. As explained in the introduction of their strategic plan, Metroparks hopes to not only improve outdoor spaces for the enjoyment of the public, but also cultivate high performance and satisfaction among park employees.

In their strategic plan, Metroparks kicks off with an overview of who they are, their mission and vision for the future. Then, they break down the following strategic priorities:

• Maintenance of core services
• Organizational health
• Diversity, equity and inclusion
• Becoming the leader in natural resource conservation
• Engagement in our story
• Strategic community partnerships
• Sustainability of funding

Following the   Aly Sterling Philanthropy strategic planning   model, Metroparks outlines a plan of action for each of these priorities, including key objectives and key performance indicators to measure their progress. This helps Metroparks’ community members and employees understand the actions this organization will take to advance their mission.

6. Alzheimer’s Association

The   Alzheimer’s Association   seeks to end Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia through conducting global research, driving risk reduction and early detection and improving access to quality care. This organization released a 2023-2025 strategic plan to accelerate their mission and change the trajectory of Alzheimer’s for millions of people.

The Alzheimer’s Association builds a strong case for support in their strategic plan by identifying relevant statistics, like the rising costs of Alzheimer’s in the nation which is projected to be more than $1.1 trillion in 2050. After explaining that there’s no time like the present for accelerated progress, they then cover their strategic priorities, including advancing public policy, increasing revenue and boosting awareness.

To establish a clear framework for their projected progress, the Alzheimer’s Association outlines strategic, measurable objectives. For instance, they explain that they’ll accelerate research by providing more funding opportunities, aiming to invest $110 million by the end of 2025. This specificity will provide their entire team with the clarity necessary to complete their responsibilities and contribute to the Alzheimer’s Association’s success.

7. Bryan Area Foundation

The   Bryan Area Foundation   is a community foundation that strives to improve the lives of individuals living in Williams County, Ohio. One of their central projects is providing millions of dollars to worthy community projects and scholarships, and to continue this charitable giving (along with over initiatives), the Bryan Area Foundation needed a strategic plan that outlined how to make this possible.

In their 2021 to 2023 strategic plan, the Bryan Center Foundation identifies a number of new projects for this organization to complete, including a revitalization of downtown Bryan to grow the number and quality of businesses. Since launching this plan, the Bryan Center Foundation has already created a Community Impact Project and Forgivable Loan Program, supporting their commitment to “Building for the future.”

8. DeKalb County Community Foundation

The   DeKalb County Community Foundation’s   mission is to benefit organizations and communities throughout DeKalb County, Illinois. In their strategic plan for 2022-2024, this foundation hopes to create change by addressing the following four key areas: Endowments and Donor Services, Stewardship, Grantmaking and Community Initiatives.

DeKalb County Community Foundation’s goals and objectives are precise, with measurable objectives like realizing a minimum 3% financial donations increase in annual contributions to Community Impact Funds. Specific, measurable goals give this foundation the direction they need to maximize their success and foster accountability across their team.

9. World Wildlife Fund of Colombia

The   World Wildlife Fund (WWF) of Colombia   aims to set Colombia on a path to sustainable, low carbon and resilient development. WWF created a strategic plan for 2020-2025 to address their ambitious goals to make the country a better place for people and wildlife.

The organization’s strategic plan is centered around three main priorities:

• Mainstreaming biodiversity, conservation, and climate change planning into territorial development plans
• Promoting inclusive and equitable social, political and institutional governance
• Advocating for responsible consumption, markets and financial institutions

WWF not only addresses Colombia’s strategies and goals in their strategic plan document, but also global targets to improve people and animals’ lives worldwide. This helps to connect WWF Colombia to the core principles and mission that define WWF as a whole.

10. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass & Metrowest

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass & Metrowest   (BBBSCM) was established to create professionally supported mentoring relationships and build brighter futures for today’s youth. In their strategic plan for 2020-2023, BBBSCM details their mission, vision, values and beliefs, making this a great resource for supporters getting to know their organization as well as for staff and volunteers to reference in their work.

Then, this organization goes over their top four priorities and associated objectives with each, such as increasing sustainable funding by identifying 5-10 new major donor prospects, with the goal of adding 3-5 major donors per year. BBBSCM also identifies their strengths, challenges, threats and opportunities and tailors their strategic plan to these elements.

As a result, BBBSCM demonstrates in their strategic plan document that they’re committed to seeing their mission through and will take the necessary steps to create their vision for the future.

Here are some of our top tips for   keeping your strategic plan alive :

• Fill out the above templates using information from your retreat.   Make sure your plans are formalized in a document that is shared across your organization. As you fill out the template, take a “less is more” approach and only include essential information. Also, make sure you’re setting SMART goals—those that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound.
• Work as a group.   Create a task force to work collaboratively on your strategic plan. Keep the group large enough to be helpful, but not so large as to be a roadblock.
• Present your plan to key stakeholders.   Host regular check-in meetings as a team to measure progress and maintain accountability.
• Keep your plan front and center by posting it in a visible location.   Print and post your strategic plan in a communal space, such as your office or conference room, and ensure it’s also digitally accessible.
• Explain your plan in a public, formal presentation.   When you make your plans known to a wider audience, it increases the expectation that you will see them through. It also engages your community and stakeholders in your organization’s plans.
• Celebrate successes.   Plan celebrations for when you reach key milestones throughout your plan to recognize successes and keep staff and stakeholders informed of your progress. Plus, having a celebration to look forward to can   motivate your team   to complete its goals!

With these tips, you’ll be able to maintain the initial excitement and momentum built during your strategic planning process. This will ensure your plan is doing what it was meant to – furthering your organization’s mission effectively.

The right nonprofit consultant will walk you through every step of the strategic planning process. By tapping into their years of expertise in working with nonprofits like yours, they’ll help you craft a dynamic framework to improve your organization’s financial health, effectiveness, capacity and relevance within your community.

Your consultant will support your strategic planning by:

• Collecting stakeholder insights in the beginning stages of the planning process
• Leading your team through a productive retreat
• Compiling findings into a plan of action and final strategic plan document

In addition to these core services, your consultant can also help you:

• Create a   fundraising strategy   that will lead to stronger supporter relationships and a sustainable donation pipeline
• Examine your existing tech stack and suggest solutions to augment your toolkit
• Identify donor stewardship strategies that will encourage donors to give more frequently and in larger amounts
• Strengthen your internal team, from your staff to your board members, so everyone is firing on all cylinders in pursuit of your mission

Do your research to find the   right consulting firm   that will thoughtfully and objectively consider your nonprofit’s current state and work with you to create a pathway to success.

Wrapping Up

When it comes to making your mission a reality and following through on your promises, don’t just wing it! A nonprofit strategic plan gives you the necessary framework to confidently tackle your goals, unify your team and leave a lasting impact on your community.

While taking an in-house approach to strategic planning is an option, it can be challenging to build a cohesive plan from the inside. Partner with the expert consultants at   Aly Sterling Philanthropy   to get an unbiased look at your organization and receive realistic guidance to construct your strategic plan.

For more information on nonprofit strategic planning, check out the following resources:

• Build Your Fundraising Strategy From the Ground Up . In addition to an overarching strategic plan, your organization can benefit from a blueprint made specifically to guide your fundraising. Use this guide to craft a plan that optimizes your nonprofit’s fundraising efforts.
• The Essential Fundraising Plan Template for Nonprofits . Having a formalized road map to guide your fundraising is critical to keep your organization on task. Use this template to construct your fundraising plan.
• 20+ Nonprofit Consulting Firms for Your Philanthropy Needs . Nonprofits often need guidance in a wide range of different areas. This list of top consultants includes experts who specialize in a variety of topics.

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Strategic Planning for Nonprofits: A Guide to Future Success

Your nonprofit depends upon the combined efforts of its leadership, staff, volunteers, donors, and advocates to generate a meaningful impact in the lives of the people you serve. However, the nonprofit landscape is always shifting—as are your teams, priorities, and resources. How do you ensure that you’re continuing to create the change you set out to create?

Strategic planning for nonprofit organizations is a crucial process for long-term success. By outlining your path forward, you can regain clarity about your work and re-motivate your team about the future.

To create an effective strategic plan for your nonprofit, it’s important to understand the basic steps and when to seek expert guidance during the process. In this guide, we’ll cover all the strategic planning essentials and walk through seven excellent examples of strategic plans:

Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations: The Basics

Strategic planning for success: laridae’s expert process, 5 nonprofit strategic planning models to know, how to prepare for nonprofit strategic planning, strategic planning for nonprofits process: 4 steps, 7 stellar nonprofit strategic planning examples.

According to a  recent nonprofit sector study , 62% of nonprofit professionals reported that managing change was at least somewhat difficult for their organization over the past few years. Whether your nonprofit is looking to find clarity amid significant change, realign on its original purpose, or embark upon a major initiative, developing a clear strategic plan will set you up for success.

While the strategic planning process will differ for each nonprofit depending on its specific goals, needs, and situation, we’ll answer some frequently asked questions to provide your organization with the foundation it needs to benefit from  creating a strategic plan .

What is strategic planning for nonprofits?

For nonprofits, strategic planning refers to the process of creating an actionable roadmap that defines how your organization will achieve its long-term goals over a specified period of time.

Typically, this process involves assessing your nonprofit’s current state, identifying opportunities and challenges, engaging stakeholders, and reflecting on its mission. Your strategic plan will usually outline your steps forward for the next three to five years.

When should nonprofits conduct strategic planning?

Many occasions may lead a nonprofit to undertake strategic planning. Some of the most common reasons why your organization may need to start the process include:

• Reallocating your nonprofit’s resources.  Your nonprofit often has to make the most of limited resources, from funds to staff time. With so many different priorities, it can be challenging to determine whether you’re using your resources productively. Strategic planning can help you reallocate time, funds, and energy to where it matters most.
• Needing to realign your teams.  It can be easy to lose focus on your main priorities and mission in your day-to-day work. By conducting strategic planning, you can prevent mission drift and keep your staff, stakeholders, and community members aligned on your key purpose—while juggling all your nonprofit does to make a difference in its community.
• Picking up where your previous strategic plan ended.  A strategic plan provides the mold that shapes your nonprofit’s future, but only for the next several years or so. At the end of this time period, your leadership and board members will need to regroup and realign on your nonprofit’s goals. This ensures that everyone remains focused on how your organization can most effectively serve its purpose moving forward.
• Adding a new program or strategy.  If you’re planning to launch a new program or dive into a  new fundraising strategy , developing a strategic plan empowers staff members to confidently and collaboratively contribute toward your nonprofit’s success.
• Adapting to current changes your nonprofit is experiencing.  Whether you’re facing staff turnover or larger changes in the nonprofit sector as a whole, crafting a strategic plan helps your organization adapt and continue generating impactful results from its work.

However, there are also less-than-ideal times for launching into the strategic planning process. For instance, if your nonprofit is undergoing a  change in executive leadership , it may be more difficult to produce a well-thought-out plan. Regardless of your organization’s circumstances, partnering with an  experienced nonprofit consultant  can ensure that you make the most of your strategic planning efforts.

Why is nonprofit strategic planning important?

Your nonprofit’s long-term success hinges on its ability to navigate fluctuations in its staff, fundraising results, resources, and more.  The Center for Effective Philanthropy  found that nonprofit leaders consider support in strategic planning and development to be one of the most important areas for addressing the challenges they face.

An effective strategic plan anchors your organization when it encounters rough waters and propels your impact forward when the way is clear. To make the most out of your efforts, however, it’s crucial to take a thoughtful approach and follow strategic planning best practices.

If you don’t have a lot of experience with building a strategic plan, there’s no need to worry! You can always turn to a nonprofit consulting firm that will guide you through the entire process.

At Laridae, we’ve proudly helped over 100 nonprofits in a wide range of sectors craft their strategic plans. Our  strategic planning experts  are driven by impact and equipped with years of experience working with purpose-driven organizations across Canada.

While we tailor our approach to each nonprofit’s specific needs and goals, our time-tested process follows these general steps:

• Planning and Research.  First, we’ll review key documents to gain an in-depth understanding of your nonprofit and hold thoughtful discussions with your leadership and board members. We prioritize securing board buy-in from the get-go so everyone can start the process together on the same page. Then, we’ll conduct research into your environment to gather the necessary context to move forward.
• Stakeholder Engagement.  We specialize in engaging stakeholders through surveys, focus groups, one-on-one interviews, and town halls. Tuning into the thoughts and feedback of your staff, donors, volunteers, and other community members is essential to ensuring that your nonprofit continues to respect their interests and include them in your roadmap into the future.
• Strategic Planning Retreat.  After collecting qualitative data from your stakeholders, we’ll organize a strategic planning retreat that allows all members of your board and senior management to discuss and come to an agreement on your nonprofit’s priorities moving forward. Together, we’ll take a look at critical information such as stakeholder feedback, and conduct a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis to inform your decision-making.
• Strategic Plan Drafting.  Following the retreat, we’ll draft a tailored, actionable strategic plan for your nonprofit and collaborate with you to produce a document that meets all of your expectations.

Throughout our partnership, we’ll employ frameworks such as Design Thinking and Theory of Change to help you  maximize the strategic planning process . Guided by our human-centered approach, we’ll help you lay out all the necessary steps your nonprofit needs to take to generate the impact you desire.

Every nonprofit approaches strategic planning with different reasons and goals. As a result, numerous models have emerged to guide organizations depending on their specific circumstances. These are generalized approaches best used as a reference rather than a detailed blueprint for your strategic planning journey.

Five of the most common strategic planning models for nonprofits are:

• Standard Nonprofit Strategic Plan.  This model outlines the most basic and comprehensive approach to nonprofit strategic planning, which involves analyzing your organization’s current situation, determining its long-term goals, and creating a plan to accomplish those goals. 
• Organic Nonprofit Strategic Plan.  An organic nonprofit strategic planning approach is suited for organizations that prefer a more flexible process. This is useful when you’re faced with uncertain changes both within and outside of your nonprofit, as it involves revisiting your goals on a more frequent basis.
• Issue-Based Strategic Plan.  This model focuses on addressing a single challenge, project, or focus area. Therefore, this approach will produce a strategic plan that is less comprehensive than a standard one. Developing an issue-based strategic plan allows your nonprofit to focus on handling a specific issue or opportunity in a more efficient and unified manner.
• Real-Time Strategic Plan.  Real-time strategic planning involves continuous planning and shorter-term goals to respond effectively to changing circumstances. Nonprofits in an unpredictable or fast-changing environment may consider opting for this approach.
• Alignment Strategic Plan.  The alignment strategic planning model focuses on creating a sense of cohesion across your leadership, teams, and stakeholders. This approach emphasizes collaboration and identifying how all roles within your nonprofit can work together more productively.

Remember, however, that no single model will be the perfect fit for your organization. The key to successful strategic planning for nonprofits is flexibility and adaptability. Therefore, it’s best to consider partnering with an expert consultant who has the experience and skills to adapt the process to your unique needs.

After exploring the basics of strategic planning for nonprofits, you may have decided that your organization needs a new strategic plan, but how do you go about it? Before you hit the ground running, take the time to determine whether your nonprofit is  ready for the strategic planning process .

Gather your leadership team and board members and ask yourselves the following questions:

• Do we have a clear and concise goal for this strategic plan?
• Why are we creating a strategic plan now?
• Is our nonprofit ready for honest, open reflection?
• How much of our time and resources can we commit to this process?
• Who will lead our strategic planning process?
• How will we engage stakeholders?
• How will we measure progress toward our strategic planning goals?
• What tools, skills, or guidance do we need to make the most of this process?

A  BoardSource study  found that, while 78% of nonprofit CEOs reported having a formal strategic plan for their organization, only one-third of executives and half of board chairs indicated that the board had a positive impact on defining strategic priorities.

Holding a board meeting to discuss all of these strategic planning aspects ensures that everyone is committed and prepared to embark on the journey. This  proactive communication  reduces the chances of any disconnect later on.

Consider Hiring a Strategic Planning Consultant

There are a lot of factors to consider when preparing for a fruitful strategic planning process, and not all of them are easy to address. For instance, you may find that your nonprofit has limited time or experience to invest in planning. Or, perhaps you’d like to breathe new life into your organization’s processes and thinking.

A nonprofit consultant can boost your strategic planning results by:

• Crafting a tailored strategic planning approach.  Nonprofit strategic planning consultants have the expertise to go beyond basic models and frameworks to create a process that directly responds to your organization’s specific needs and priorities. They’ll know where your nonprofit can best focus its time and resources to get the most out of its strategic planning.
• Bringing a fresh perspective to your organization.  A consultant brings an objective, professional perspective to your strategic planning journey. They’re willing to facilitate tough conversations, ask incisive questions, and promote critical thinking that allows your nonprofit to advance beyond its traditional thought processes.
• Engaging stakeholders as a neutral third party.  Before you can include stakeholders’ input in your strategic plan, you first need to collect their feedback. As a neutral third party, a nonprofit strategic planning consultant can conduct engagement activities that encourage brave, authentic conversations and glean the insights you need to guide your planning.
• Leveraging the latest strategic planning best practices.  Nonprofit consultants have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to tips and pitfalls to watch out for during the strategic planning process. They’ll provide innovative strategies and use recent trends to enhance your results.

There are two main types of roles a strategic planning consultant can fill. They can either lead the entire strategic planning process for your nonprofit, which includes drafting your plan for you, or they can coach your leadership team as it leads your organization through its strategic planning journey. Use the answers you’ve gathered from the questions in the previous section to determine how much support your nonprofit will need.

If your nonprofit is looking to develop the internal expertise to conduct strategic plans on its own, consider looking into self-directed programs guided by expert consultants.

Laridae’s Strategy Academy , for example, helps ensure that you produce an impactful strategic plan for your organization while coaching you through every step of the process. Plus, our program’s online, cohort-based format provides additional opportunities for your team to build community and learn from other peers in the sector.

Whether you’re working with an expert consultant or tackling the strategic planning process alone, we’ll walk through four essential steps that will pave the way to an effective strategic plan.

1. Examine your organization and environment.

First, to provide a foundation for your planning, take a look at your nonprofit’s current state and performance. Then, consider any trends or challenges in your sector as a whole.

Some basic factors to examine include:

• Recent financial details, including revenue and expenses.
• Past key performance indicators.
• Latest trends, changes, and challenges in the sector.
• Programs and strategies launched by similar organizations.

This general overview of your nonprofit should provide the necessary context for determining your priorities and goals moving forward.

2. Engage your stakeholders.

Stakeholder engagement provides an ideal opportunity for you to collect qualitative information about your stakeholders’ experiences, concerns, and connections to your nonprofit. By focusing on active listening, you’ll assure donors, volunteers,  staff , beneficiaries, and other members of your community that you value their input.

There are several ways you can engage your stakeholders, including:

• Online surveys
• Focus groups
• Town hall meetings
• One-on-one interviews

Different stakeholders will likely have different preferences when it comes to engagement, so use your existing data on each group to identify which activities will resonate with them most. In general, hiring a third party to conduct your engagement can create opportunities for more open and honest communication.

After gathering feedback, consolidate all the information into several important takeaways to consider as you develop your nonprofit strategic plan.

3. Conduct a strategic planning retreat.

Holding a dedicated strategic planning retreat allows all of your board and senior management members to come together and have in-depth discussions on your nonprofit overview, stakeholder engagement results, and priorities for the future. During this retreat, participants will have the chance to share their thoughts and ask any important questions they may still have.

Additionally, it can be helpful for everyone to conduct a SWOT analysis that sorts all the information you’ve accumulated into your nonprofit’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This allows you to begin piecing together your priorities into actionable steps that you can take over the next few years.

4. Review your mission, vision, and values.

While many strategic planning processes involve examining your nonprofit’s mission, vision, and values at the beginning, this is often premature. In fact, doing so may limit your thinking and approach as you learn more about your organization and stakeholders’ opinions.

By reviewing your mission, vision, and values at the end of your strategic planning journey, you’ll ensure that your team has already developed a clearer understanding of your  nonprofit’s brand , purpose, and priorities. This allows them to make more informed adjustments as necessary.

Strategic planning for your nonprofit may seem like a complex undertaking, but it’s perfectly feasible with the right approach and guidance. Take a look at these seven excellent nonprofit strategic plans to get inspired.

1. Streams Community Hub

As a nonprofit based in Shelburne, Ontario,  Streams Community Hub  is dedicated to educating and empowering youth through various art programs. Upon reaching its fourth year in operation, Streams decided that it was time to produce its first-ever strategic plan. After experiencing promising growth in reputation and size over the past few years, Streams’ board wanted to pave a path toward greater impact moving forward.

Streams partnered with Laridae to engage 230 various stakeholders, from artists to partner organizations, and develop a strategic plan for the next five years. This plan, directly responding to stakeholders’ input, outlines four directions that encapsulate Streams’ priorities for the coming years, ensuring that the organization remains focused on the community it serves.

2. Habitat for Humanity Northumberland

When it was time to renew their outdated strategic plan, the governance committee at  Habitat for Humanity Northumberland (HFHN)  reached out to Laridae for support throughout the process. Since the nonprofit had previous experience with Laridae’s governance training and Management Training Program, they were confident in our expertise and guidance.

For HFHN, the process began with information-gathering, examining factors such as the average cost to purchase a home and Northumberland County’s population growth. Then, after in-depth stakeholder engagement, HFHN’s team was able to clarify the nonprofit’s key values: People, Partnership, and Adaptability. At the end of their strategic planning process, they had a draft that took only three weeks to reach final board approval.

3. Ontario Association of Social Workers

The  Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW)  is a nonprofit organization that focuses on promoting the interests of social workers across Ontario. Following the pandemic, OASW wanted to craft a five-year strategic plan to adapt to recent changes in the community and new leadership within the association. To do so, the organization partnered with Laridae for guidance.

After a thorough planning process, which involved engaging 625 stakeholders, OASW emerged with a strategic plan that both reaffirmed its mission, vision, and values and laid out four strategic directions forward. For each direction, OASW specified exactly how it planned to accomplish its goals.

4. Surrey Place

As a nonprofit organization that serves people with developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, and visual impairments,  Surrey Place  needed to create a strategic plan that responded to changes in service delivery and set the foundation for long-term success. As another one of Laridae’s clients, the nonprofit was able to develop its strategy for the next three years.

The plan includes Surrey Place’s main commitments moving forward, accompanied by powerful images representing the organization’s impact, as well as three main strategic directions to guide its efforts.

5. Temiskaming Hospital

Temiskaming Hospital  is a nonprofit hospital driven to improve the health and well-being of people in northern rural Ontario. To prepare its strategic plan for the next five years, Temiskaming Hospital reached out to Laridae’s experts to guide its board through the process.

After conducting qualitative research through stakeholder engagement, combined with in-depth discussions with leadership members, the organization was able to develop a plan that encapsulates its mission, vision, and values and defines four strategic directions to prioritize in the next few years. Additionally, it includes a dedicated page sharing stakeholder engagement activities that took place, thanking participants for their involvement.

6. Hospice Quinte

As a nonprofit,  Hospice Quinte  provides support to people who are terminally ill, along with their families. To produce a comprehensive three-year strategic plan, the organization partnered with Laridae to guide its board of directors through the entire process. Together, we examined Hospice Quinte’s current situation, opportunities, and goals to formulate five strategic directions to focus on.

The process included conducting online surveys, focus groups, and interviews to collect stakeholder feedback on areas to focus on, which are all included in the strategic plan. At the end of the plan, Hospice Quinte outlined clear, tangible steps it will focus on moving forward.

7. Brock Community Health Centre

Brock Community Health Centre (CHC)  is one of many nonprofits that provide primary care and health services for people living in their community. Brock CHC is another one of Laridae’s clients in the healthcare sector that needed to develop a new strategic plan following changes in the landscape following the pandemic.

The nonprofit created two versions of its strategic plan for its leadership, staff, and community members to reference. One is an infographic summary, highlighting its four strategic directions for the next three years, while the other is the full plan, going into more detail about the planning process and goals.

Embarking on Your Nonprofit Strategic Planning Journey

Ultimately, strategic planning provides an opportunity for your nonprofit to reflect on its past impact, reinspire everyone involved in its mission, and lay the groundwork for meaningful growth and long-term success.

At Laridae, we have over a decade of experience supporting nonprofits on their strategic planning journeys. Our commitment to working with purpose-driven organizations means that we’re able to approach every partnership with an in-depth understanding of your goals, values, and mission. If you’re still feeling overwhelmed or would like to learn more about how our expert nonprofit consultants can  boost your strategic planning efforts , please feel free to reach out!

For a deeper dive into strategic planning for nonprofit organizations, check out our additional resources:

• Developing a Strategic Plan During a Leadership Transition .  Is your nonprofit experiencing a shift in its leadership? Explore how you can approach strategic planning under these circumstances.
• How to Create a Strategic Plan That Inspires Hope .  While strategic planning involves some tough questions and considerations, at its core, the process is all about preparing for a hopeful future. Keep these tips in mind as you craft your next strategic plan.
• How to Get the Most out of your Strategic Planning Process .  In this guide, we’ll discuss four strategic planning steps in more detail and walk through questions to consider along the way.
• Three Ways To Avoid Strategic Planning Missteps .  Set your nonprofit’s strategic planning up for success by learning how to avoid common missteps during the process.

Supporting Your Nonprofit Strategic Planning Efforts

Strategy  for the social sector

Wellspring consulting helps leaders of mission-driven organizations address strategic challenges and achieve results.

When social sector leaders face critical decisions and are looking for a partner in strategic planning, they seek sound data, a thoughtful process, fresh ideas, and wise counsel. Wellspring Consulting has worked with hundreds of nonprofit leaders to develop deeply thought-out, actionable strategic plans that are backed by thorough research and analysis and that address the most critical issues facing the organization.

Founded in 2002 by seasoned consultants from The Boston Consulting Group, Wellspring offers the analytical strength of for-profit business consulting, delivered by fellow travelers who share your commitment to creating social good. Like the leading business consulting firms, we attract staff with top-flight credentials.  Like our clients, we run lean so as to be affordable for a wide range of nonprofits. We focus on cornerstone problems and pursue smart, inspired solutions so our clients can get extraordinary results.

Some of our clients

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See more of our clients here

See case studies here

Diversity, equity, and inclusion

As advisors to social impact organizations, Wellspring Consulting constantly grapples with the effects of discrimination, inequity, and exclusion, particularly as they relate to race and socioeconomic status.

We are deeply motivated by a vision of a just society, where all individuals can thrive.

In our work, this translates into:

Ongoing inquiry to better understand the sources of systemic inequity and effective remedies   

Thoughtful practice that applies an equity lens to analysis, elucidates equity issues, and seeks proactive solutions

Humility in the face of these complex challenges and a willingness to confront our own biases and complicity

Continual striving within Wellspring to recruit a talented, diverse team and ensure each member is able to bring their full selves to the work we do together

Read more about:  our work  or  careers with us

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Nonprofit Strategic Planning: Your Complete Guide

by Funding For Good | Jan 23, 2023 | Strategic Planning

Every nonprofit could benefit from a strategic plan. Funders are increasingly asking to see organizations’ strategic plans. Talented staff and potential hires are increasingly eager to work with organizations that have clear and compelling visions. And, as leaders, we’re all looking to increase our organization’s impact.

A nonprofit strategic plan can provide all these benefits and more. In this article, we’ll cover the basics of strategic planning, how nonprofit strategic planning differs from the private sector, and how to make sure your organization’s planning process is successful.

• What is a nonprofit strategic plan?
• Does my nonprofit need a strategic plan?
• The nonprofit strategic planning process: what to expect

What is a Nonprofit Strategic Plan?

A nonprofit strategic plan is a written roadmap for where an organization is going, how it will get there, and specific ways to determine if the organization has “arrived” at the destination. A strategic plan is the result of a process designed to create a shared vision and strategic alignment across organizational stakeholders.

This last part is especially critical for nonprofit organizations. Strategic planning isn’t solely about the written plan. It’s about building consensus across your board, staff, and other stakeholders, so that your team is focused, driven and ready to increase impact.

The process of strategic planning is designed to create shared vision and strategic alignment across organizational stakeholders.

A written plan can be put on a shelf and forgotten. But it’s nearly impossible to set aside a shared vision for the future when your board and staff are deeply invested.

Is your nonprofit ready for strategic planning?

How is nonprofit strategic planning different from the private sector?

Though we don’t often think of nonprofits as businesses, they actually are. Nonprofit is a tax status, not a business model .

Even if there’s no profit involved, nonprofit leaders still need to understand how to run a business . This includes balancing income and expenses, managing risk, securing appropriate insurance, bookkeeping and financial controls, ensuring adequate human resources support, managing staff, deciding where to invest and where to pull back, and more.

But nonprofits are also different from for-profit businesses in a few ways that affect the strategic planning process:

Nonprofit vision and mission

Nonprofit organizations exist to carry out a vision and mission to make a specific impact externally in the world. While organizations need to make sure they can afford costs, there is no profit motive and no shareholders to satisfy. Which is why vision and mission should drive every aspect of nonprofit strategic planning.

Read more: What Happens When Nonprofit Business Plans Stray from an Organization’s Mission?

Nonprofit staff motivation and expectations

People generally work in nonprofit organizations because they want to contribute to change. Nonprofit staffers may even trade higher salaries in the private sector. This can mean that staff bring different expectations to working in nonprofit organizations. Staff want to be engaged in decision-making. They want to consistently feel like their work is contributing to a greater good. They want to feel supported in their career growth. All of which means that nonprofit leaders will need to think very intentionally about how staff are engaged in and connected to a strategic planning process.

Read more: Engaging Staff in Strategic Planning

Nonprofit fundraising

Fundraising is one of the most essential functions in any organization. Unlike for-profit businesses, nonprofits generally raise the bulk of their income not from selling products or services, but from individual and institutional donors. This can include grants, major gifts, small dollar donations, endowed gifts, and more. In return for their contribution, donors expect to see an organization make an impact in the world. Which is why strategic planning can be especially helpful for nonprofits, as it spells out an inspiring, impact-driven, long-term vision.

Read more: 5 Ways to Boost Fundraising with a Strategic Plan

Role of the nonprofit board

The majority of nonprofit boards are non-paying positions. Yet nonprofit boards are responsible for over an incredible amount of oversight. This means that, like staff, board members will be attracted by vision and mission. Unlike for-profit boards, which are thinking about shareholders, a nonprofit board is primarily focused on ensuring an organization is able to fulfill its vision and mission. Nonprofit board members should thus be deeply involved in strategic planning.

Read more: What is Nonprofit Governance and Why Does it Matter?

Does My Nonprofit Need a Strategic Plan?

Studies consistently show that organizations with a written plan double their likelihood of success. Yet according to research, only half of nonprofits have a strategic plan . Among those organizations that do have strategic plans, too few actually put them to use.

Investing in a strategic planning process is one of the most important things you can do to boost your organization’s impact and chance of success.

Whether your nonprofit is new or established, growing or struggling, a strategic plan can position your organization to thrive.

Are you ready to build a sustainable, impactful organization?

Why is strategic planning important for nonprofits?

Running a nonprofit organization is not easy. Many nonprofits operate on lean budgets. Leaders wear multiple hats. Staff are often overwhelmed, filling multiple roles in order to meet program deliverables (and secure that next grant). Board members are volunteers, often with their own careers to manage.

Adding strategic planning to the mix can feel overwhelming. Which is why many nonprofit leaders wonder: Is strategic planning worth doing?

Strategic planning does require both financial resources and time from staff and board leadership. But research and first-hand experience working with dozens of nonprofits shows that there are incredible benefits to nonprofit strategic planning.

• Save time by getting aligned: The strategic planning process brings together board and staff leadership to co-create a vision for your organization’s future. This includes strategic direction, programmatic and financial priorities, and measures for success. Because the process itself is based on consensus building, it creates valuable buy-in—which will ultimately save time and reduce friction.
• Save money with smarter spending: Your strategic plan will make clear where you need to invest to achieve your 3-5-year goals. This saves you from spending precious resources in non-core areas. And because your plan includes measures of success, you’ll be better able to assess when spending is paying off, and when it isn’t, enabling you to quickly course correct.
• Get your team invested: Did you know that 95% of employees don’t understand their company’s strategy ? At the same time, one of the top things workers find demotivating is “ a lack of meaning in their work .” A strategic planning process that engages employees and creates buy-in can transform how staff members feel about their day-to-day work. A strategic plan that employees feel invested in can re-energize your team, break down silos, and increase productivity.
• Boost your impact: A strong strategic plan leaves no doubt about what your organization is trying to accomplish. Combining ambitious goals with actionable strategies, your plan will be designed to increase your success. For nonprofits, this means increasing both impact and sustainability. By providing clear benchmarks, your plan will also help you better evaluate your progress toward goals—catching challenges before they become costly missteps.
• Raise more money: Donors want to invest in organizations with a strong vision, a commitment to sustainability, and a focus on creating and measuring impact. Which is exactly what a strategic plan provides. In addition to directly sharing your strategic plan with major contributors, your fundraising staff can repurpose it into language for grant proposals and supporter emails. Quarterly strategic plan progress reports for the board can be quickly transformed into compelling impact reports for donors. A strategic plan is one of the most valuable gifts you can give your development team.
• Kickstart strategic decision-making: A strategic plan is more than simply a document. It’s a tool that should guide nonprofit board and staff leaders in making strategic decisions. Whether it’s which programs to expand or which to cut, a strategic plan spells out a set of shared values and priorities. So instead of debating major decisions from scratch each time, your team can align more quickly by asking: Which choice will best advance our organization’s stated goals and values?

While it’s easy to think of a nonprofit strategic plan in terms of how much it will cost, strategic planning isn’t simply a line item in a budget. It’s an investment in your organization’s future.

The real question nonprofit leaders should be asking is: Can my organization afford to keep operating WITHOUT a strategic plan?

How is strategic planning different from other planning?

Nonprofit leaders often feel like they’re swimming in plans. At any given moment, we’re either creating, editing or approving annual plans, department plans, and project plans. We hone our mission statements. We work with development or marketing staff to refine proposals and brochures. And that doesn’t even include the individual development plans we craft with our direct reports.

But despite all this planning, leaders and staff can still end up feeling rudderless. That’s a sure sign that you’re spending time on the wrong plans or creating your plans in the wrong order.

Start with a strategic plan

A nonprofit strategic plan is a roadmap for where you’re going—and the types of plans you need to create to get there. Your strategic plan does four important things that other plans are simply not designed to do:

• Provide a 3-5-year vision for your nonprofit, including goals, objectives and benchmarks to evaluate success.
• Articulate an overarching strategy for the organization as a whole. Each program, project and department within your organization needs to be contributing to the organization’s overall goals.
• Align stakeholders on a shared vision for success. This includes your board of directors and staff leadership from every single department.
• Guide decision-making at all levels of the organization.

Once you have a strategic plan in place, then annual plans, project plans, proposals and more will all flow from that overarching vision.

Annual plan vs strategic plan

Ideally, your annual plans will flow from your strategic plan. A strategic plan covers a 3-5-year period, with a focus on a clear vision and roadmap to get there. In contrast, annual planning is about the nuts and bolts of how you’ll be implementing your strategic plan in a given year, including who is responsible for specific deliverables.

Your annual plans will also go into more depth about the ongoing activities that keep the organization operating, but aren’t necessarily detailed in your strategic plan. Consider bringing the same curious and creative approach you used in the strategic planning process to assess these ongoing functions. Is there a way to handle basics like budgeting and bill payment more effectively and efficiently?

Read more: What is an Annual Plan vs a Strategic Plan?

Project plan vs strategic plan

Where a strategic plan covers vision and strategy for an organization overall, a project plan focuses on goals, objectives, activities, and outcomes for an individual project. The scope of project plans varies significantly. A single project plan could cover anywhere from two weeks to two years, and involve one person or dozens. The key to a successful project plan is making sure that everyone involved in the project understands their individual roles, deliverables, and deadlines.

Once you’ve created your strategic plan, you’ll likely need many project plans as you start implementation. For example, as part of a goal to increase small dollar donations, you’ll need a project plan for your year-end appeal, as well as ongoing donor communications. If you’re organizing events, you’ll certainly need project plans for those. And if you’re executing on organizational changes that will affect staff, such as shifting to a four-day workweek, a project plan will be critical.

Read more: What is a Project Plan vs a Strategic Plan?

Prospectus vs strategic plan

A prospectus is a printed booklet or brochure that serves as a promotional piece. In the nonprofit sector we tend to think of this as a marketing piece. We might call them “one-pagers,” “collateral,” or the “leave behinds” for a donor meeting.

Regardless of the name, a prospectus is the abridged, polished, and outward-facing version of your strategic plan. It’s the kind of language you use on the “about us” or “what we do” pages of your websites.

Ideally, once you have a new strategic plan, you’ll start updating all of these various materials to reflect your organization’s updated vision, direction, and impact goals. Just keep in mind that, where your strategic plan might delve explicitly into internal organizational changes , a prospectus or similar materials will focus on external impact .

The Nonprofit Strategic Planning Process

What are the steps in nonprofit strategic planning.

Many nonprofits choose to work with a consultant for their strategic planning. This enables board and staff leadership to focus on strategy, rather than running a planning process. It’s also especially helpful to have a skilled consultant who can advise on how to best engage staff members. As a neutral third party, consultants can garner unexpected insights from staff and other stakeholders through surveys, one-on-one interviews, and focus groups.

When working with a consultant, your strategic planning process should include at least three steps:

• Step One: Preparation. This is the getting started phase. Your consultant will create a work plan and timeline, set roles and expectations, gather and analyze stakeholder input, conduct an organizational assessment to identify internal and external challenges and opportunities, and ensure that the organization’s vision and mission are clear.
• Step Two: Strategic planning sessions or retreat. This is where the real consensus-building work happens. Your strategic planning consultant will facilitate one or more intensive strategy sessions with your board and staff leadership, and any other stakeholders you’ve agreed to include. Make sure your team is focused and ready to actively participate.
• Step Three: Strategic plan creation. The final stage is where your vision comes together on the page. You’ll work closely with your consultant as they prepare and finalize your written strategic plan. You’ll also want to be proactive about building internal awareness, alignment, and buy-in across your organization. Your consultant can help you develop and implement a thoughtful roll out strategy .

What is unique about the nonprofit strategic planning process?

While nonprofit and for-profit strategic planning may follow a similar process, nonprofits will want to carefully consider a few additional areas:

• Stakeholder engagement: Nonprofit board and staff at every level are part of your organization not because of money, but because of mission. That often brings much higher expectations of participation in decision-making processes. Nonprofit leaders launching strategic planning processes should work closely with their consultants to make sure staff are engaged at the appropriate level to create authentic buy-in.
• Sustainability: Where businesses will be thinking more about increasing revenue and decreasing costs, nonprofit financial planning should focus on sustainability. When it comes to attracting the best staff and raising consistent money, a strong and sustainable nonprofit is like a magnet. This is very different from the private sector where short-term wins that boost shareholder profits are rewarded.
• Fundraising strategy: Fundraising is pretty unique to the nonprofit sector, and it will generally be an important element of your strategic plan. The closest for-profit parallel might be entrepreneurs pitching investors or applying for loans. But unlike business entrepreneurs, nonprofit fundraising never ends. Grants are for one year terms. Some aren’t renewable. Donors have to be asked to give every single year, sometimes multiple times before you land that gift. Fundraising is high-stakes, deadline-driven, and unrelenting. Every single employee’s salary depends on your fundraising team to do their job. So creating a strong and diversified fundraising plan is a must-do.

Is strategic planning long, expensive, and difficult?

No! An effective nonprofit strategic planning process doesn’t have to be painful and drawn out. Though many of us in the sector have experienced the dreaded “never-ending planning process.” You can prevent that scenario from playing out in your organization by selecting the right consultant. Focus on finding consultants who understand your sector, are familiar with organizations of your size or growth stage, and are skilled facilitators.

Because a strategic plan is only as strong as the consensus-building process that creates it.

How do I find a nonprofit strategic planning consultant?

Many strategic planning consultants work with both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. We recommend being sure that your consultant has at least some experience working with organizations like yours.

Read more: Complete Guide to Strategic Planning Consultants

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