In any industry, the organizations and businesses that last are those that have taken the time to get crystal clear on their goals to map out a plan for future achievement. Their work has focus, direction, and purpose.
This discrepancy can be clearly seen in the nonprofit industry.
Every day, passionate individuals with a worthy cause decide to launch nonprofit organizations. However, every day there are also nonprofit organizations that have to “close up shop” because they don’t have the resources needed to continue working.
Why?
Is the work of these nonprofits that “don’t make it” less relevant? Less important?
Of course not.
What truly distinguishes the success and sustainability of some nonprofits from the rest is not the passion of the leaders or the worthiness of the cause. It typically boils down to strategic planning.
In other words, success doesn’t just happen…you have to plan for it.
A strategic plan is like a “blueprint” or “roadmap” for an organization. It outlines what your organization hopes to achieve and how you are going to get there.
A good strategic plan has a few essential components:
- Values-based mission, vision, culture
- Clearly articulated goals, and benchmarks
- Required resources (money, personnel, materials, etc.)
- Realistic timeframes
- Key metrics for impact (how you plan to track your progress)
Now, I know what you may be thinking…
“We know this already…we’ve had a strategic plan in place for a while.”
First of all, good for you for taking the first important step by creating your strategic plan. That puts you ahead of many other organizations that are “talking about” a plan.
However, it’s not enough to simply have a strategic plan. It needs to be USED throughout the organization. It needs to be considered a living document that is revisited, reviewed, and (possibly) redesigned on a fairly consistent basis.
How often?
That depends on your organization and what your objectives are.
In times of change, the frequency may increase to quarterly, monthly, or even more often (e.g., whenever external circumstances significantly change your organization’s work).
Here’s why…
Despite our best efforts to anticipate future needs and circumstances, things will change. Sometimes there are curve balls you couldn’t anticipate that require you to adapt your strategic plan’s priorities, strategies, and tactics.
Whether it be a change in your funding, a new opportunity that comes your way, or, I don’t know…a global pandemic that alters everything about your work, it’s important to be flexible and willing to makes changes to your strategic planning as needed.
Interested in learning more about strategic planning for nonprofits? Do we have some GOOD NEWS for you!
Sarah Boxx Coaching & Consulting is opening access to the Intentional Nonprofit Leaders Membership Community.
This is a closed membership community, co-created (with members) to provide guidance, resources, and expertise so leaders can reclaim time, lead strategically, and have sustainable mission impact.
If you want to know more, add your name to the waitlist now.
We’ll send you information and then an invitation to join when we open the doors on May 20th.
We’re excited because we know the power of this community. We’re committed to helping you make progress, reduce your stress, increase clarity, and find the support of other amazing leaders and experts.
Article was contributed by: Maria Lees, Team Writer with Sarah Boxx
