Introduction to Strategic Planning in Nonprofits
As you think about beginning a strategic planning process, you may have feelings that range from uneasiness to excitement. You may think strategic planning will be an overwhelming or intimidating process for your nonprofit to complete. Your feelings and reactions are likely based on past experiences or stories you heard about other organizations’ processes. However, there is another way. When done well, strategic planning is a powerful process to guide the future of your nonprofit.
There are many ways to approach strategic planning and there is no one-size-fits-all template. Pulling from a variety of strategic planning approaches and resources, this Strategic Planning in Nonprofits (SPiN) course is here to provide actionable information, tools, and activities to help you shape a process right-sized for your nonprofit.
Organized into six chapters, SPiN covers the following stages of a strategic planning process:
- Prepare
- Listen
- Envision
- Plan
- Implement
- Evaluate
The chapters will address these basic questions about each stage:
- What is it and why is it important?
- What do I need to know about it?
The course is based on the information in the Strategic Planning in Nonprofits Guide, and incorporates activities from the Strategic Planning in Nonprofits Workbook.
Important Note
This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or technical advice. If you are unsure about anything covered in this guide, we suggest that you contact the appropriate agency or seek professional advice.