Developing a strategic plan that supports effective programming and responds to evolving community needs requires listening and engagement with staff, board, clients, funders, partners, and others invested in your nonprofit’s success. Who is involved in the process varies across organizations, and how different individuals and groups are involved can range from informal feedback to formal decision-making. Successfully navigating the process and producing an actionable strategic plan is a shared responsibility across staff, board, and/or volunteers that may be enhanced by participation of clients and community members.
Depending on your nonprofit’s culture, values, and strategic planning process goals, your process may be more staff-driven or board-driven. Ideally, the executive director (or similar position), staff (or key volunteers), and board are engaged throughout planning activities along with intentional opportunities for community input. Based on your organizational structure and decision-making procedures, your nonprofit’s board may be responsible for formally approving or adopting the strategic plan.
Information on building a strategic planning team is available in Chapter 1. Prepare, and Chapter 2. Listen has information to support your listening, engagement, and input gathering work.