A “strategy” is a plan, method, or series of actions for obtaining a specific goal or result. Your organization makes strategic decisions every day and every year. In nonprofits, discovering the right strategic alignment of goals, people, funds, resources, and partnerships can unlock an organization’s path to success. Thinking about your organization, are you working from a place of shared values towards the same strategic priorities? Have you written down your plan and communicated with people who care about your nonprofit’s purpose and mission?
Strategic planning is a cyclical and disciplined process that moves organizations from a place of assorted perspectives, ideas, and possibilities to a space of clear aligned direction. Throughout the process, you have the opportunity to:
- Ask questions that address pressing challenges and opportunities.
- Gather current data about your nonprofit.
- Test assumptions and make space for new ideas.
- Anticipate and prepare for future changes in the environment in which your nonprofit works.
- Make decisions and choices about what is most important for the success of your organization.
Having a clear strategic direction and aligned organizational values is critical to advancing your mission. You will discover that taking the time to reflect and have meaningful conversations about your strategic direction is a powerful experience with many benefits. Strategic planning can:
- Engage new leaders.
- Unify those who have an interest in your nonprofit.
- Deepen relationships with community partners and those served by your organization.
- Provide opportunities to improve programming and communications and raise additional resources.
- Create space for important conversations that may not otherwise happen through your day-to-day work.