What is Strategic Planning in Nonprofit Organizations?

Strategic planning is a process for preparing a guiding plan that helps your organization achieve its goals related to its mission over a specific period. This process involves reviewing your core mission to identify the top three to five strategic goals for the coming years, and then selecting suitable strategies to achieve them.

A good strategic plan ensures that you have charted the necessary paths to reach your organization’s goals — and even exceed them if possible.

How often should a nonprofit organization have a strategic plan?

It is best for board members and executive leadership to meet every three to five years to reorient goals and embark on a new cycle of strategic planning. This plan serves as a living roadmap shaped by everyone’s ideas.

What are the main misconceptions about strategic planning in nonprofit organizations?

Some misconceptions often arise among workers in the sector during planning, including:

1. "We should focus on saving or raising money, not spending it":

This statement may seem traditional, but it is true: "You must spend money to make money." During the planning process, it is important to identify areas where money can be wisely spent to improve fundraising returns. When you make strategic purchasing decisions, you pave the way for more effective fundraising than ever before.

2. "Our organization should not take risks":

Your organization should not be afraid of experimentation. Calculated risks foster innovation and contribute to achieving the mission more efficiently.

3. "The board should lead fundraising efforts":

It is best not to place the burden on the board to set strategic directions. Its oversight role involves monitoring the strategy rather than setting priorities themselves.

How do you start the strategic planning process in your organization?

The starting point is discussing measurable goals that the team should achieve, then outlining priorities for each goal. It is helpful to begin with a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats), which helps you identify goals and choose the best planning model for your organization’s reality.

Source: Bloomerang.