Effective strategic planning for nonprofits helps ensure that a nonprofit’s goals and vision are achieved. A solid strategy for a nonprofit outlines measurable goals and the path to reach them. It is a tool that should be reviewed on a regular basis as circumstances are likely to change.
A strategic plan should start by examining the mission, values and vision. This will help bond the team and validate that they are the primary drivers behind the process. It’s also a great opportunity to identify any changes that might be needed.
A lot of nonprofits then decide to go on to SWOT analysis. It is a review of the organization’s opportunities and threats and its strengths and weaknesses. SWOT analyses are an excellent tool to aid in understanding the current external and internal environments of your company. They can be used to help develop strategies for your nonprofit.
Another common element of an effective strategic plan is a fundraising or development strategic plan. This plan will outline how the organization can expand its philanthropic efforts. It could include goals for things like increasing email outreach, upgrading the site’s functionality, enhancing fundraising techniques and building stronger relationships with donors.
After the goals of the strategic plan are set it’s a good idea to meet with the team again and discuss the next steps. This will help cement everyone’s common goal of seeing the strategic plan come to fruition. Additionally, it can be a good time to discuss www.dataroomdev.org/developing-an-effective-nonprofit-strategic-plan-aligning-mission-vision-and-goals ways to communicate the strategy with stakeholders who weren’t part of the initial planning team.