Many nonprofits get by without a strategic plan for years, sometimes even decades. But “getting by” isn’t most leaders’ goal.
We all want to lead thriving, sustainable, and high-performing organizations. A strategic plan can help you get there.
After guiding nonprofits across the country through successful strategic planning processes, we’ve identified five key signs that your organization needs a fresh strategic plan.
1) You are struggling to hit revenue and fundraising goals.
When nonprofits struggle to hit revenue or fundraising goals, it means something isn’t connecting with clients and/or donors. It could be mismatched needs, services, vision, or even marketing or messaging.
Strategic planning is designed to get to the root of the problem and help you chart a better path forward. The result often makes fundraising easier and more successful.
2) Your staff members are confused about your organization’s direction.
Organizations thrive when staff work as cohesive and aligned teams. But when people are confused about what they’re collectively trying to accomplish and how, it can lead to disengagement, disagreements, and time-consuming in-fighting.
Pay attention to nonprofit staff members saying things like: “But what are we working toward?” or “I’m just not sure how this will help us achieve our goals.”
These types of comments and confusion are a sure sign it’s time for a nonprofit strategic planning process that’s thoughtfully designed to bring stakeholders together.
3) Your current strategies are not delivering measurable results.
We all know nonprofit fundraising is essential—and nonprofits spend a lot of time and resources planning and tracking financial goals (like raising the budget). But what about non-financial goals?
- Are your programs having the desired impact?
- Are you serving the intended number of community members or clients?
- Are you increasing awareness of your issue or services?
- Are you retaining your best staff or are team members looking elsewhere?
- Are your board members engaged and productive, or are they struggling to make a contribution?
If you aren’t hitting your nonprofit’s non-financial goals—or you don’t even have metrics for these goals—it’s time for a strategic plan.
By taking a comprehensive, big-picture view, strategic planning helps you identify what is and is not working, and how to make it better.
4) Your board and staff are at odds.
When staff or board members don’t share a clear vision, chaos often erupts.
Staff members think the organization is going in one direction and the board thinks it’s going in another. Instead of getting aligned, everyone picks a side and defends their own viewpoint. Every meeting becomes a battle.
One outcome of strategic planning is a centralized document that outlines your vision for the next 3-5 years. But an effective strategic planning process also brings together stakeholders across your organization to co-create this vision. That means everyone is bought in and on the same page.
5) Your current strategic plan is out of date.
We recommend organizations review their strategic plan at least quarterly to be sure it still reflects their current plans and organizational realities. For example, if you’re facing regular budget shortfalls and your strategic plan calls for growth, it won’t be that useful in guiding your decision-making.
If your strategic plan is out of date—or was created more than 3-5 years ago—then it is time for a refresh.
What to do when it’s time for a new strategic plan
If you’re seeing signs that your nonprofit needs a new strategic plan, then you’re in the right place. Funding for Good offers strategic planning services for nonprofits and government organizations.
Our approach is evidence-based and designed to build the kind of durable and meaningful internal consensus that is key to successful implementation.
We also offer free consultations to help you decide if our approach is the right fit for your needs.
