It’s easy to think that distraction is simply a fact of modern life. Between emails, messaging apps, social media, 24-hour news, colleagues who stop by our desks, and all those cute cat videos, how is anyone supposed to stay focused? All these interruptions and...
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What is a Strategic Vision and How Do You Create One?
In the wake of turmoil in the banking sector, Chief Executive Magazine declared that CEOs need to “see beyond the immediate wreckage” and “exercise strategic vision.” But it’s not only the financial sector experiencing economic...
What Does it Take to Build a Nimble Organization?
The pace of change today only seems to be accelerating. Whether it’s new technology, like AI-powered chatbots, or changes in how we work, like the embrace of working remotely, meeting the moment requires that organizations and leaders learn to be nimble. But what...
Why is Stakeholder Engagement Important?
When you’re developing a new project or launching a new initiative, sometimes the last thing you want to think about is bringing in stakeholders. Engaging stakeholders requires time, planning, and a smart yet adaptable strategy. Doing it well is no easy feat. But when...
What is Mission Creep and Why Does it Matter?
“Mission creep” or “mission drift” are two terms that have long plagued the nonprofit sector. So what exactly is the dreaded mission creep? Mission creep happens when leaders lose focus and allow an organization to move away from its intended purpose. Imagine mission...
Questions to Ask Strategic Planning Consultants
If you’re starting strategic planning and interviewing consultants, you might be wondering: What questions should I ask strategic planning consultants? Most organizations undertaking strategic planning choose to work with a consultant. There are incredible benefits to...
What is a Strategic Planning Timeline?
One of the first questions many strategic planning clients have is: What is the timeline for a strategic planning process? In practice, leaders are generally asking about two things: How long will the strategic planning process take? How long of a period should a...
Funding for Good on the Nonprofit MBA Podcast
Mandy Pearce on The Nonprofit MBA Podcast Nonprofit Strategic Planning: Setting Your Organization Up for Success Nonprofit strategic planning enables nonprofit organizations to set and achieve their long-term goals effectively. It involves defining your nonprofit's...
The Relationship Between Strategic Planning and Risk Management
As leaders, we often think of strategic planning as a project for when things are already going well. We imagine tackling questions of how to grow—our budget, our impact and our teams. But planning isn’t just for the good times. There’s a strong relationship between...
What Are the Steps in Strategic Planning?
One frequent question we hear from organizations is: What are the steps in strategic planning? Leaders, especially those looking to make do without hiring a strategic planning consultant, imagine there might be a nice simple checklist. Follow the steps one by one and,...
Inspiring Quotes about Strategic Planning
When your organization is getting started with a strategic planning process, “inspiring” might not be the first word that comes to mind. But in Funding for Good’s work with dozens of organizations, we’ve found that inspiration is exactly what the strategic planning...
Surprising Statistics about Strategic Planning
As strategic planning consultants, here at Funding for Good we’re always looking for the latest research and statistics about strategic planning. What works? What doesn’t? How does strategic planning benefit organizations—and how can it be even more effective? When it...
Considering Flexible Work Policies in Strategic Planning
Are flexible work policies right for your organization? One way to find out is through a strategic planning process. The debate about what works when it comes to “flex work” has been heating up. Major companies like Disney and Amazon have issued new policies requiring...
How to Write a Strategic Planning RFP
Learn how to write a strategic planning RFP to attract the right consultant for your unique organization. Have you decided to invest in strategic planning for your organization, but aren’t sure where to start? Here at Funding for Good, we always recommend working with...
What is an Operational Plan vs a Strategic Plan?
Organizational leaders do a lot of planning. The ability to consistently design and implement project, program, and other plans can spell the difference between an organization’s long-term failure and success. In our work with hundreds of leaders and dozens of...
Why to Hire a Consultant for Strategic Planning
Are you wondering whether to hire a consultant for your organization’s strategic planning process? When you decide to create a strategic plan for your organization, it’s tempting to consider a DIY process. After all, there are plenty of strategic planning templates...
Culture Eats Strategy When We’re Not Paying Attention
You’ve probably heard the saying that “culture eats strategy for breakfast.” It’s a clever way of explaining how even the best laid business plans can easily be undermined during implementation. In practice, it also refers to the way employee morale and other...
Strategic Planning Consultants: Your Complete Guide
If your organization is preparing for a strategic planning process, you’ve likely heard the advice to find a great strategic planning consultant. But finding that great consultant is often easier said than done. While there are plenty of strategic planning consultants...
Strategic Planning Models – Get to Know the Basics
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the different strategic planning models out there. And yes, there are many potential approaches—with upwards of 20 strategic planning models! So how can you know which one is right for your business or nonprofit? In this article, we...
Nonprofit Strategic Planning: Your Complete Guide
Every nonprofit could benefit from a strategic plan. Funders are increasingly asking to see organizations’ strategic plans. Talented staff and potential hires are increasingly eager to work with organizations that have clear and compelling visions. And, as leaders,...
How to Create Buy-in at Your Organization
Have you ever designed an amazing initiative for your organization and set out to get your team on board, only to see the effort fall flat? If so, you’re not alone. The challenge of how to create buy-in plagues leaders and plans across sectors. According to Forbes:...
