Strategic Planning

Do you have a written strategic plan? Do you use it? Has it been updated? Not having a strategic plan in place is a bit like driving blindfolded – hard to know where you are and a near certainty that you are going to crash.

We believe that strategic planning is the best way for nonprofit leaders to connect the dots between vision, mission, programs, performance and impact and address opportunities and challenges brought about by changing environments and evolving needs.

We also work with leaders and their organizations to consider “short-term strategies for long term sustainability” – focused on addressing immediate issues responsive to the current context with an eye toward horizon concerns. This orientation to planning is especially relevant when facing an unforeseen and sometimes unprecedented crisis, like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Working with Boards

Is your board operating at optimal speed – drawing on best practices, ensuring organizational resources, providing leadership of organizational mission and vision? Do you have the right mix of board members and the structures and processes in place for effective governance?

We help boards build leadership excellence at the individual and group level, working to strengthen process and provide resources and training.

Our work with Boards includes:

• Board assessments to inform planning, training, and development

• Clarifying roles and responsibilities

• Supporting the executive-board relationship

• Strategies to recruit, retain, and strengthen board members in their governance roles

• Trainings and retreats on a range of topics

• Succession planning and leadership transition management support

• Facilitating critical conversations within the board and between and among board and staff

• Supporting board efforts to respond to and address ongoing critical issues in nonprofit leadership, including racial, disability, and gender justice

Working with Executives and Leadership Teams

Strengthening leadership in the C-Suite results in greater mission impact, higher revenues, lower costs, and improved stability.

Does your executive have the support and resources necessary to be effective and successful? Does your organization have a history of stable executive leadership?

Research on nonprofit leadership effectiveness makes an explicit connection between the executive leaders’ success and organizational support. Sustained and effective leadership depends on more than a leader’s knowledge, skills, and experience.

We can help ensure stable and effective leadership through strategies and services, including:

• Succession planning – help departing leaders plan for their transition and help boards assess the organization and its future leadership needs

• Executive coaching – work with executives on specified goals and objectives for internal and external leadership

• Leadership development programs – focused on increasing mission impact, higher revenues, and overall organizational stability

• Mentorship of emerging leaders – to assess leadership strengths, learning needs and plan strategies for continued development

• Work with executives and board chairs to support and strengthen their partnership.

Evaluation at the Organizational and Program Level

Do you know whether your organization’s resources are being deployed efficiently and toward what end?

• How are your programs contributing to your mission?

• How well are your programs meeting community and constituent needs and interest?

• What impact are you having and how are you measuring it?

  • Are you making a difference?

  • Where are you succeeding?

  • What else needs to be done?

We can work with you to design metrics and methods for program evaluation and organization-wide assessment. Findings will guide program innovation and renewal, continuous improvement, and organizational efficiencies.