Five steps to successful nonprofit strategic planning with Carol Hamilton

In episode 90 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton goes solo and talks about:

• What strategic planning is and is not

• the five steps to a comprehensive strategic planning process

• Keys to ensuring your plan gets put into action and stays relevant

The five steps are 1. kick off, 2. discovery or listening tour, 3. explore, 4. decide, 5. plan & act

Strategic planning:

• Strategic planning is a structured process for setting priorities for the medium term (3-5 years).

• It involves gathering insights from stakeholders, identifying themes, exploring futures, and making decisions to focus the organization’s future in service of its mission.

What it is NOT

• It’s not about predicting or controlling the future.

• Just the document, it's about conversations that build alignment and shared understanding.

• It is not just a retreat

Kick Off

• Setting yourself up for success

• Let everyone know what is happening and what is coming

• Pull together a team 

• Equity considerations

Discover

• Go on a listening tour

• Interviews, focus groups, surveys – what will work for you.

• How are you making participation accessible?

Explore

• Share the current state as well as hopes and aspirations

• Explore the wider landscape and ecosystem for trends

• imagine new futures for the organization

Decide

• Prioritize and decide on the future directions and goals: Where will you put your energy?

• Revisit your mission and vision – are they aligned with where you are going?

Plan & Act

• Define action steps, success indicators, and feedback mechanisms.

Keeping the Plan Fresh 

• Agree on a process for reviewing and updating the plan

Important Links and Resources:

Common Mistakes Organizations Make in Strategic planning:

https://www.gracesocialsector.com/store/p13/strategic_plan_mistakes.html

Be in Touch:

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