Strategic planning refers to a coordinated and systematic process for developing a plan for the organization’s overall direction. The primary purpose of a strategic plan is ensuring the limited resources available to the nonprofit support the mission. Developing a quality strategic plan encompasses both strategy and tactics or implementation.

Like a Business Plan in the for-profit world, a Strategic Plan’s primary motive is providing knowledge about an organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats and how to make decisions based on this knowledge. A Strategic Plan should act as a blueprint for organizations and is especially helpful for new nonprofits.

A quality Strategic Plan brings all stakeholders to the table with shared responsibility and goals. A good Strategic Plan also ensures the nonprofit stays laser-focused on the organization’s primary purpose.

Specific reasons to consider a strategic plan include:

1. Providing the organization control over external forces.

1. Serving as a tool for decision making and resource allocation.

1. Bringing all stakeholders together and ensuring everyone is on the same page.

1. Raising awareness of current issues plaguing the organization.

1.  Motivating key board and staff members within the organization.

1. Creating a fundraising and public relations plans.

1. Relating organizational capacity to community needs.
   

While there is no wrong time for strategic planning, new organizations should consider it a high priority. The board should review and update strategic plans annually to ensure the organization is continually targeting the next steps and growth. Additionally, any time an organization experiences a significant change or problem, the board should update the strategic plan.

For example, the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically affected all nonprofit organizations. 79% of our survey respondents saw a decrease in revenue. 38% of those reported decreased funding was greater than 50% of the entire organization’s annual revenue. These are dramatic numbers. It’s also a good time to unite the Board of Directors and other key stakeholders around a unified strategy through an updated (or newly created) strategic plan.

BryteBridge specialists can develop Strategic Plans in partnership with your Board of Directors, providing a quality guide for the organization’s leadership.