Why is having a strategic plan essential to a nonprofit?
The strategic planning process provides opportunities for the board and staff to assess community needs, identify strengths and weaknesses, and focus the organization’s resources where they will do the most good. Strategic plans usually take a long view, three to five years, and help ensure the organization is focused on its mission and purpose. The strategic plan, when done right, is not a static document that is approved and then gathers dust on a shelf. Rather, it is a living document that is used to set goals and measurable objectives. The board and senior staff use the document to determine critical success factors and periodically access their progress toward achieving them.
