Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?” said Alice.
“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat.
“I don’t much care where–” said Alice.
“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat.
why charities need a strategic plan
a strategic plan can be the difference between good intentions and transformative impact. for charities and not for profit (NFP) organisations a well-thought-out strategic plan will help steer your organisation toward sustained success in a rapidly changing world.
best practices in charity and NFP strategic planning include:
- mission alignment: charities, driven by their unique social and environmental purpose, require a clear roadmap that aligns people, programs and money with their mission. it ensures that every action is a deliberate step towards the fulfillment of the charity’s core mission and vision.
- resource optimisation: charity resources are scarce. an effective strategic plan prioritises and optimises resources for maximum impact. it helps charities identify and tap into diverse funding sources, fostering financial sustainability.
- agility: external factors, from socio-economic shifts to policy or funding changes, can significantly impact charitable operations. a strategic plan allows charities to monitor and evaluate implementation and adapt while staying true to their long-term goals.
unique characteristics of charity and NFP strategic planning include:
- engaging stakeholders: charities operate within a network of interconnected relationships. this makes stakeholder engagement critical; the voices of staff, donors, volunteers, partners and beneficiaries are integral to the planning process.
- community-centric: charities in Australia often serve diverse and culturally rich communities. a strategic plan must meet the unique needs and perspectives of the populations they serve.
- impact and accountability: charity strategic plans go beyond sales and profit targets. in pursuit of social and environmental change, they establish clear, measurable impact metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure and evaluate impact.
- risk and social conscience: strategic plans for charities incorporate risk management strategies that go beyond financial and compliance risks. charity risk management considers social and cultural factors inherent to the communities they serve.
consulting support for charity strategic planning
better charity tailors strategic planning to the unique needs of Australian charities and NFPs, with a focus on impact, money and communities.
we help you develop plans that inspire confidence in donors, stakeholders, and the communities impacted by your work. join us on the journey to transformative change. contact better charity for expert consulting support for charity strategic planning.
“By failing to plan, you are preparing to fail” – Benjamin Franklin
strategic planning for charities and NFPs
strategic planning for charities and not-for-profit (NFP) organisations requires a different approach compared to the private sector. some key differences include:
- regulatory environment: charities are regulated by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). strategic planning must consider these regulatory aspects to ensure legal and operational compliance
- taxation and fundraising laws: charities benefit from tax exemptions and concessions, which has financial implications. fundraising activities are also subject to state laws and regulations and voluntary ethics codes.
- culture and demographics: charities serve diverse communities and cultures, which requires tailoring of programs and services.
- community engagement: community involvement is crucial for the success of charitable programs to ensure programs are designed to meet local needs.
- partnerships: identify potential partners, both within the charitable sector and with businesses or government entities, to grow the impact of programs and services.
- technology: a strong digital presence is essential for fundraising, communication, and program delivery to reach a wider audience.
- evaluation and reporting: demonstrating the impact of a charity’s activities is essential for maintaining trust with donors and stakeholders.
ignite your charity’s mission: strategic planning for social and environmental good
consulting support for charity strategic planning
mike tyson once famously said, “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” a strategic plan guides your nonprofit to realise its longer term goals (so you probably won’t even remember the first punch)!
a strategy clarifies why your organisation exists, what you are trying to achieve and your road map for social change. the plan organises your people, money and systems to make an impact.
charting a future direction is a fundamental first step in your organisation’s journey to achieving your mission in a sustainable way. it leads you to raise more money, expand your networks and broaden your reach. most importantly, it ensures you achieve more of the social change you seek.
strategic planning unifies the organisation behind its purpose and cascades through to departmental, program and people plans.
if you are a smaller nonprofit organisation, better charity will guide you through a strategy-on-a-page: a powerful document that clarifies your vision, mission, goals, objectives and the actions, budgets and KPIs to make it happen over 3-5 years. it is truly transformational!
larger charities will benefit from strategic planning. depending on your needs, the process can include:
- an environmental scan to understand the outside world and key drivers of change (funders, partners, policy, technology, competitors etc)
- an organisational maturity assessment to be honest about where you are at – put the challenges and obstacles on the table
- a bold vision, mission, goals and objectives to inspire your staff, board, funders, partners and supporters to get on board
- a theory of change to articulate what change needs to occur, and in what order, to deliver outcomes
- an operating plan to align your programs, people and resources to the strategy. it includes milestones, activities, deliverables, and accountability, with key performance indicators
- a financing plan and sustainable financial model to bring more money, and the right kind of money, through the door
consulting support for charity strategic planning
better charity is strategic planning consultant for nonprofit organisations and charities. if you would like coaching or facilitation support for your strategic planning process tailored to your needs contact better charity for a free consultation.
THE STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS IS TAILORED TO YOUR NEEDS AND CAN INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING STEPS:
CREATE A TEAM
a strategic planning group of board, staff and partners meets to develop the process, review progress, and make recommendations to the board.
ORGANISATIONAL MATURITY
the strategic planning group analyses your target audience, the outcomes you want to achieve, the value your organisation creates, your core competencies, your financial status and social impact of your programs.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN
the strategic planning group analyses external trends, your competitors and collaborators, your partners, your clients and funders to understand the context for your future strategy. market research will inform these conversations.
REFINE YOUR VISION, MISSION AND VALUES
revisit your vision, mission and values. your vision is the social change your organisation seeks, the mission is the day-to-day activities driving toward that vision, and values define how you make decisions and conduct your actions.
DEVELOP GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
determine what you want to accomplish in the next 3+ years. you will create 3-5 broad, measurable, achievable goals in the specific time frame of your plan, and then break each goal into the objectives to get there (a strategy on a page). the priority actions, deliverables and outcomes are best identified by developing a theory of change.
FINANCING PLAN
understand the costs (operating and capital) and income needed to achieve your goals and objectives. this includes an assessment of your financial model to create a multi-year budget projection for your strategic plan. a strategy without a financing plan will fail.
CONSULTATION
at each step in the process, you will need to seek feedback from staff, the board and key stakeholders and adapt the plan. a draft strategic plan will need to be reviewed by the board before the final plan is presented for approval.
OPERATIONALISE
don’t let your strategic plan sit on a shelf. the strategic plan informs annual operating plan priorities, milestones, activities, deliverables, budgets, people responsibilities and due dates. progress against agreed Key Performance Indicators is tracked using a visual dashboard. this ensure you adapt your plans to achieve your goals.
consulting support for charity strategic planning
if you would like to explore expert coaching or facilitation support for your charity strategic planning process contact better charity for a free consultation.
