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.
scale your charity’s mission: strategic planning for social and environmental good
strategic planning for nonprofit organisations
mike tyson once famously said, “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”
a strategy clarifies why your organisation exists, what you are trying to achieve and your road map for social change. it leverages opportunities and navigates risk (a punch in the mouth). 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.
better charity will guide you through the process using a FREE guide and strategy-on-a-page template. it will clarify your vision, mission, goals, objectives and the actions to make it happen over 3-5 years. it is truly transformational!
your free guide, tools and template for strategic planning includes:
- a step-by-step guide to developing your strategy
- an organisational nonprofit health check to put the challenges and obstacles to success on the table
- an AI-assisted environmental scan to understand the outside world and key drivers of change (funders, partners, policy, technology, competitors etc)
- an AI-assisted theory of change to articulate what change needs to occur, and in what order, to achieve your goals
- a template for your new strategy
register (or login if you are already registered) below to to develop your strategy. please share feedback so we can refine the tools and make them better.
if you need support to develop your strategy choose:
- an affordable expert coach to guide you through the process as and when you need it, or
- facilitated consulting to manage and coordinate the process for you
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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.
STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS
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 the value your organisation creates, your core competencies, your financial status and social impact of your programs.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN
the group analyses external trends to understand the context for your future strategy. market research will inform these conversations.
REFINE YOUR VISION, MISSION AND VALUES
define or revisit your vision, mission and values. your vision is the social change your organisation seeks.
DEVELOP GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
determine what you want to accomplish in the next 3-5 years. you will create broad, measurable, achievable goals and then break each goal into the objectives, priority actions and outcomes using a theory of change.
FINANCING PLAN
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.
OPERATIONALISE
the strategic plan informs annual operating plan and budget. progress against agreed Key Performance Indicators is tracked using a visual dashboard. this ensure you adapt your plans to achieve your goals.