7 Strategic Planning Mistakes Nonprofits Make

Is your nonprofit 18 months into its strategic plan and still stuck?

When an executive director brings me a plan that isn't moving, the trouble usually sits in one of two places: leadership, or the structure of the plan itself. This episode is about structure.

In this episode, I walk through the seven mistakes I see again and again: goals with no strategy behind them, no decision screen to filter shiny objects, no contingency plans, staff left out, the board left out, no financial pro forma, and no way to evaluate progress. Along the way I share what a pandemic-era performing arts client did with its contingency plan, and the repeat client that taught me staff focus groups are non-negotiable.

Then I close with what every planning process should include, and two free tools: a six-minute readiness quiz if you're about to begin strategic planning, and a check-in template if your existing plan has stalled.

This episode answers questions like:

1. Why isn't our nonprofit's strategic plan working?
2. We're two years into our strategic plan and stuck. What went wrong?
3. What's the difference between a goal and a strategy?
4. How do I say no to a grant that doesn't fit our strategic plan?
5. Should staff be involved in nonprofit strategic planning?
6. How involved should the board be in a nonprofit's strategic plan?
7. How do we track progress on a strategic plan?

Links mentioned in this episode:

1. Are you ready for strategic planning? Take the six-minute readiness quiz: https://successfulnonprofits.com/planning
2. Free Strategic Plan Check-In Template: https://successfulnonprofits.com/plancheck
3. Nonprofit strategic planning with Successful Nonprofits: https://successfulnonprofits.com/services/nonprofit-strategic-planning/
4. Thinking about a strategic plan? Reach out to me using the contact form: https://successfulnonprofits.com/contact-us/

Looking for more? Check out these other amazing episodes:

1. Supercharge Your Strategic Plan with a Learning Journey
2. The Power of Strategic Planning with Denise Spivak
3. Strategic Planning Part 6: The Board Retreat

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