Strategic Plans don’t always have the best “reputation” in nonprofits and churches. Organizations often spend a lot of money developing them to have them sit on a shelf doing nothing.

Within organizations, some people naturally think and work strategically. Others thrive on knocking things off their to-do list. To-do lists are not the same as making crucial decisions that help guide the work of the organization toward common goals and objectives.

The core values of your organization are the boundaries in which must exist. These are the beliefs you hold most dear. The absolute truths for your organization.

This is a comprehensive view of strategic planning.

Sooner or later, if your organization or church is to reach its potential, you must follow the first five steps. New organizations have gotten off to a healthy start by heeding the guidance offered here. Established organizations have received new life by revisiting these first steps to success.

The framework that pulls everyone to working toward the same goal. This is the changed world you are working toward. This video shares how to craft and live into your mission.

Is your organization poised for a campaign? How can you use such an opportunity to advance your organization in multiple areas and accomplish various goals in the end? Campaigns can be powerful opportunities in the life of your organization or ministry when organized well. They require time, energy, and thoughtful planning, but can propel your organization in several ways. The first aspect we’ll explore is how your campaign should resource your vision and priorities/plan. This may sound obvious, but all too often organizations move into a campaign without clear vision and priorities or don’t really align their fundraising goals with their vision and priorities - a missed opportunity to enliven your vision and resource your strategic priorities.

Many boards (councils) spend lots of time talking about stuff. But, is it the right stuff? And, when it isn’t the right stuff, are we hindering generosity? A strategic plan is critically important in the fundraising function both for churches and non-profit institutions. And, the board/council needs tools for asking for and monitoring the strategic plan.

Effective meetings build energy and engagement in organizations by ensuring leaders gifts are used in impactful ways. In this session we will explore practical steps you can implement today to ensure fiduciary responsibilities are met, while increasing engagement and impact.

The next step in your strategic planning work is to form the actionable portion of your plan. The leveling of the plan from the Macro through the Micro, will help you to better communicate the plan to constituents, and better manage the plan internally. We suggest the plan have three levels.

As you enter this portion of the work, here are a couple of key strategies to remember.

Strategic Planning is cyclical, there are seasons of Visioning, planning, and assessment. Good plans build continual assessment into the plan.

Why would someone increase their giving to your congregation in the coming year? When people think that you will do the same ministry next year, they will plan to give the same amount. We will discuss how clear ministry goals energize people to expand their generosity to make bold things possible.