Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations: A Practical Guide for Dynamic Times

Strategic planning is a common management tool in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors. But, for it to be effective in the nonprofit setting, it needs to take into consideration some of the special characteristics of this sector: the relationship between board and staff, the tug of war between the mission and the bottom line, limited resources (time, staff, and money), and more. Designed to accessible and practical, this workbook takes the fear out of planning for nonprofit managers. It breaks strategic planning into six steps, uses field-tested worksheets, and carries a real-life case study through the entire process. Acknowledging that different organizations have different needs and resources, this clear, concise guide presents a process that can be adjusted to work for a 1-2 day planning retreat or for a longer, 6-12 month planning cycle. Aimed primarily at small- and medium-sized organizations, it takes a no-nonsense approach to a nonprofit's most vital management activity.