advantages of strategic planning in fundraising

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4 Key Benefits of Strategic Planning for Nonprofits

Every goal needs a plan to get there, whether you’re trying to learn an instrument, scale a mountain, or enact positive change in your community. From  fundraising  to advocacy, your nonprofit engages in a variety of activities to make a difference in the lives of those you serve, but how do you ensure that you’re creating the impact you set out to achieve?

By developing a strategic plan, you can produce a blueprint that will guide your decisions and priorities for the next several years. Your staff and volunteers can use this resource to stay on track and explain just how you’re fulfilling your nonprofit’s mission to other stakeholders.

In this guide, we’ll touch on the basics of strategic planning and explore four essential ways your nonprofit can benefit from the process.

What is Nonprofit Strategic Planning?

Strategic planning involves reviewing your nonprofit’s current performance, assessing your environment, and engaging your stakeholders to assemble an actionable roadmap that outlines the specific steps you’ll take to accomplish your goals.

While nonprofits will typically draft a new strategic plan every three to five years, there can be several reasons for undergoing the process. For instance, you might be launching a new program or decide that you need to reallocate your resources. To set your team up for success,  Laridae’s nonprofit strategic planning guide  recommends asking these questions before you get started:

Eight questions that nonprofits should ask to prepare for the strategic planning process.

  • Do we have a clear and concise goal for this strategic plan?
  • Why are we creating a strategic plan now?
  • Is our nonprofit ready for honest, open reflection?
  • How much of our time and resources can we commit to this process?
  • Who will lead our strategic planning process?
  • How will we engage stakeholders?
  • How will we measure progress toward our strategic planning goals?
  • What tools, skills, or guidance do we need to make the most of this process?

According to  NonprofitPRO’s Leadership Impact Study , more nonprofits are beginning to take strategic planning seriously, with 52% committed to creating in-depth strategic plans as opposed to 47% in the previous year. This is because strategic planning comes with a host of benefits for both your nonprofit and the people you serve.

By engaging in the strategic planning process, your nonprofit can unlock the following benefits:

1. More Engaged Stakeholders

Nonprofits rely on the combined efforts of staff, board members,  volunteers , donors, and advocates to fulfill their missions. Strategic planning provides an ideal opportunity for checking in with your stakeholders and learning more about their most immediate needs, interests, and priorities. By factoring their feedback into your strategic plan, you can:

  • Increase transparency
  • Build trust and credibility
  • Boost your reputation
  • Tailor your initiatives to fit community needs better

There are several ways to engage your stakeholders, including sending online surveys, hosting town hall sessions, conducting one-on-one interviews, and organizing focus groups.

These activities demonstrate that you’re committed to building strong, lasting relationships with members of your community, setting the stage to secure more support and valuable opportunities such as  corporate partnerships .

2. Enhanced Decision-Making

Regularly, your nonprofit must make important decisions that can have a resounding effect on its staff members, volunteers, and beneficiaries. However, with so many factors to consider, including your values, resources, and stakeholder opinions, it can be difficult to hone the decision-making process at your organization.

By evaluating your circumstances and engaging stakeholders during strategic planning, your nonprofit can improve in the following areas:

  • Time and resource management. A strategic plan guards your nonprofit against mission creep, which describes the process of gradually engaging in projects and  hosting events  that stray away from your core mission. By reaffirming your most important priorities, you can steer staff members toward activities that are directly related to your long-term strategy.
  • Program development. The needs of your community are ever-fluctuating, whether that’s due to local policies, natural disasters, or economic downturns. Strategic planning allows your nonprofit to zero in on the most pressing stakeholder needs you should address and run more impactful programs for your beneficiaries.
  • Risk assessment. As part of your strategic planning process, you’ll typically conduct a SWOT analysis in which you take a look at your nonprofit’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Doing so enables you to take steps to safeguard against potential risks and create informed contingency plans.

Ultimately, a strategic plan should empower your nonprofit to be bold and experiment with different approaches that will deepen your impact. Turn your decision-making process into a well-oiled machine by assigning specific responsibilities and collecting diverse team member perspectives along the way.

3. Better Resource Allocation

Your nonprofit does all it can to acquire the necessary funds and other resources to improve the lives of your beneficiaries. Understanding how to effectively allocate these resources is essential to maximizing your impact on the community.

By engaging stakeholders and crafting a strategic plan, your organization can pinpoint where resources are most urgently needed. For instance, you might conduct a staff survey that reveals that investing in a  management training  course would go a long way toward cultivating more cohesion and collaboration among your team members. Or, you might realize that you should devote more time and energy to retaining your volunteers.

Furthermore, you’ll be able to solidify a budget for each of your strategic planning objectives, contributing to more  responsible financial management  across the board.

4. Realigned Team Members

Through the strategic planning process, your nonprofit has the chance to review, adjust, and reaffirm its mission, vision, and values. These three organizational elements are vital for informing your decision-making and unifying your team’s efforts into a cohesive strategy. By developing a clear understanding of how they can directly contribute to your nonprofit’s purpose, your staff members will feel  more engaged  and inspired in their roles.

Be sure to recognize your team members for their performance and applaud them when they live up to your nonprofit’s values. According to  Double the Donation’s employee recognition program ideas , there are a variety of formal and informal ways to appreciate your staff, from recognition awards to thank-you eCards. Practicing frequent recognition reinforces your team expectations and renews commitment toward your outcomes.

A thoughtful strategic plan will make your nonprofit more sustainable and resilient to shifts in the landscape. If your organization has limited experience with the process, consider reaching out to a nonprofit consultant . They’ll help you maximize the benefits of strategic planning by providing an outside perspective and sharing the latest best practices for success.

Measure your nonprofit’s performance, such as the number of people you serve, the average gift amount you receive, and the size of your donor base, to gauge whether you’re on track with your strategic plan. By making adjustments and improvements as you go, you’ll set your organization up for growth and a more meaningful impact in your community in the long run.

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How nonprofits can benefit from strategic planning.

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Strategic planning is essential if nonprofits are to achieve desired results and identify goals. Programs within a nonprofit can then use these goals to create individualized action plans that help serve the needs of the program while focusing on the global mission and vision of the organization. Having a strategic plan can help increase an organization’s focus to move the mission and vision forward while also helping the nonprofit to evaluate its progress, strengths and needs. Programs can evaluate areas they need to improve, ways they want to enhance the services they currently provide or discover areas where services can be added.

Strategic plan = blueprint for the future

An organization’s strategic plan acts as a blueprint, a plan and a focus of what direction the agency will move. “It generates an explicit understanding of an organization’s mission, strategy and organizational values among staff, board members and external constituencies,” according to Michael Allison and Jude Kaye , authors of “Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations.”

Program staff involvement is essential

Whether it is a new organization in its infant stages, an organization trying to rebuild or one that is thriving, planning is important and necessary to keep all staff focused on the future. Allowing all levels of staff to be a part of the strategic planning process creates clarity and buy-in. When a staff member is asked to help their agency meet goals with no explanation of those goals, they will not know how to effectively contribute. It is important to share with program staff what role they play toward the organization’s sustainability, therefore creating ownership and buy-in among programs. 

Strategic planning's eight objectives:

There are eight broad objectives that Bloomerang details for the strategic planning process:

  • Scope of programs and services – information that comes from the mission statement
  • Priorities for types of programs and services – listed in order from the board and leadership as the priority programs and services that tie back in to your overarching strategic plan
  • Priorities for target populations – goals that change every three years or change as new ones arise
  • Locations and facilities – capital planning, renovation, accessibility, new systems, maintenance and whatever else may be needed to serve clients
  • Community planning and organization – working with outside stakeholders to meet the community's needs
  • Advocacy and public policy – commitment to service the intended population while seeking a broader solution to the problem and engaging policy makers
  • Branding/marketing communication – how to reach the targeted audience that informs, engages, involves and motivates philanthropic support
  • Resource development – diversified sources of support for current and future programs through increasing annual operating income

Identifying specific, key objectives helps an organization fulfill its mission, boosts its appeal on social media and other means to generate financial support, and looks at what is needed to make the plan viable. Developing a clear plan around objectives such as these can help an organization stay focused on the present while still looking ahead. 

One-page plans

The concept of the One Page Business Plan was first introduced in 1994 by Jim Horan. He discovered that busy entrepreneurs as well as nonprofit CEOs needed a tool that could help them manage their goals in a quick yet well-written way. Christian Family Care (CFC) uses One Page Plans to help capture their annual goals and assist each department leader develop their program goals. Then the tool is used to help supervisors within each department develop their goals. This cascading of goals helps keep all parties focused on the program needs as well as the global needs of the agency. One Page Plans should generally be read in about five minutes or less. He focuses on five areas: Vision, Mission, Objectives, Strategies and Action Plans. 

Focus on the goals

Strategic planning can benefit nonprofits in many ways, acting as a guide and tool to help nonprofits focus on the goals they hope to accomplish in the coming year and providing a tool for presentations to the board and funders to clearly share the intention and focus of the nonprofit for the year. It also serves as a means of accountability to the board from its CEO, from the department directors to the CEO and from the supervisors to the directors. A strategic plan should be well thought-out and include all individuals who will be required to meet the goals and be a part of the team that decides the strategies and action plan for said goals. In conclusion, a strategic plan is most valuable when all who participate agree on its value and hold it in a position of importance.

Nicole Salusky is a graduate of the  Master of Nonprofit Leadership and Management  program at  Arizona State University . Salusky is currently working at Christian Family Care as a Foster Care Program Manager. She has been in the nonprofit sector since 1999. She pursued her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Ottawa University and has completed her master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management with ASU. Her passion is to serve people and find innovative ways to enhance programs within nonprofit agencies.

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5 essentials of nonprofit fundraising strategic planning

A group of nonprofit employees discuss giving day team roles so their fundraiser can succeed.

Fundraising strategic planning involves defining your fundraising goals and the strategies you'll use to achieve them. Having a detailed strategic plan in place before embarking on a  fundraising campaign  can be key to its success. 

An effective fundraising strategic plan tells a comprehensive, organized, and data-driven story that your team can use to help your campaign succeed. Follow these steps to elevate your fundraising strategic planning process.

Set realistic goals

Setting clear and actionable  fundraising goals  helps you stay on track throughout your campaign. Whether your goal is to increase awareness or recruit new supporters, measure your progress with key performance indicators (KPIs) to determine how close you are to reaching your goals. Some KPIs to consider include:

  • Gifts secured
  • Donation growth rate
  • Online gift percentage
  • Social media engagement
  • Average gift size
  • Fundraising ROI
  • Donor retention rate
  • Donor churn rate
  • Number of monthly donors

Your chosen KPIs will vary based on the objectives you set for your campaign. For instance, if you ultimately want to increase your monthly donors, you might focus on improving your outreach strategy and determine how you can increase their gift sizes later. 

1. Make a case statement

Your case statement is used to assess your strengths and highlight what draws supporters to your cause. This resource is a high-level summary of who you are, what you believe in, your fundraising campaign’s vision, the steps to achieve it, and, most importantly, how this plan reinforces your organization’s purpose. Ultimately, your case statement will form the basis of your donation appeals.

The main components to include in your case statement are:

  • Purpose and  story
  • Data and statistics
  • Actionable campaign steps
  • Goals and objectives

A great case statement both serves as a logistical campaign blueprint and communicates this information through the lens of your nonprofit’s culture, purpose, and values. Striking a balance between the two elements will center your beneficiaries while also establishing your credibility with external readers.

2. choose your team.

Your fundraising team will most likely be composed of  volunteers , paid staff, board members, and consultants. Even if they aren’t actively working on every ongoing project at this time, be sure to keep all team members in the loop about campaign developments to avoid confusion and promote cohesion. You can achieve this by holding meetings or sending out routine emails to provide updates on high-level changes.  

Fundraising team responsibilities include:

  • Conducting initial research into the fundraising landscape
  • Generating and maintaining prospect lists
  • Crafting fundraising messaging, materials, and collateral
  • Running periodic fundraising reports
  • Organizing fundraising events
  • Delivering  donor thank-you letters

Regardless of your campaign’s roles and responsibilities, keeping everyone on the same page throughout the process is critical to maintaining efficiency and achieving your campaign objectives. 

3. Evaluate your assets

Conducting a thorough inventory of your assets allows you and your fundraising team to analyze your resources, such as budget, supplies, and staff. Once you understand your current assets, you’ll be able to allocate them properly based on what programs have the strongest needs or potential to have the greatest impact.

Here are some questions to ask when evaluating your assets:

  • Which programs best exhibit our expertise, authority, and dedication to our purpose?
  • Which (if any) niche markets, audiences, or services do our organization satisfy?
  • Where are the milestones in our history that best display our track record of success and/or history of serving our community?
  • What (if any) connections do we have to influencers in our community who can amplify our reach?
  • How can we better mobilize and empower our volunteers, staff, and supporters to further our purpose?
  • What about our organization’s leadership, purpose, offerings, and supporters allows it to stand out in the larger conversation surrounding our cause?

After compiling this information, assign value to each asset. Depending on the focus area, this can be represented by both qualitative and quantitative data. Ultimately, use your findings to hone in on how your nonprofit will use funds to strengthen your initiatives in your strategic plan. 

4. Explore new fundraising methods

Most nonprofits take advantage of standard fundraising methods like events, direct mail, corporate philanthropic giving, and grants. 

To boost engagement, you should also evolve your fundraising tactics to optimize interactions with donors. Here are some effective fundraising ideas for you to consider:

  • Online giving.  Online fundraising revenue has increased  by 60% since 2017, because it allows donors to give quickly, easily, and securely. Plus, you don’t need to be tech-savvy to set up your own online donation page. There are user-friendly  fundraising software solutions  for nonprofits of all needs, sizes, and technological expertise. 
  • Text-to-give.  This is perhaps the most accessible giving channel for donors because they can conveniently participate using  their mobile devices . Text-to-give allows donors to text a word to a unique phone number and receive a link to your mobile-optimized donation page.
  • Peer-to-peer fundraiser.  A peer-to-peer fundraiser allows supporters to raise money on behalf of your nonprofit. This is a great addition to any campaign, as you’ll be opening your cause to a larger audience through your participants’ networks. 

Ultimately, the nonprofits that grow with each campaign have a diverse portfolio of fundraising methods that they regularly update to best accommodate their donors’ preferences. Use your donor data to find which fundraising methods appeal to your target audience. For example, text-to-give might be better suited for younger audiences who are on their phones more often.

It might take some trial and error, but once you understand what resonates with your donors, it will be easier to devise a strategy for the tactics you’ll use to reach them.

Putting your fundraising plan to work

Now that you know the key elements of a strategic fundraising plan, it’s time to put it all together. If you’re unsure of the most logical way to structure your written plan, consider using a fundraising strategic plan template. Once you’ve found a template that aligns with your needs, use it to excite your team about your nonprofit’s new direction. After all, it’ll elevate your fundraising practices for years to come.

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How to Activate Your Strategic Plan for Fundraising Success

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Reading your nonprofit strategic plan , I bet you will discover that philanthropy touches every section as it should. After all, a strategic plan identifies the impact an organization seeks to make along with the philanthropic resources required to achieve fundraising success. I would further wager that if you shared your plan with a major donor , it would inspire confidence in your organization and lead to deeper engagement and investment.

Benefits of Strategic Plans to Fundraising

Development professionals love strategic plans because they provide ready access to goal-oriented language for grant applications, solicitation letters, and prospect conversations. When I worked at The University of Chicago, my first initiative was our strategic plan which became our team’s field guide and provided metrics for which we could aim. Another benefit is volunteer engagement. When Board members or donors do not know how to engage in an organization, being a part of the strategic planning process allows them to learn more about the organization and align their passions and expertise with their needs.

What the Expert Says: Q&A with Kathy Graves

I talked with strategic planning expert and Creative Fundraising Advisors (CFA) Partner Kathy Graves of Parenteau Graves about how nonprofits can activate their strategic plans to help improve fundraising results. 

Liz Jellema: How do you recommend organizations measure development success within the strategic plan? 

Kathy Graves: First of all, development is only one facet of strategic planning. Secondly, while KPIs (key performance indicators) are important, numbers are not everything. The actual measurement of success is how many people maintain and deepen their engagement with and commitment to your organization as you live into your strategic plan. It helps to be more expansive in how you measure success. 

LJ: Should the strategic plan always push development to raise more dollars? 

KG: Most plans aim to raise more money, but that’s not the goal. The goal is to have an impact, to improve our world. It’s vital to name the result you seek before discussing how much to increase fundraising. Your strategy doesn’t have to be about raising more every year. It’s more important for philanthropic dollars to implement meaningful change. During the pandemic, some organizations saw new service areas grow exponentially and raised more dollars to deliver them. But many organizations are returning to or revisiting their original vision. For example, our human services clients find it important to stabilize lives by providing food and housing. Still, they are raising money to address systemic barriers that can lead to more significant permanent improvements for people. 

LJ: Many strategic plans are three or five years long. How do you recommend an organization’s Board and staff stay engaged and adjust for continuous improvement?

KG: Strategic planning is like personal training. You don’t stop exercising when you achieve your goal. Likewise, organizations cannot consider the strategic plan as a finished project and tie a bow on it. You must keep putting it at the center of your daily work. 

Ensure a few staff members are the key inside drivers—leaders who activate, monitor, and report progress. Everyone from entry staff to Board members owns the plan, but ultimately it needs key leadership to push it forward. 

The bottom line is that if you haven’t looked at the plan in three months, that’s a red flag. Set aside time monthly, quarterly, and annually for review. I also suggest that the plan be discussed at every Board meeting—share metrics and KPIs manageable for organizations to obtain and essential for organizational leaders to measure.

LJ: How can you use the plan to engage your major donors? 

KG: People want to give to success. One measurement of success is that you have a clear plan. Have confidence in your plan and show what you’ve accomplished.

A strategic plan is a terrific outreach tool. Utilize the plan as a runway for conversation. You might ask to sit down and share your progress with a prospect once you complete a one-year review. During the meeting, point to places where a prospect might provide dollars or expertise to help your organization reach its metrics and goals.

When you remain confident in your mission and plan, it will instill confidence in your donors that you can utilize their funds well. 

LJ: What formats have you seen work best for organizations to share their strategic plan? 

Do not send anyone a 28-page document! The operating plan can be long and detail-oriented, but that’s not what you’ll show most people. Brevity illustrates that you know what you’re doing and where your organization is going. Summarize your organization’s mission, vision, values, and goals on one page. I coach our clients to focus on three-to-five goals that are going to be the most critical drivers of success. 

Final Thoughts

Strategic plans are helpful when talking to prospects to illustrate that your organization has a plan and is acting on it. Are you prepared to share your plan with your Board and prospects? Reach out to CFA to learn more about our strategic planning services. We would enjoy helping your organization develop its next strategic plan. Contact us today!

Check out these sample nonprofit strategic plans:

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Liz Jellema

Liz Jellema

Chief Operating Officer , CFA

Liz oversees CFA’s operations, culture, values, talent, marketing communications, and financial performance. Liz joined CFA from the University of Chicago where she served as Director of Operations and Strategic Initiatives for the Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation at the Booth School of Business. Liz enjoys translating strategy into growth for CFA’s portfolio of mission-driven clients.

Kathy Graves

Kathy Graves

Partner, Parenteau Graves

Kathy heads Parenteau Graves’s strategic planning. She is an award-winning writer, co-author, teacher, and recipient of the Changemaker Award from ARC Twin Cities. Prior to forming Parenteau Graves, Kathy served as marketing and public relations director for The Minnesota and Virginia Operas and on the staff of U.S. Senator Gary Hart. She also was the arts writer for the Southwest Journal for seven years and a Mondale Policy Fellow at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

6 Steps to Developing a Strategic Fundraising Plan for Your Nonprofit

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Many nonprofits engage in strategic planning to help direct the future of their organization, but what about strategic fundraising planning? Using the framework of strategic planning to create longer-term fundraising goals and a guide to reaching them can help you level up your fundraising from year to year.

This type of planning is different from budgeting – a strategic fundraising plan will be your map to reaching your total budget. The process of creating and finalizing a development strategy will keep your organization focused on its twin goals of engaging in the work itself and securing funding to support that work.

Use these six steps to determine how your team can streamline and increase fundraising to set your nonprofit up for sustainability and longevity.

1. reflect on what’s working and what isn’t.

First, do an “audit” of your current funding streams. Engage your development team in this work to gain a full picture of what support you are receiving in different areas:

  • How much do we receive in individual donations, major donations, grants, event donations, etc. each year?
  • What is the ideal support level in each of those areas for your organization to continue sustaining itself?

Be realistic about both your staff’s time and external factors. It’s better to do less and do it well.

2. Define consistent sources of support

A key outcome of this audit should be identifying your organization’s consistent sources of support.

  • Who are your true-believer major donors?
  • Who are your long-term grant makers?
  • Who are the individuals or families who donate small amounts consistently?

Use tools at your disposal (intern assistance, donor databases) to find patterns among your current supporters – which donors have the capacity to increase giving, or where can you develop stronger connections that will lead you to new funding streams?

3. Review programmatic goals

Fundraising work typically involves an external and an internal component. The external component is often more familiar to fundraisers – where are we advocates for our organization’s work in spaces where people may not know the details? But we can often forget the importance of the internally-facing side – making sure that we are up-to-date on the latest programmatic developments, so that we are able to share with outside partners.

As fundraising staff, it’s important to create infrastructure in your organization to keep these channels of communication active; creating quarterly update meetings with program staff is an excellent way to ensure that development staff members are more integrated into program activities. Use online collaboration tools and shared documents and spreadsheets to keep everyone engaged.

4. Set two-year objectives

General strategic planning will often use a lens of five to ten years, but because of the vagaries of the funding landscape, making a strategic fundraising plan that far into the future can present more problems than it solves. However, being able to use a slightly longer lens does still have its advantages, which is why doing fundraising planning for two (or even three) years into the future can be very beneficial.

Nonprofits must follow certain accounting rules that can make it difficult to plan for a helpful future windfall, but applying for multi-year grants , engaging in planned giving, and working to increase a rotation of monthly donors are all elements of strategic fundraising planning that can help create long-term stability, even when working within the shorter timeline nonprofit accounting requires.

5. Identify new targets

A key part of your strategic fundraising planning will be to identify new targets to approach. Using the work you’ve done in steps 1-4 will help lead you to a point where you will need to identify new sources of funding over the next two years.

Plan out your new funder solicitations strategically. See what gaps need to be filled over time and be thoughtful in how you plan to do that; for example, if you need to ramp up your individual donations over the next two years, take time to cultivate a relationship before actually asking for money. Planning in advance allows you to create the kind of connections that will foster longevity in your organization’s funding relationships.

6. Cultivate a strong online presence

A strong internet presence makes your strategic fundraising plan much easier for you! As a fundraiser, you are an advocate for your organization, but it is simply not possible for you to cover all the bases. Let your nonprofit’s “personality” do this for you in different ways – get your organization’s name out there so that people can find you easily and can’t forget you easily!

  • Make sure your nonprofit has a website and is easily searchable
  • Use social media consistently to showcase your mission and impact
  • Get the word out about your work in press mentions

Once you have gained a specific donor, maintain regular and meaningful contact with them – send handwritten thank you notes and updates about your work. Finally, connect with similar groups in your area or subject matter for more exposure – you can uplift each other’s work, enhancing exposure for all.

Does your nonprofit need assistance with developing a strategic fundraising plan?

Head over to Taproot Plus, where you can get connected to Taproot volunteers who are eager to help.

Watch our “build a strategic fundraising plan for your nonprofit” webinar to learn more.

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The Power of a Fundraising Strategic Plan: Paving the Path to Success

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In the world of charitable organisations, fundraising is the lifeblood that fuels their missions and enables them to make a positive impact. However, simply launching fundraising campaigns without a well-defined strategy can lead to inefficiencies, missed opportunities, and ultimately falling short of achieving desired goals. This is where a fundraising strategic plan comes into play, serving as a guiding roadmap to success.

Importance and benefits of a Fundraising Strategic Plan

Let’s delve into the importance of having a well-crafted fundraising strategic plan and the benefits it can bring.

  • Setting Clear Goals and Objectives:

A fundraising strategic plan provides a clear framework for setting goals and objectives that align with the organisation’s mission and long-term vision. It enables the charity to identify specific financial targets, prioritise initiatives, and allocate resources effectively. With a well-defined plan in place, everyone involved can work toward a common purpose, fostering a sense of unity and shared direction.

  • Providing Direction and Focus:

A strategic plan outlines the steps and actions required to achieve fundraising success. It helps organisations identify the most effective fundraising methods, whether it’s events, grant applications, major gifts, or online campaigns. By defining the strategies and tactics to be employed, charities can focus their efforts and resources on activities that have proven to be the most successful, ensuring optimal use of time and energy.

  • Maximising Resource Allocation:

Fundraising requires the investment of time, money, and human resources. A strategic plan helps charities prioritise their efforts and allocate resources efficiently. By identifying the most effective fundraising channels, organisations can optimise their budget and personnel, ensuring that they are investing in activities that yield the highest returns. This strategic approach enhances overall efficiency and minimizes wasted resources.

  • Engaging Stakeholders:

A fundraising strategic plan involves input from various stakeholders, including board members, staff, volunteers, and donors. This collaborative process fosters engagement, ownership, and commitment to the plan’s implementation. Involving key individuals in the strategic planning process cultivates a shared understanding of the organisation’s goals and builds a sense of collective responsibility for its success.

  • Adapting to Changing Landscape:

The fundraising landscape is ever-evolving, influenced by external factors such as economic conditions, technological advancements, and shifting donor preferences. A strategic plan helps organisations anticipate and adapt to these changes by building flexibility and contingency plans. Regularly reviewing and updating the strategic plan ensures that the charity remains relevant, responsive, and equipped to tackle emerging challenges and opportunities.

  • Demonstrating Accountability and Transparency:

In an increasingly competitive philanthropic landscape, donors and supporters are seeking transparency and accountability from the organisations they choose to support. A well-crafted fundraising strategic plan showcases the organisation’s commitment to long-term sustainability, effectiveness, and responsible use of resources. By sharing the plan with stakeholders, charities can foster trust, enhance credibility, and attract additional support.

In the realm of fundraising, a strategic plan acts as a compass, guiding charitable organisations towards their goals. It provides a structured framework for setting objectives, allocating resources, engaging stakeholders, and adapting to a dynamic environment. By investing time and effort into developing and implementing a fundraising strategic plan, charities can maximise their impact, achieve sustainable growth, and fulfil their mission in a focused and purposeful manner. Remember, success is not just a result of good intentions, but rather a result of strategic planning and thoughtful execution.

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Why You Need a Fundraising Strategy

Has this ever happened to you?

A staff member comes in and tells you that there’s a terrific funding opportunity he’s just learned of. There’s just one problem: the proposal is due tomorrow, it requires extensive research and a full three-year budget, and it also requires financial paperwork which your accountant hasn’t completed yet.

A major donor calls you and asks why he has just received two completely separate requests for funding from two different people in your organization. Which of these requests do you want him to consider? He then goes on to ask you what’s going on in your organization, and why the right hand doesn’t seem to know what the left hand is doing.

Your boss asks you to write a grant to XYZ Foundation, asking for funds for a program for at-risk teens. But your organization doesn’t serve at-risk teens – it serves preschoolers from middle class backgrounds. When you ask why your organization would want such a grant, your boss explains “XYZ Foundation doesn’t give money for preschool projects, they give money for at-risk teens.” When you ask whether your organization is going to be starting a teen program, your boss responds “That depends upon whether or not we get the grant!”

What Is a Strategy?

If you’ve experienced this type of unplanned, haphazard fundraising at your organization, you already know why so many experts recommend that non-profits develop a fundraising strategy.

A strategy is, in essence, a blueprint for the fundraising process. It starts with your organization’s mission and general strategic plan, and creates a set of specific fundraising goals. Based on those goals, it is relatively easy to construct a fundraising plan to meet those goals. Typically, fundraising strategies include specific plans for raising both restricted (program or project specific) and unrestricted (general use) funds.

Fundraising strategies aren’t written in stone for two related reasons. First, as time passes, different funding priorities will emerge. Second, the fundraising landscape will change. Ideally, you’ll build new relationships with funders, but at the same time tried and true supporters may change leadership or priorities.

The Pitfalls of Strategy-Free Fundraising

As you saw in the scenarios above, fundraising with no strategy in place can lead to some really significant problems – not just for the fundraising function but also for your non-profit as a whole. That’s because working with no particular oversight or direction is bound to lead to omissions, duplications, poorly planned actions and lost opportunities. For example:

  • Without a clear set of priorities, it is almost impossible to research, prioritize, and plan for appropriate funding “asks.” With an ocean of funding possibilities out there, you need a rudder to guide your ship to the right opportunities at the right time.
  • Without a clearly defined process for proposing and undertaking fundraising projects, it is very difficult for staff to know who is asking for what kind of funding from whom. As a result, staff members can wind up stepping on one another’s toes. Imagine a non-profit in which three different departments have all written grant proposals to the same funding agency – all for completely different projects. As the funder, how would you respond?
  • Without a budgetary goal, it is easy to leap on every funding possibility with equal energy, whether or not the opportunity relates to the organizational goal. As a result, your organization may end up with funding for a project that is tangential to its mission or, worse, having to refund grant money for an impossible project.

The Advantages of Fundraising with a Strategy in Place

A fundraising strategy is more than just a list of grants for which you intend to apply. It must build on an organizational strategy, and it must include your organizational priorities, goals, and budgetary needs. In the process of developing a fundraising strategy, therefore, your organization will need to do a self-assessment, set a course, prioritize goals, and create both a mission and short term objectives.

This process, otherwise known as strategic planning, is helpful for the entire institution. The outcome, ideally, includes a core mission and objectives as well as related missions and objectives for each department. With this information in hand, it is possible to:

  • Prioritize funding needs
  • Identify staffing roles and responsibilities
  • Develop plans for restricted and unrestricted fundraising activities
  • Select appropriate grant funding opportunities for specific needs
  • Plan grant writing well in advance
  • Develop and implement an appropriate record keeping and reporting system
  • Build and maintain relationships with funders

Other advantages to having a written strategic plan relate to your ability as a fundraiser to manage the fundraising process. Should you go for that granting opportunity? Is this project more important than that one? Your strategy should provide you with helpful guidance. For example, a written fundraising strategy:

  • Provides you with the tools to review and make smart decisions about unexpected funding opportunities. Does the funding opportunity fit your organizational mission and priorities? If not, tempting though it may be to apply for free cash, you will be able to say “no,” and move on to more mission-central activities.
  • Provides you with an ironclad reason for prioritizing one staff member’s projects over another’s. Why does Joe get a grant application written while Bill doesn’t? Because the fundraising strategy states that Joe’s project will get funding priority this year, while Bill’s will get priority next year.
  • Makes grant writing much easier to plan. Once you have a strategy, you can research funding sources, make note of grant proposal deadlines, and start the grant writing process far in advance. This will mean the end of crisis-driven grant writing and the mad rush for documentation which are so often a part of the fundraising process.

Of course, creating a fundraising strategy is not a one-day, one-person affair. In fact, even if you are a one-person non-profit, you’ll need to involve your board in the strategic process. But the outcome – a mission, priorities, and a plan of action – are well worth the hard work. In the long run, you’ll have a smoother operation, stronger relations with funders, and a more reliable stream of income.

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9 Advantages and Disadvantages of Fundraising: Full Evaluation

advantages of strategic planning in fundraising

Want to know the advantages and disadvantages of fundraising? Wondering if the benefits of fundraising truly outweigh the challenges of fundraising?

Fundraising is a critical component of the nonprofit sector, providing organizations with the resources they need to achieve their missions and make a positive impact on the world. According to NPT, Americans gave a whopping $484.85 billion in 2021 towards fundraising . This figure may have gone up further in 2022.

But like with every approach, there are certain advantages and disadvantages of fundraising. Fundraising can help organizations build strong relationships with donors and achieve their goals, it can also be costly, time-consuming, and lead to ethical concerns. In fact, the difference between donation and fundraising is that one is voluntary while the latter is not. Fundraising requires more effort and as a result comes with its own set of pros and cons.

In this article, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of fundraising, providing insights and strategies to help organizations navigate these challenges and build successful fundraising campaigns. We will explore the benefits and drawbacks of fundraising for the organization and the people involved in the process of fundraising.

Advantages of Fundraising / Benefits of Fundraising

1. access to capital.

Access to capital is easily the biggest reason why organizations engage in fundraising. Fundraising is the most direct way to raise capital and support programs, projects, and other initiatives of an organization.

So a school fundraiser is usually a way to raise capital for better school supplies, providing scholarships to students in need, helping school sports teams, etc.

Read related posts on school fundraising:

  • How to get donations for a school raffle
  • School fundraiser fete ideas
  • Best charities for school supply donations

A church fundraiser, on the other hand, could be to raise capital for community service for those in need like orphans, senior citizens, widows, patients, etc.

Fundraising not only lets private organizations directly raise capital but is also the primary goal for which non-profits are set up.

2. Increased Visibility

Fundraising is an excellent way to increase an organization’s visibility or popularity.

Fundraising events attract visibility through newspapers and media coverage, word-of-mouth marketing, engagement with donors, partners, corporates, and contributing individuals, social media campaigning and promotions, and demonstration of success stories.

If dedicated efforts are taken to leverage these opportunities, visibility alone can become one of the biggest advantages of fundraising.

3. Diversification of Funding Sources

Many organizations depend on a single source of income to meet their organizational demands. Fundraising allows the organization to add a few more sources of funds in the form of donations, grants, fundraising galas, successful raffles , and events, etc.

This diversification of funding sources reduces the reliance on a single source and mitigates risks associated with funding volatilities.

Having an extra source of funding is particularly crucial for organizations working in education, health, animal welfare, environment, etc. as they allow the organizations to carry on their work without liquidity interruptions.

4. Opportunity to Build Relationships

advantages of strategic planning in fundraising

Fundraising for foster care , children’s health, schools, eradication of diseases, animal welfare, etc. creates the need to reach out to large corporates, high-net-worth individuals, celebrities, community helpers, government officials, and other people or bodies with whom it may be impossible to build a rapport.

Social betterment causes are a unifying factor and the relationships built from such causes are one of the most reliable and trustworthy.

5. Promotion of Innovation

Organizations often put innovation on the back burner on their list of priorities due to a lack of funds. But innovation and exploration of new ideas are a solid way of futureproofing and critical for the survival of an organization.

The funds raised from fundraising events allow organizations to pursue innovations, invest in research and development, and experiment with out-of-the-box ideas.

By embracing innovation and leveraging fundraising resources, organizations can remain agile, adapt to changing needs, and drive positive change in their communities.

6. Increased Community Engagement

As stated earlier, social betterment causes are unifying and have a massive potential of bringing together masses from across various sectors of the community.

Fundraising events provide an excellent platform to boost community participation in the form of charity walks, galas, raffles, fetes, etc.

Members of the community can come together to

  • set up stalls to sell stuff, organize games, etc
  • participate and perform at events like concerts, karaoke, etc.
  • engage in promotional campaigns on social media
  • collaborate in their official capacity by donating to raffles, sponsoring an event, etc.
  • assist as volunteers or awareness campaigners.

7. Enhanced Reputation

Fundraising allows organizations to build solid goodwill. This fundraising advantage is unlocked as

– fundraising reporting often involves transparent disclosures. Complete transparency about an organization’s financial position, budgeting, fundraising goals, and appropriations significantly improves an organization’s overall reputation

– successfully raising funds also speak volumes about an organization’s management and efficiency and also builds credibility among stakeholders, community members, partners, and other collaborators.

– Fundraising efforts often communicate the organization’s impact and success stories. By sharing concrete examples of the positive outcomes achieved through their work, organizations can effectively demonstrate their ability to make a difference in their respective areas of focus. This showcases their dedication, and effectiveness, further enhancing their reputation.

8. Fostering a Sense of Ownership

This sense of ownership stems from the understanding that the contributions of each person associated with fundraising efforts directly impact the organization’s ability to achieve its goals.

As individuals become actively engaged in fundraising activities, they develop a shared responsibility and a sense of pride in being part of something meaningful. This ownership fuels motivation, loyalty, and a desire to see the organization thrive, leading to long-term support and sustained involvement.

Thus, involving employees, team members, and other stakeholders in fundraising events is a powerful way to foster a sense of ownership and harness their full potential

9. Flexibility

Fundraising improves flexibility by providing organizations with financial resources that can be allocated to different needs and priorities.

Unlike restricted grants or specific funding sources, fundraising efforts often generate unrestricted funds that can be utilized based on the organization’s evolving needs.

Thus organizations can take a call on the appropriation of funds based on the need of the hour. Funds can thus be freely allocated towards research and development, hiring of staff, improving infrastructure, etc.

Disadvantages of fundraising/ Challenges of fundraising

1. time-consuming.

Fundraising requires a lot of planning and strategizing. The organization needs to determine the goal of fundraisers, the amount to be raised, the way in which it should be raised, etc.

After a few initial discussions and meetings for formalizing the broad strategy of the fundraiser, the execution of the plan needs to be initiated.

The execution efforts could range from

  • meeting potential donors, setting up collaboration meetings,
  • organizing events, galas, walks, fetes, or raffles
  • mobilizing volunteers
  • managing donation tracking systems,
  • generating interest through social media campaigning or other publicity campaigns, etc.

In most cases, putting together a fundraising event could take up several weeks or months and fundraisers may not work as the best way to meet emergency liquidity needs.

Fundraising can be costly for a number of reasons.

Firstly, there are often significant upfront costs associated with planning and executing a fundraising campaign, such as marketing and advertising expenses, event planning costs, and staffing fees.

Additionally, fundraising efforts may require investment in technology and software to manage donor data and online giving platforms.

Finally, there are often fees associated with using third-party fundraising platforms or payment processors, which can add up quickly. All of these costs can eat into the amount of money raised, making it more difficult to achieve fundraising goals.

But if you want to overcome this fundraising challenge, read our post on ways to start a fundraising with no money

3. Risk of Failure

Let’s be real – not all fundraising efforts are successful. The risk of failure is one of the biggest disadvantages of fundraising. Unlike business decisions where the risk can be calculated to an extent and therefore minimized, the success of a fundraiser remains largely uncertain.

Despite the best efforts, organizations may not be able to meet their fundraising goals. The failure could be on account of improper planning and execution or due to factors beyond one’s control like wrong timing, unforeseen circumstances, donor fatigue (more on that below), overshooting budgets, etc.

Regardless of the cause of failure, a failed fundraising event often has a demoralizing effect on the stakeholders and the organization needs to find ways to mitigate the impact of failure or to look for other sources of income that pose lesser risks.

4. Donor Fatigue

Donor fatigue is a phenomenon that can occur when people are asked to donate to charitable causes too frequently or too aggressively. This can lead to a sense of burnout or apathy among potential donors, who may feel overwhelmed or frustrated by the constant requests for money.

Donor fatigue can be particularly problematic for fundraising efforts that rely on repeat donations or ongoing support from a small group of donors.

When donors become fatigued, they may be less likely to give or may give smaller amounts, which can make it more difficult for organizations to meet their fundraising goals. To mitigate donor fatigue, it is important for organizations to be strategic in their fundraising efforts, focusing on building long-term relationships with donors and avoiding excessive or intrusive requests for support.

5. Ethical Concerns

Gift cards - raffle prize ideas for schools

Fundraising, even though, undertaken for a good cause can often spill into areas that raise ethical concerns. These could be in the form of

– making emotional appeals – guilt-tripping to extract more funds – not making complete disclosures about facts to further fundraising causes – misusing personal data of donors and community members – concealing facts associated with use of funds, cost of fundraising etc.

Encouragement of such practices results in alienation of donors, half-hearted efforts by volunteers and other stakeholders and the overall failure of the fundraising movement.

6. Risk of Burnout

Fundraising can be a demanding and high-pressure job that requires a lot of time and energy. Fundraisers may be responsible for managing multiple campaigns and working long hours to meet their fundraising goals. This can lead to burnout, a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion that can negatively impact a fundraiser’s health and job performance.

Burnout can also lead to high turnover rates in the fundraising industry, which can make it more difficult for organizations to build long-term relationships with donors and achieve their fundraising goals.

To mitigate the risk of burnout, organizations should prioritize the well-being of their fundraising staff by providing support, resources, and opportunities for professional development. Fundraisers should also prioritize self-care and set boundaries to prevent burnout from occurring.

7. Donor Demands

Donor demands can be a significant challenge for fundraisers.

Donors may have specific requests or expectations for how their donations should be used or may want to be more involved in the organization’s decision-making process. While it is important to listen to and engage with donors, these demands can be time-consuming and may distract from the organization’s overall fundraising goals.

To address donor demands, organizations should be clear about their mission and priorities and communicate these effectively to donors. They should also set realistic expectations for donor involvement and work to build strong relationships with donors based on trust and mutual understanding.

If flexibility is a non-negotiable for the functioning of an organization, the organization should avoid reliance on donors and instead engage in community fundraisers like galas, charity walks, raffles, fetes, etc.

8. Competition

Competition can be a significant challenge for fundraising efforts, particularly in crowded or oversaturated markets. When multiple organizations are competing for the same pool of donors, it can be difficult to stand out and attract support.

Additionally, competition can lead to a “race to the bottom” in which organizations engage in aggressive or unethical fundraising tactics like the ones stated above in order to gain an edge. This can not only damage the fundraising efforts on a short-term basis but completely erode the reputation and public trust in the organization.

To address competition, organizations should focus on building unique and compelling fundraising campaigns that showcase their mission and impact. They should also prioritize transparency, accountability, and ethical fundraising practices to differentiate themselves from other organizations and build trust with donors.

The timing of fundraising efforts also plays a critical role in determining the competition. October and November are peak fundraising seasons and events planned during that period often suffer due to stiff competition and donor fatigue.

9. Inefficiency

Inefficiency can be a significant disadvantage of fundraising efforts, particularly when organizations fail to use their resources effectively or prioritize the wrong fundraising strategies. 

Inefficient fundraising efforts can lead to wasted time, money, and resources, and can make it more difficult for organizations to achieve their goals. 

Additionally, inefficient fundraising practices can damage the reputation of the organization and erode the trust of donors and the public. 

To address inefficiency, organizations should prioritize strategic planning and data-driven decision-making when it comes to fundraising. They should also regularly evaluate their fundraising efforts and adjust their strategies as needed to ensure that they are using their resources effectively and achieving their goals. By prioritizing efficiency, organizations can maximize their impact and build strong relationships with donors based on trust and accountability.

Fundraising Pros and Cons – FAQs

What is the hardest part about fundraising.

The hardest part about fundraising is proper execution. Inefficient execution of a fundraising event could result in failure, loss of reputation, and erosion of public trust. To ensure proper execution, the fundraising planning must be strategic and data-driven. Volunteers, staff, and stakeholders must be carefully chosen and periodic evaluations must be done to ensure optimal use of resources.

What is the most important aspect of fundraising?

The most important part of fundraising is the planning stage. Not setting the right goals, choosing an improper method of fundraising, recruiting inadequately trained staff, and using the wrong tools are all planning failures that can negatively impact fundraising.

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Strategic Planning

5 benefits of strategic planning.

advantages of strategic planning in fundraising

By Mary King

20 january 2023.

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  • 1 1. It makes your organization proactive rather than reactive
  • 2 2. It instills a shared sense of responsibility
  • 3 3. It increases operational efficiency among leadership
  • 4 4. It improves staff satisfaction and retention
  • 5 5. It manages expectations and bolsters trust
  • 6 Get the template ↓

Many organizations understand the importance of strategic planning, and they’ll invest a great deal of time and money coming up with the strategic plan itself. But once the strategic planning process is complete, it’s really common for that plan to just… well, sit there. Maybe it gets reviewed once a year–an obligatory thing your company or organization simply “has to do.” Or worse, it becomes a glossy (and expensive) document that sits gathering dust on the shelf.

Well, as the leading provider of strategic planning and execution software , we disagree! A strategic plan is the compass for your goals, and we’re here to re-ignite that strategic planning spark. To get you started, you can grab our Free Strategic Plan Template , which you can download as a PDF.

In this post, we are going to look at five of the major benefits of a strong strategic plan, the purpose of strategic planning in the first place, and how it will improve virtually every aspect of your operations – from employee engagement, to plan execution, to leadership.

“If you don’t know where you are going, you are certain to end up somewhere else.” – Yogi Berra

A strategic plan is so much more than words on a page (or a shelf!)

If you have a strategic plan that you (and your employees) reference regularly, then it becomes a living document, a dynamic process that guides, responds to, and helps actualize large-scale dreams.

Here are five benefits of strategic planning.

1. It makes your organization proactive rather than reactive

Why is strategic planning important?

A strategic plan allows organizations to anticipate things that are most likely to happen and prepare accordingly. Through strategic planning, companies can anticipate certain unfavorable scenarios before they happen and take necessary precautions to avoid them. And, if something unfortunate–whether a small scale mishap, or a full blown crisis–does happen, then you already have something in place to ensure you’re able to get back on track.

When a crisis hits, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, having a strategic plan versus not having one can make a huge difference. For example, instead of having to halt construction plans, further disrupt learning, and be stuck in a pattern of only reacting during the pandemic, White Bear Lake Area Schools, MN, leaned on their strategic plan :

“We’ve completed projects already. Construction continued throughout the pandemic, which was really exciting for us. And through it all, our strategic plan has continued to inform our decisions about what type of learning environment we’re building for our students. That’s been invaluable . We’ve had to make decisions on learning models, remote work, distance learning… we’ve been able to root those decisions in asking what does our strategic plan compel us to do, and what opportunities have emerged along the way?” – Dr. Alison Gillespie, the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning with WBLAS.

Of course, the importance of strategic planning and being proactive is not just for catastrophe prevention, or mitigating poor outcomes. Another benefit of a strategic plan is it also gives you a competitive edge.

When you make being engaged with your strategic plan a habit, an integral part of how your organization operates, it means your overall vision, and the steps required to be there, are front of mind. This will keep your team alert, attentive, and able to keep up with changing trends.

While other strategic plans for other organizations may sit on the shelf, excellent strategic planning is enough to maintain a competitive edge. Staying one step ahead of what everyone else is doing requires a clear idea of what exactly you are doing. Rather than just always reacting to the trends, you want to be anticipatory. Better yet, be the trendsetter.

A strategic plan gives you this ability to be truly proactive – and, therefore, flexible – in your vision.

2. It instills a shared sense of responsibility

A strategic plan helps to define the direction in which an organization must travel, and aids in establishing realistic objectives and goals that are in line with the vision and mission charted out for it. But it also creates a sense of collaboration and collective responsibility.

The key to successful strategic planning is to engage everyone with the plan as early as possible in the planning process, and build in measures and implementation steps that allow you to monitor the results at regular intervals. When you do this, goals become stepping stones to even greater goals, and everyone becomes familiar with the aspirations and pain-points of your overall vision, and their contribution to it.

When everybody has a sense of purpose in their role within the greater organization, they are going to care about the outcomes. Everybody wants to feel important, needed, valued, and heard. One benefit of a strategic plan is that it formalizes this process. It’s really important to make sure everyone implementing a plan feels responsible for their part in it; when people are intrinsically motivated to complete their tasks, this creates energy and momentum on all organizational levels.

For the people involved in the actual strategic planning process itself, it creates a sense of democratic engagement. People are able to bring their own perspectives, thoughts, and ideas to the table, and will be encouraged when they see their strategies and actions come to life. For people carrying out those actions, they will feel more encouraged to be responsible for those outcomes when the goals are attainable and clear. A strategic plan makes those actions clear.

A strategic plan offers both the much-needed foundation from which an organization can grow, but also helps establish the roles and boundaries for everyone, thus improving efficient decision making and creating a greater sense of overall momentum and direction.

Ensuring employees feel engaged and responsible is one of the most important strategic planning benefits.

3. It increases operational efficiency among leadership

When discussing the importance of strategic planning in an organization, we need to consider leadership. One way that an organizational vision can fall short in its implementation is when there isn’t a clear enough idea of what change is needed where, and how complex that level of change needs to be. That’s where we can really see the value of strategic planning. In terms of strategic management, a plan provides leaders with the roadmap to align the organization’s functional activities to achieve set goals.

At Envisio, we aren’t afraid of complex plans. In fact, we love them. Because we exclusively work with publicly accountable organizations, such as local governments, our clients frequently have really complex plans that can span years (sometimes even decades)!

What we’ve learned is that there is no need to shy away from a grand vision; what matters is making sure the strategy to get there is clear.

People in leadership roles are often juggling many different priorities and ideas, and they are overseeing the entire operation. Management discussions, meetings, and decision making can sometimes suffer from not being able to see the forest from the trees–meaning, everyone is capable of losing perspective. A strategic management plan helps carry some of that load for leadership.

A strategic plan also increases operational efficiency in that it helps determine those important, practical, company-wide leadership considerations, such as budget requirements to accomplish set objectives. These practical, operational considerations illustrate why strategic planning is important.

4. It improves staff satisfaction and retention

Research has shown that over the course of COVID-19, local government employees are feeling as though they lack autonomy in their jobs, are feeling burnt out, and are experiencing disconnection from their work and colleagues.

As previously mentioned, a strategic plan can help empower your employees to feel responsible and engaged with their work, but it can also be used to plan initiatives like improved career advancement, perks and benefits, and improving workplace culture.

The reality is that public sector workplaces (local government and beyond) need to find ways to empower and support employees, otherwise these sectors will experience high turnover. Incorporating improved onboarding processes, feedback processes, and building in a process for positive recognition are all things that can be formalized in a strategic plan. Having a strategic plan can also reduce the experience of being “micro-managed,” which can increase senses of autonomy, and therefore satisfaction, in the workplace.

5. It manages expectations and bolsters trust

A strategic plan increases transparency, which helps build trust and eliminate ambiguity–both inside the organization and among key stakeholders. Strategic planning done well is beneficial because it creates more opportunities for collaboration across teams. Working together to see what each department is doing, rather than having disjointed groups, improves trust in the overall direction of the organization. Because so much of strategic planning refers to determining organizational goals, this helps set expectations across the different areas of your organization, and improves the overall functioning of the company.

Public sector work requires a lot of passion and care; it tends to attract value-driven people. Ensuring that the values of the organization are built into the strategic plan communicates to staff a sense of openness, and helps assure them (and remind them) about the overall mission.

One of the other benefits of having a strategy is it shows how information is being managed, in a modernized, quantifiable, secure manner. Being able to back up decisions using data, for example, is an objective, non-partisan way to communicate the rationale behind the moves your organization is making. All of this goes a long way in improving trust – both internally, and externally, to the community being served.

And if you really want to boost trust with your external stakeholders, consider sharing your organizational progress against your strategic plan via a public strategic plan dashboard .

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Mary King is a professional writer and researcher based in Toronto. She comes to Envisio with a Masters Degree, where she researched the relationship between the disappearance of urban public spaces, and high level decision-making processes in local governments. For nearly a decade, Mary has worked as a community organizer, promoter, and supportive researcher in a variety of nonprofits and think-tanks, and her favorite area of focus was in connecting local artists with marginalized youth. Since 2017, her writings and research on policy, local governance, and its relationship to public art and public space has been presented at conferences internationally. She has also served as both a conference chair and lead facilitator on professional and academic conferences across Canada on how to better bridge academic research with local change-agents, policy makers, artists, and community members. Envisio’s mission of excellence and trust in the public sector maps onto Mary's interest in local government and community mobilization. She loves working at Envisio because she cares about having well organized, strategic, and transparent public organizations and local governments. Mary is also a creative writer and musician and has been supported in her practice by the Canada Council for the Arts. Her stories can be found in literary journals across Canada.

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3 Leadership Roles Key to Successfully Implementing Your Strategic Plan

There are three key leadership roles that contribute to the successful implementation of a strategic plan. Learn about these roles and who should fill them.

The Heart of All Strategic Planning Models

March 11, 2020

The Heart of All Strategic Planning Models

The purpose of developing a strategic planning process is to align organizational resources to achieve...

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Fundraising Q&A: The relationship between to fundraising and strategic plan

advantages of strategic planning in fundraising

Can thee embellish on ultimate month’s article and help me understand the relationship bets the fundraising schedule real dynamic plan?

In an article entitled “How Fundraising Flows from Dynamic Planning” i states: “The key to raising money is control, which is, in turn, that summation of all management engineering within a particular charity. Control stems from comprehensive long scope planning, which integrates everyone aspect of the charity organization into a master blueprint whose objectives exist all synchronized: ampere strategic organizational marketing plan. “

Having you ever seen those toy vehicles that motor toward a palisade real then flip over and change directions wenn they hit a barrier? If it doesn’t respond to what’s blocking its pass the tires will spin until its battery runs dead. That’s an pic that IODIN want my customers to remember. Organizations need to be nimble enough up assess challenges and adapt respective. Board members furthermore leadership staff must invite real acknowledge feedback from stakeholders in order for the charity go stay relevant.

Few organizations live so focused on their need fork money that few forget one good deeds that inspired their existence. They’re reactive via nature … succumbing up forces that pound them about rather about being willing ahead of zeit for the piece. Successful fundraising needs to be rooted in the mission of your karitative real ongoing engagement of respective constituents. 5 Benefits of Strategic Planning

Young community are usually driven by a passionate urheber who wants on make ampere difference inches the world. S/he recruits buddies and family until be the inaugural board to helped drive their cause forward. Out staff to delegate operations to, these individuals are frequency so busy doing that they fail for think through their actions and build the necessary infrastructure from which one effective and efficient company can evolve.

The road consultants Bernard Steeds and Clare Segal define strategic planning exists the design away adenine desired future both effective ways of taking such about . Simone Joyeaux says, “ … good strategic konzept is who process that determining your organization’s relevance, producing more than a roadmap that ensures everyone are the which same frequency real where change is stimulated. “

Strategic layout information fundraising priorities

To get back to your question… no one should attempt to fundraise without grounding your requests for support in to organization’s identified priorities! With about 80,000 charities across Canada here your stiff contests for funding. Thus, you need to prove that your company is viable. Donors, particularly are major gifts, are incredibly experienced. They have every right-hand into ask your charity forward its investment prospectus …the organization’s roadmap to its intend future.

Strategic planning remains one process that helps the leadership doing aware decisions, based on the facts for help and potentiality situations. Most of us wouldn’t thinking of driving to an unknown destination without a chart or GPS, to why would we rush a charity, relying up other people’s money, without similar aids?

Business programming options

A basic way to identifying your organization’s themes the the conduct an annual STUDY analysis. This movement can be simple done by the chief executive or board chairing who takes stock a Strengths press Weaknesses (primarily internal historical or offer occurrences) and Chances press Threats (which judge external factors at aforementioned future). The greater you cast your net to recover comeback by various stakeholders, the more fully you’ll will. The question is…what do you intend to do with their advice? There’s nope point inviting reactions if your organization isn’t prepared go perform certain changes.

That most effective plans hugs lerning and make. Ideally, your business has identified its core values and a willingness to develop plus adapt is included in them. If your board lives entrenched in “we’ve always done it this way,” your charity’s consequence to its audiences will be seriously compromised on these schneller changing times. Strategies fundraising. Cashing include on something your organization does best. In which past couple of posts (see Item 1 and Part 2 by this trio component series), we’ve asked you to take adenine massive leap. A leap that may result in losing donor or losing contributed proceeds. The unfathomable. We’ve recommended this to organizations over […]

Jonquil Eyre , a colleague in mine once shared a thought-provoking question that’s einer excellent way to stimulate exploring organizational options. “To get this right, what would be different?” An very act of posing this query ensures this change is necessary in order until rise above current limitation.

A moderate go

A strategic planning method ME use with clients is in help them picture the structure five years coming today . The “ Vision ” the board and senior staff identify together shall articulated clearly in a series of phrases this they whole agreeing upon. This is an inspiring exercise and wonderful ways to build consensus under the team.

Once their dreams for a preferred future do been articulated, they must identify the barriers the stand in the way concerning their vision. This exists an challenging exercise for everyone…after all, we are polite People and it’s so much simpler on come going with solutions before we’ve tighter down one problem.

It’s not uncommon that a impediment is related to certain staff, board or volunteers. By setting the stage properly, the promoter can draw out this information without blame being gone otherwise sensation hurt. Separate of how slim this challenge may be, without identifying the issues that are wait the organization back we can’t come up with effective responses toward address them.

When managing this exercise, the most frequent get I hear toward “what’s blocking us from achieving our vision?” is shortage of money . EGO need to empower team members the delve deeper than this superficial belief. Simply think, if owner charity received a multi-million dollar bequest tomorrow — would my lodge spend those funds wily without a well-informed strategic plan?

In order to get up the crux regarding einer issue, critical thinking encourages us to ask why at least three-way times (and optimum five). For instance…easiest response is (1) “lack of money”…why…(2) “because no one goes out and asks”…why…(3) “because the feel likes it’s begging”…why…(4) “because they’ve never had any fundraising training”…why…(5) “because we focussed more on volunteers who’d run the organization than these who could ensure its long-term sustainability.”

At having aforementioned discipline to delve down the board can better identify more actually responses. In this event, of past twin “layers” unearthed the needing to train board members for fundraising and start to recruit individuals more focused on governance than hands-on service delivery or verwaltung. During the pandemic, strategic fundraising is incredibly important for churches and faith-based orgs. Optimize your strategic fundraising plans with this guide.

The next part of save facilitated start is to identify three or four Strategically Instructions . These are over-arching statements that everyone agrees upon furthermore am based on that priorities this have come marked in and the vision and barriers exercises. For remarkably young organizations, they allow only be in effect for 12-18 past whereas further mature charity might adopt them for 24-36 months. Once the board and senior hr have agreed over above-mentioned directions together, all activities must flow from their .

So the final phase in get strategic preparation facilitation are where the india really hits the road. The group needs on identify 6-12 month Action Steps . These are measureable goals based on everyone strategic direction that defaults concretely what needs to be done — by whom and when — is order to hit the target.

Charities with staff our can delegate most of this work to the chartered help but the board would monitor progress regularly. One way to achieve this objective is to ensure that an board and senior agendas reflect the strategic scheme.

For the charities without staff, duties calm demand to may divided and defaults. Than EGO mentions past, wenn board members are busying themselves about doing the work their cans remember how important their role in governance is to and organization’s survival. The ideal is to expansion your volunteer-base so which the unpaid staff can focus on the day-to-day operations and leave and strategic how and planning to the board. At so doing, yours are preparing the team for when staff our can get on the work and honing board members’ governance skills.

To wrap increase the month’s article The Free Bewirtschaftung Library provides an useful overview including:

Benefits of Strategic Planning

Strategic planner serves adenine variety of purposes in organizations, including to:

  • Clearly define who purpose of the organization the to start realistic goals and objectives solid with the mission in a defined time frame within the organization’s capacity on implementation. Computer sheds light on strengths and weaknesses and provides a 3-5 year blueprint used this corporate. ONE good straight plan will identify the issues that disk the.
  • Communicate those goals and objectives to one organization’s constituents.
  • Expand a sense of ownership of the plan.
  • Ensure the most active use is made of the organization’s resources according focusing the resources on the key priorities.
  • Provision a base from which progress can be measured and establish a mechanism for informed change when needed.
  • Listen to everyone’s opinions in order to establish consensus about where the management is going.

Diverse justifications include that diplomatic planning:

  • Provides clearer focus for the organization, thereby make learn efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Jumper staff/employees and the plate of directors.
  • Builds strong our in the board both in the staff/employees.
  • Provides the glue that keeps that board members together.
  • Products great satisfaction and meaning below plan, especially around a common vision.
  • Increases efficiency by increased efficiency and how.
  • Solves major problems in of business.

Strategic project is one reich enough topic for us to continue on this track for future month’s article as in the meantime… Plan the work and work the plan!

Cynthia Armour is a freelance specialist in fundraising and administration. A Certified FundRaising Executive (CFRE) since 1995, she volunteers as a subject matter certified with CFRE International. Wife works with boards and advanced staff to securing that strong leadership will enhance organizational load to govern and fundraise effectively. Contact Cynthia directly at 705-799-0636, e-mail [email protected] , button visit www.elderstone.ca for more data about her services.

To submit a question for a future column, or to comment about a previous one, please ask [email protected] . Not identifying information will appear in this column.

Disclaimer: Advice and awards are based on limited information provided real should be used as a guideline only. Neither the author nor mharena.com make any warranty, express or implied, either assume any legislation liability fork accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any details provided in whole or include piece within this article.

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advantages of strategic planning in fundraising

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Map Your Show

  • March 11-14, 2024
  • Atlanta, GA

Maximizing productivity: Optimizing picking efficiency through strategic slotting.

Monday, March 11 • 1:30 PM - 2:15 PM

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Location: Theater I

Event Information

Title: Maximizing productivity: Optimizing picking efficiency through strategic slotting.

Join us for an insightful session as we delve into the success story of our transformative project with a leading global animal health company . In response to their evolving logistical needs, we undertook a strategic slotting initiative within their existing warehouse design, revolutionizing their operational efficiency.

This session will showcase the challenges faced by our client in their warehouse operations and how our team collaborated closely with their logistics experts to implement a tailored slotting strategy. By carefully analyzing SKU characteristics, order patterns, and facility layout, we optimized the placement of items to streamline the picking process.

Key highlights of the session include:

  • Challenges and Objectives:  An overview of the specific challenges our client faced in their warehouse operations and the objectives set for the optimization project.
  • Strategic Slotting Approach:  Insights into the meticulous analysis conducted to understand SKU velocity, demand patterns, and other crucial factors influencing the slotting strategy.
  • Implementation Process:  A step-by-step walkthrough of the implementation process, from initial planning to execution, including any technology or software solutions employed for enhanced efficiency.
  • Operational Impact:  Quantifiable results and the tangible benefits realized by our client following the implementation of the strategic slotting initiative, such as improved picking speed, reduced errors, and enhanced overall warehouse performance.
  • Lessons Learned and Best Practices:  Reflections on the project, discussing any unexpected challenges encountered, lessons learned, and best practices that can be applied to similar warehouse optimization projects.

This session will provide valuable insights for warehouse managers, logistics professionals, and anyone interested in the dynamic field of supply chain optimization. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a real-world success story and gain practical strategies for enhancing efficiency in warehouse operations.

Type: On-Floor Seminars

See how Automated Material Handling Systems and Supply Chain Solutions will enable a leading global animal health company to: #1 Increase slotting and picking efficiency #2 Reduce replenishment time & labor #3 Improve space utilization for reserve storage area #4 Develop a facility that is flexible for future growth

Product Category: Consulting & Professional Services,Controls and Controlling Devices,Conveyors,Distribution & Warehousing Software,Labels and Labeling Devices,Order Picking & E-Commerce Fulfillment,Racks,Sortation Equipment,Supply Chain Execution Systems and Software,Systems Integration Services

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  • Manufacturing Planning & Sourcing
  • Consulting & Professional Services
  • Controls and Controlling Devices
  • Distribution & Warehousing Software
  • Manifest, Labels and Labeling Devices
  • Order Picking & E-Commerce Fulfillment
  • Sortation Equipment
  • Supply Chain Execution Systems and Software
  • Systems Integration Services

IMAGES

  1. Fundraising Strategy

    advantages of strategic planning in fundraising

  2. The Ultimate Guide on Creating a Strategic Fundraising Plan for Nonprofits

    advantages of strategic planning in fundraising

  3. How To Develop A Successful Nonprofit Fundraising Strategy

    advantages of strategic planning in fundraising

  4. 15 Reasons Why Strategic Planning Is Important

    advantages of strategic planning in fundraising

  5. Steps To Plan An Effective Strategy In Fundraising Event

    advantages of strategic planning in fundraising

  6. 10+ Strategic Fundraising Plan Templates

    advantages of strategic planning in fundraising

VIDEO

  1. Strategic Planning

  2. Strategic Planning

  3. Strategic Planning 1

  4. WHY STRATEGIC PLANS FAIL.BOTH INDIVIDUAL AND CORPORATE

  5. Corporate Strategy

  6. Boards, CEOs & Organizational Development

COMMENTS

  1. 4 Key Benefits of Strategic Planning for Nonprofits

    By engaging in the strategic planning process, your nonprofit can unlock the following benefits: 1. More Engaged Stakeholders Nonprofits rely on the combined efforts of staff, board members, volunteers, donors, and advocates to fulfill their missions.

  2. Five Benefits of Strategic Planning

    Benefit #2: Give Your Organization—and Yourself—a Roadmap for Success. Your strategic plan will serve as a roadmap for your organization's success. It will include: A refined vision and mission statement that can inspire your staff, board, donors, clients and community members alike. An analysis of your company's strengths, weaknesses ...

  3. The Importance Of Strategic Planning For Nonprofit Organizations

    getty. Strategic planning is integral to the success of every nonprofit organization. These plans serve as road maps that guide nonprofits, ensuring actions align with an organization's mission ...

  4. How nonprofits can benefit from strategic planning

    Strategic planning can benefit nonprofits in many ways, acting as a guide and tool to help nonprofits focus on the goals they hope to accomplish in the coming year and providing a tool for presentations to the board and funders to clearly share the intention and focus of the nonprofit for the year. It also serves as a means of accountability to ...

  5. 5 essentials of nonprofit fundraising strategic planning

    An effective fundraising strategic plan tells a comprehensive, organized, and data-driven story that your team can use to help your campaign succeed. Follow these steps to elevate your fundraising strategic planning process. ... Most nonprofits take advantage of standard fundraising methods like events, direct mail, corporate philanthropic ...

  6. How to Activate your Strategic Plan for Fundraising Success

    After all, a strategic plan identifies the impact an organization seeks to make along with the philanthropic resources required to achieve fundraising success. I would further wager that if you shared your plan with a major donor , it would inspire confidence in your organization and lead to deeper engagement and investment.

  7. What is a Fundraising Plan vs a Strategic Plan?

    Fundraising Plan vs Strategic Plan. At its most basic level, a fundraising plan details how much you need to raise to meet your organization's operating budget and your strategies to do so. A strategic plan, on the other hand, outlines a 3-5-year vision for your organization, including goals, objectives, strategies, and benchmarks for success ...

  8. Building a Fundraising Strategy: Resources and Ideas

    Here, we'll cover the following key steps and best practices for doing so: Craft a Detailed Fundraising Strategy Plan. Explore Available Grant Funding. Take Advantage of Corporate Giving. Plan and Host Engaging Fundraising Events. Emphasize Strategic Donor Cultivation Efforts.

  9. 6 Steps to Developing a Strategic Fundraising Plan for Your Nonprofit

    This type of planning is different from budgeting - a strategic fundraising plan will be your map to reaching your total budget. The process of creating and finalizing a development strategy will keep your organization focused on its twin goals of engaging in the work itself and securing funding to support that work. Use these six steps to ...

  10. Nonprofit Strategic Planning: Ultimate Guide + 7 Examples

    Articles Read the latest from our community of fundraising professionals. Guides & Templates Download free guides and templates. Webinars & Events See informational webinars and assist industry show. DEI Tools Get DEAR resources upon respected also learned leaders. Ask An Expert

  11. The Complete Guide to Nonprofit Strategic Planning

    Strategic planning has critical to hold owner nonprofit on matter the face any challenges with light. Here's the complete guide to nonprofit strategical planning. Strategic planning is critical into retain your nonprofit on task and face any key with ease.

  12. Nonprofit Strategic Planning: Ultimate Guide + 7 Examples

    News Read to latest for our community of fundraising professionals. Guides & Templates Download cost-free guides and templates. Webinars & Events Watch informational webinars also attend industry tour. DEI Resources Getting DEI technical from respected and experienced leaders. Ask An Expert Authentic organize questions, answered.

  13. The Power of a Fundraising Strategic Plan: Paving the Path to Success

    However, simply launching fundraising campaigns without a well-defined strategy can lead to inefficiencies, missed opportunities, and ultimately falling short of achieving desired goals. This is where a fundraising strategic plan comes into play, serving as a guiding roadmap to success. Importance and benefits of a Fundraising Strategic Plan

  14. Crafting a Strategic Fundraising Plan: Your Roadmap to Success

    In the realm of strategic fundraising, it's not just about setting goals; it's about crafting a compelling narrative that resonates with your target audience, backed by a clear understanding of your organization's mission, and fortified by a rigorous SWOT analysis.

  15. Why You Need a Fundraising Strategy

    For example: Without a clear set of priorities, it is almost impossible to research, prioritize, and plan for appropriate funding "asks." With an ocean of funding possibilities out there, you need a rudder to guide your ship to the right opportunities at the right time.

  16. Fundraising and Strategic Planning

    According to CNBC: There are science-backed benefits of having a morning routine: past research has shown that a consistent morning routine can reduce stress, boost your energy levels and improve your productivity at work. Do the benefits of a morning routine remind you of anything? Yep, strategic planning.

  17. How Having a Strategic Plan Will Help You Raise Significantly More

    If you're like most nonprofit leaders, figuration go how to keep your organization financially stable are perhaps your biggest relief point, but having plus effectively executing a strategic plan canned related thou raise significantly find money also ease that pain.

  18. Demystifying Strategic Planning: Process and Benefits

    What is strategic planning? Strategic planning results in a strategic plan. Without smart strategic planning, there is no strategic goal to lead the company in the right direction for success. A strategic plan is important because it serves as a guiding light and focuses on the future of the organization's goals rather than day-to-day planning.

  19. Fundraising Q&A: The relationship between the fundraising and strategic

    This article discusses how to integrate the fundraising plan with the strategic plan.

  20. 9 Advantages and Disadvantages of Fundraising: Full Evaluation

    If dedicated efforts are taken to leverage these opportunities, visibility alone can become one of the biggest advantages of fundraising. 3. Diversification of Funding Sources Many organizations depend on a single source of income to meet their organizational demands.

  21. 5 Benefits of Strategic Planning

    Here are five benefits of strategic planning. 1. It makes your organization proactive rather than reactive Why is strategic planning important? A strategic plan allows organizations to anticipate things that are most likely to happen and prepare accordingly.

  22. Fundraising Q&A: The relationship between the sponsor and strategic plan

    This article discusse how to integrate the fundraising plan with the strategic plan.

  23. How Having a Strategic Plan Will Help You Raise Significantly More

    If you're like most nonprofit leaders, figuring outbound how to keep your organization financially stable is perhaps your widest pain point, but having the effectively executing a strategy plan can help you raise substantially more money and ease that pain.

  24. Donorly

    A nonprofit fundraising goal is a thorough layout that guides you through a specific fundraising rolling. Learn how to creating your own in this guide. A nonprofit fundraising approach is a durchfahren plan is guides you through a specific fundraising campaign.

  25. Maximizing productivity: Optimizing picking efficiency through

    Strategic Slotting Approach: Insights into the meticulous analysis conducted to understand SKU velocity, demand patterns, and other crucial factors influencing the slotting strategy. Implementation Process: A step-by-step walkthrough of the implementation process, from initial planning to execution, including any technology or software ...