The document outlines the importance and processes of strategic planning for nonprofit organizations, emphasizing its role in guiding major decisions and actions focused on future goals. It details the benefits of a strategic plan, including clearer objectives, enhanced teamwork, and resource optimization, while also differentiating between strategic and business plans. Key components of an effective strategic plan include mission and vision statements, compliance with mandates, SWOT analysis, and an evaluation strategy to measure progress.

1. Partner Service & Sales TrainingStrategic Planning

2. Strategic Planning Def. & BenefitsI. Strategic Planning Definition and BenefitsII. Strategic Planning ProcessesIII. The Strategic Plan-Contents and OutlineIV. CharityNet USA Services & Processes

3. Strategic PlanningIn short, strategic planning is a disciplined effort to produce fundamental decisions and actions that shape and guide what an organization is, what it does, and why it does it--with a focus on the future.

4. Why Strategic PlanningA means of establishing major direction for a nonprofit organizationConcentrates resources in a limited number of directions in order to maximize benefits to stakeholdersStructured approach to anticipating the futureTool for finding the best future for the organization and the best path to get there

5. Benefits of Strategic PlanningClearly defines the purpose of the organizationEstablishes realistic goals and objectives consistent with the mission and in a defined time frameDevelops a sense of ownership of the planEnsures the most effective use of the organization's resources

6. Benefits of Strategic PlanningProvides a base from which progress can be measuredBrings together everyone's best and most reasoned effortsProvides clearer focus of the organizationBridges staff and Board and builds strong teamworkIncreases productivity

7. Strategic Planning ProcessesI. Strategic Planning Definition and BenefitsII. Strategic Planning ProcessesIII. The Strategic Plan-Contents and OutlineIV. CharityNet USA Services & Processes

8. Planning PurposesTo help an organization do a better jobTo ensure that members of the organization are working toward the same goalsTo assess and adjust the organization's direction in response to a changing environment

9. “Strategic”Strategic planning process is “strategic” because it involves preparing the best way to respond to the circumstances of the organization’s environment, whether or not its circumstances are known in advance Nonprofits often respond to dynamic and even hostile environments

10. Strategic Being “strategic” means being clear about the organization’s objectives, being aware of the organization's resources, and incorporating both into being consciously responsive to a dynamic environment.

11. Characteristics of Strategic Planning ProcessDisciplined- It calls for a certain order and pattern to keep it focused and productive Analytical- Raises questions that help planners examine experience, test assumptions, gather and incorporate information about the present, and anticipate the environment the organization will face in the futureDecisive- Incorporates fundamental decisions and actions

12. Strategic ThinkingStrategic planning is only useful if it supports strategic thinking and leads to strategic management.Strategic Thinking means asking, “Are we doing the right thing?” and evaluating using specific requirements…

13. Strategic Thinking3 Requirements of Strategic Thinking:A definite purpose in mindAn understanding of the environment, specifically the forces that affect or impede the fulfillment of that purposeCreativity in developing responses to those forces

14. Strategic Plan Contents & OutlineI. Strategic Planning Definition and BenefitsII. Strategic Planning ProcessesIII. The Strategic Plan-Contents and OutlineIV. CharityNet USA Services & Processes

15. Strategic Plans vs. Business PlansFocus of a strategic plan is on the administration of the entire organizationFocus of a business plan is usually on a particular product, service, or program

16. Strategic Plans vs. Business PlansStrategic planning determines where an organization is going over the next year or more, how it’s going to get there, and how it will know if it got there or notSpecific plans do not contain specific financial data, but may include overall plans for increasing organizational funding

17. Strategic Plan ContentsA Strategic Plan should cover 2 to 5 years and should contain the following elements:Mission Statement- The reason you started the nonprofit and describes what you doVision Statement- It is what you hope to become. This provides motivation to the Board, staff, volunteers, and donorsValues- While your mission may be noble and your vision grand, how you get there is important as it often reveals the quality of the organization

18. Strategic Plan ContentsGovernment Mandates:All federal, state, and local rules and regulations that the organization must adhere to should be identified. The organization must review administration to make sure they’re in compliance with each mandate.Failure to remain in compliance with ALL governmental mandates may result in a variety of penalties.

19. Government MandatesMandates may incorporate a variety of compliance issues, including:Private Benefit and InurnmentPolitical Campaign InterventionLegislative ActivitiesTimely filing of Form 990Filings for Employees’ Quarterly TaxesState Income and Sales Tax RegulationsCharitable Organization Registration RequirementsState Annual ReportingCharitable Gaming Laws

20. Strategic Plan ContentsNeed Assessment- Defining the needs to be fulfilled or the problems to be solved helps to promote your work and make your nonprofit attractive to donorsGoals- In striving to meet the needs of the community or in solving problems, to what extent do you hope to accomplish your work?Organizational Assessment- To get where you are going you have to know where you are starting. This assessment reveals the strengths and weaknesses of the organization so you can focus on areas to improve (a.k.a. SWOT Analysis)

21. Strategic Plan ContentsSWOT AnalysisStrengths- Attributes of the organization that are helpful to achieving the mission. Weaknesses- Attributes of the organization that are harmful to achieving the mission. Opportunities- External conditions that are helpful to achieving the mission. Threats- External conditions which could do damage to the mission.

22. Strategic Plan ContentsStrategies:The strategies you will use to achieve the goals identified leading toward the vision of what the organization should become.

23. Strategic Plan OutlineExecutive SummaryOrganizational BackgroundMandatesStakeholder AnalysisValuesMissionEnvironmental AssessmentIssue IdentificationGoals, Objectives, StrategiesEvaluation PlanVision of the FutureStrategy Implementation

24. Services & ProcessesI. Strategic Planning Definition and BenefitsII. Strategic Planning ProcessesIII. The Strategic Plan-Contents and OutlineIV. CharityNet USA Services & Processes

25. PricingPrices charged for completion of a strategic plan will vary, depending on the options selected.Price quotes include only document preparation fees, and additional consulting time may be selected at an additional charge.CharityNet USA offers a variety of options within our strategic plan services, including plan writing, mandate research, strategy development assistance, and more!

26. Our ProcessOnce a sale has been made, clients are given access to a specific “Steps Page” related to the service purchasedHere, they will find a variety of information, FAQ, processes, and questionnaire to help them provide us with quality content to complete their work.Additionally, we provide value added resources to build goodwill and help our clients manage or grow their business.

27. Summary & ConclusionA strategic plan is ultimately no more and no less than a set of decisions about what to do, why to do it, and how to do it.Strategic planning implies that some organization decisions and actions are more important than others- and much of the strategy lies in making the tough decisions about what is most important to achieving organizational success.