The document outlines Urban Sprouts' strategic planning process. It defines strategic planning and differentiates it from other types of planning. It then details the key components of a strategic plan, including articulating mission/vision/values, assessing information, setting strategies and objectives, writing the plan, implementing it, and evaluating. It provides an example strategic plan for Urban Sprouts with 5 strategies addressing areas like program growth, staff/HR, training, fundraising, and reputation/publicity. Each strategy includes goals and objectives to support fulfilling the organization's mission.

6. How can we be sure it’s a Strategy? Moore’s Strategic Triangle Strategic issue : How can we best use our resources to prevent youth violence? Mission/Mandate Decrease youth violence Capacity/Resources Existing funds for after school programs Youth Development expertise in community University Service Learning program in community People/Players Youth After-school funders University students Schools Community organizations Parents Strategy Create after school youth development programs staffed by university students.

7. Strategic Planning Step by Step An ongoing process Articulate Mission, Vision & Values Gather & Assess Information Set Strategies Write the Plan Implement the Plan Evaluate & Monitor the Plan Get Ready = start here = we are here

10. Set Strategies, Steps 2-3: Data from Retreat Priority (#) Strategic Areas Board Leader Meeting Month Progress As of 12/2009 1 Mission, Vision, Values Brent Lisa June/ July Mission done; V,V to do in January 2 Program Growth/Reach Abby Kisai July Drafted. Approved. 2 Staff, HR, Capacity Abby Simran July Drafted. Approved. 2 Training, Dissemination Lisa Abby Sept Drafted. Approved. 3 Fundraising Simran TBD Sept Drafted. Approved. 3 Reputation, Publicity Sanaz Stacie Sept/ Oct Drafted. Approved.

12. Strategy #1: Program Growth/Reach SWOT Analysis Strengths Our program model and evaluation results Our experience over 5 years ED trainings and coaching Board members’ expertise Lean organization Youth Development component Uniqueness - middle and high schools, grassroots-driven, under-served communities Board/volunteer knowledge of communications, publicity Weaknesses Limited resources - money and time Challenge to make schools sustainable Turnover at schools Limited reach - low numbers Limited time devoted to fundraising and administration Need volunteer management for non-direct service work Opportunities Our reputation with the schools and community Other partners and mentors in the community with expertise Our existing funders Lean organization - makes us replicable, competitive School gardens are hot, a major trend Partnerships with other related organizations Social entrepreneurship - income-generating programs Other orgs, schools, teachers want training and technical assistance from us Threats Economic crisis/situation - state and beyond Competitors - orgs doing similar work Low visibility, press, presence Dysfunctional public school system & Prop 13 Multi-billion dollar food industry advertising Poor food access in neighborhoods

15. Strategic Plan 2009-2012: Strategy #4 - Fundraising SWOT Strengths Weaknesses Strong and unique mission and message Excellent product/services Successful track record obtaining founda. and govt. grants 2008-09: __% Renewals; __ % new gifts Regular contact with supporters through blog, e-News, Fall & Spring print newsletter Strong volunteer program Successful annual event Need fundraising plan Need more unrestricted funds ED’s time is stretched in this area No staff or board members experienced with individual fundraising Hasn’t been board priority Not enough time and help to plan events More staff time required for fundraising (research & cultivation) Opportunities Threats Strong support from teachers and principals Growing visibility/reputation Attracting new community partnerships and volunteers Food industry contacts – events, other. Partnering with local restaurants Growing corporate volunteer groups Technology & online fundraising Board contacts Corporations interested in social resp., environmental and food issues Engaging former board members Foundation interest in food, obesity, food justice, environment issues SF Mayor interested in our issues Funding our training and leadership initiative Need to diversify funding to be sustainable: one source is 50% of budget, ending in 2012 Not enough contact with donors between asks. Need to increase donor acknowledgement, recognition Need to ask more often than once a year No segmentation in approach Need major donor personal asks Not involving non-board volunteers in fundraising Economy – foundations decreasing grant amts., others limiting new proposals More competition out there doing what we do

17. Strategic Plan 2009-2012: Strategy #5 - Reputation, Publicity Strategic issue : How can we best use our resources to build the buzz and exposure for Urban Sprouts? Mission/Mandate Capacity/Resources Audrey Roderick / Staff Volunteers / Champions Stacie Dong - Pro-bono Consultant Marketing/Publicity Committee People/Players Staff members Executive Director Advisory Board Funders - Foundation, Government Strategy Increase and spread awareness of the organization's mission through building relationships with media outlets to build out our base of support. Objectives : 1) Develop Media Press Kit & Fact Sheet ; Develop a very unique messaging platform 2) Develop relationships with media 3) Set up a Publicity/Marketing Committee 4) Use our evaluation results to create a pitch for services and products for new schools