Nonprofit Strategic Plans - Five Examples Plus Free Template
What does a nonprofit strategic planning process include?
The Ross Collective supports the creation of nonprofit strategic plans. Our process for clients such as Youth Alive, East Oakland Collective, Bike East Bay, and AEOE has included three phases:
a) Kickoff and Discovery
One to two months. Determine focus areas for planning, gather data such as interviews, focus groups and surveys.
b) Create practical vision, strategies and goals
One to two months including in-person or virtual strategic planning retreat. Bring staff and board together to build a vision for the organization, and then create organizational strategies and goals.
c) Implementation planning
One to two months, virtual planning work including building a action detailed plan for Year One.
Seeking a Nonprofit Strategic Planning Consultant?
Who is Renee?
Dr. Renee Rubin Ross is a recognized leader on board and organizational development and strategy and the founder of The Ross Collective, a consulting firm that designs and leads inclusive, participatory processes for social sector boards and staff.
Committed to racial equity in the nonprofit sector, Dr. Ross guides leaders and organizations in strategic plans and governance processes that deepen social change, racial justice, participant engagement, and community strength.
In addition to her consulting work, Dr. Ross is the Director of the Cal State University East Bay Nonprofit Management Certificate program and teaches Strategic Planning and Board Development for the program.
Which nonprofit organizations has The Ross Collective worked with?
Our current or past planning clients include: AEOE, Bike East Bay, East Oakland Collective, Feed Black Futures, interACT, La Cocina, National VOAD, Los Altos-Mountain View Community Foundation, New Museum Los Gatos, Pittsburg Arts & Community Foundation , SOS Meals on Wheels , Yerba Buena Gardens Conservancy and Youth Alive.
What does a strategic plan include?
The Ross Collective led strategic plans for following organizations; click on the link to see each strategic plan:
Sample Nonprofit Strategic Plan
Below is a strategic plan from recent client East Oakland Collective.
A couple of notes:
The document below is a part of what was generated during strategic planning. There is also a one-year action and implementation plan that guides the organization’s work.
As a relatively new organization, East Oakland Collective did not have many of the pieces below. They were generated or rewritten through the planning process.
Once the plan was completed, East Oakland Collective shared this document with their community and it generated a lot of excitement.
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Nonprofit Strategic Plan Template -Text
The East Oakland Collective
Strategic Plan
Values
At East Oakland Collective, we are committed to:
Leadership. We lead with honesty and integrity to build and empower resident leadership.
Resilience. We build community relationships and help the community thrive by working towards self-determination, community healing and abundance.
Boldness / Innovation / Creativity. We break down barriers with authenticity and seek culturally creative solutions to address racial and economic inequality in East Oakland.
Justice. We combat racial, social and economic inequities for the Black residents of East Oakland.
Vision
We envision a community that ensures the voices of the residents of East Oakland, prioritizing Black residents, are heard and that residents of East Oakland become resource rich – to be able to eat, work, learn and play comfortably in their own neighborhoods.
Mission Statement
The East Oakland Collective supports residents of East Oakland, prioritizing Black residents, to navigate challenges and barriers to inequities through resource distribution and advocacy.
We work towards racial and economic justice and equitable access. Our work includes homeless services and solutions, economic empowerment and community action.
What We Do
Racial and economic equity through programming and efforts in:
Resource Distribution. Wellness, resiliency efforts, food justice.
Economic Empowerment. Lending circles.
Community Action. Neighborhood and transportation planning, Mobility 4 All.
Homeless Services and Solutions. Advocacy, policy and organizing work with and on behalf of unhoused populations.
Strategic Priorities
Support resiliency and equitable access for East Oakland residents
Expand food access
Develop and build economic empowerment program
Develop and build transportation access
Expand overall wellness
Develop organizational capacity
Build out procedures for finance, administration, human resources, marketing and communications
Raise $2 million over the next 3 years in order to expand our work
Board Development
Develop organizational data and metrics collection
This strategic plan developed December 2021-March 2022 in collaboration with East Oakland Collective staff by The Ross Collective.