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Nonprofits are more than just about helping an individual case—it’s about making a real, lasting impact. But without a clear plan, even the most inspiring missions can struggle to grow. That’s where strategic planning comes in. It provides a long-term vision that keeps your entire team aligned, ensuring that every action today moves you closer to your ultimate goals.
Think of it as a roadmap. Without one, you might still move forward, but the journey will be slower, bumpier, and full of unnecessary detours. A solid strategic plan helps you stay ahead of challenges rather than just reacting to them. It keeps your team focused, making it easier to connect everyday tasks to bigger-picture success.
At Harness, we make this process easier. We provide the tools and strategies nonprofits need to turn ambitious ideas into real, measurable impact. Ready to take your mission to the next level?
The nonprofit strategic planning process
Strategic planning is about getting clear on where you’re going and how to get there. It’s the difference between hoping for success and having a real, step-by-step plan to make it happen.
So, what exactly is a nonprofit strategic plan? It’s a roadmap that:
- Defines your mission and long-term goals
- Aligns your board, staff, and volunteers
- Creates a clear strategy for fundraising and operations
- Anticipates challenges and prepares solutions
This is different from a fundraising plan (which focuses just on raising money) or an operational plan (which deals with day-to-day tasks). A strategic plan is the big picture—it connects everything and everyone together so your nonprofit can work smarter, not harder.
A strong plan doesn’t just sit in a document collecting dust. It’s a living, breathing tool that guides your decisions, helps you measure progress, and keeps your entire team on the same page. In the next section, we’ll break down the key building blocks—starting with your mission, vision, and core values.
Laying the foundation
Every strong nonprofit starts with a clear sense of purpose. Before you think about goals, fundraising, or strategies, you need to define what truly matters—the “why” behind everything you do. That’s where your mission, vision, and core values come in.
Mission: The heart of your nonprofit
Your mission statement is a simple, powerful explanation of what your nonprofit does and who it serves. It should be short, clear, and inspiring. If someone asks, “What does your nonprofit do?”—this should be your answer.
Example: “We provide free meals to families in need, ensuring no one in our community goes hungry.”
A great mission statement helps your team, donors, and community understand why your work matters—and why they should support it.
Vision: Where you’re headed
If your mission is the what, your vision is the where. It’s a bigger, long-term goal that inspires your team and supporters. Think of it as your nonprofit’s dream for the future.
Example: “A world where no child ever goes to bed hungry.”
Your vision should be bold but achievable, giving people a clear picture of the change you’re working toward.
Core values: The DNA of your nonprofit
Your core values are the principles that guide your decisions and actions. They define how your nonprofit operates, how you treat your team, and how you serve your community.
Example Core Values:
- Compassion – We lead with kindness and empathy.
- Transparency – We are open and honest in everything we do.
- Collaboration – We work together with our community to create change.
When your mission, vision, and values are strong, they create a solid foundation for your strategic plan. They help you make smart decisions, attract the right supporters, and stay focused on what truly matters.
Conducting a nonprofit SWOT analysis
Before you plan where you’re going, you need to understand where you stand. That’s where a SWOT analysis comes in. It helps you take a real, honest look at your nonprofit’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats—so you can build a strategy that works.
Breaking down SWOT analysis
A SWOT analysis looks at both internal and external factors:
How to conduct a SWOT analysis
- Get input from your team. Gather board members, staff, and key stakeholders. Everyone sees different strengths and challenges.
- Be honest. A good strategy starts with knowing what’s working—and what’s not.
- Look for patterns. Are multiple people saying the same thing? That’s a sign to pay attention.
- Turn weaknesses into action items. If funding is a weakness, explore new fundraising strategies. If volunteer retention is a challenge, create a better onboarding process.
Setting strategic priorities and goals
Once you’ve completed your SWOT analysis, it’s time to turn insights into action. This means setting strategic priorities—the key focus areas that will help your nonprofit grow and make a bigger impact.
What are strategic priorities?
Strategic priorities are the big-picture goals your nonprofit needs to achieve over the next few years. They should be clear, focused, and tied to your mission.
Example: If your SWOT analysis shows that funding is a weakness, a strategic priority might be to diversify revenue streams through grants, major donors, and corporate partnerships.
How to set SMART goals
Each priority should come with SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Aligning your team
Strategic priorities aren’t just for leadership—they should guide everyone in your organization, from board members to frontline staff. The best way to get buy-in? Communicate clearly and show how each person’s work contributes to the bigger mission.
Build an actionable fundraising strategy
A strategic plan without a fundraising strategy is like a car without gas—it might look great, but it won’t get you very far. To fund your mission and keep your nonprofit running, you need a plan to bring in consistent, reliable support.
Step 1: Identify your funding sources
A strong nonprofit doesn’t rely on just one source of income. Diversifying your funding makes you more financially stable and less vulnerable to changes in donor behavior. Common revenue streams include:
Individual Donations – Monthly donors, one-time gifts, major gifts
Grants & Foundations – Government and private sector funding
Corporate Sponsorships – Partnerships with businesses that support your mission
Fundraising Events – Galas, auctions, walk-a-thons
Earned Income – Membership fees, product sales, services
Step 2: Set fundraising goals
Your fundraising goals should directly support the strategic priorities you set earlier. If your goal is to expand programs, how much funding do you need? If you want to increase outreach, how will you raise those extra funds?
Step 3: Engage your board and staff
Fundraising is a team effort. Your board and staff should feel invested in your fundraising strategy. Make it easy for them to help:
- Give board members simple scripts for donor outreach
- Train staff on fundraising best practices
- Keep everyone updated on fundraising progress
Step 4: Use data to improve your strategy
Don’t just guess what’s working—track your results. Use donor management tools to measure:
- Which campaigns raise the most money
- Which donors are most engaged
- What outreach methods bring in new supporters
Implement the strategic plan
Having a strategic plan is great—but a plan is only as good as its execution. The real challenge is making sure your nonprofit actually follows through. A strong implementation process keeps your team accountable, ensures progress, and turns ideas into real impact.
Assign clear responsibilities
Your plan should outline who is responsible for what. Every goal and action step needs a leader—whether it’s a board member, staff member, or volunteer. Without clear ownership, things can fall through the cracks.
Example: If your goal is to increase recurring donations, assign a team member to oversee donor outreach and engagement.
Set up check-ins & progress tracking
Regular check-ins help keep your nonprofit on track and adaptable. Schedule:
- Monthly progress meetings to review action steps and address challenges
- Quarterly strategy reviews to make necessary adjustments
- Annual evaluations to assess overall impact and refine the plan
Using simple tracking tools (like spreadsheets or nonprofit management software) helps ensure that nothing gets forgotten.
Communicate your plan clearly
Your board, staff, and volunteers should all understand the strategic plan and how they fit into it. Make it easy to follow by:
- Summarizing the plan in 1-2 pages for quick reference
- Holding a kickoff meeting to get buy-in from your team
- Updating stakeholders with progress reports and wins
Stay flexible and adapt
No plan is set in stone. Be open to adjusting strategies when needed—just make sure every change aligns with your mission and long-term goals.
Measuring success: Tracking and evaluating outcomes
A strategic plan isn’t just about setting goals—it’s about making sure you’re achieving them. Tracking progress helps you see what’s working, what needs improvement, and how to make better decisions moving forward.
Define key performance indicators (KPIs)
KPIs are measurable numbers that show whether you’re hitting your goals. Every nonprofit has different success metrics, but common ones include:
Fundraising KPIs:
- Total donations received
- Growth in recurring donors
- Grant funding secured
Engagement KPIs:
- Number of volunteers recruited
- Donor retention rate
- Social media reach and engagement
Impact KPIs:
- Number of people served
- Program success rates
- Community feedback and testimonials
Use data to make informed decisions
Tracking data is only useful if you act on it. If donations are lower than expected, adjust your fundraising strategy. If volunteer engagement is dropping, improve communication and recognition efforts.
Tools like Google Analytics, donor management software, and survey feedback can help you collect and analyze data.
Report progress to stakeholders
Board members, donors, and supporters want to know their contributions are making a difference. Keep them engaged with quarterly reports and impact stories.
Adjust & improve
Your strategic plan should be a living document—not something you create once and forget about. Set aside time every year to review your progress, adjust strategies based on what’s working (or not), and refine your goals to match changing needs.
Secure your nonprofit’s future with strategic planning
A strong strategic plan isn’t just a document—it’s a roadmap to long-term success. It helps your nonprofit stay focused, grow sustainably, and maximize impact.
Remember, strategic planning isn’t a one-time task—it’s an ongoing process. The most successful organizations aren’t just reactive—they’re proactive, always looking ahead and planning for the future.
At Harness, we make this process easier. From donor engagement to fundraising tools, we help nonprofits streamline their strategies and grow with confidence.
FAQs: Nonprofit strategic planning
1. What is a nonprofit strategic plan?
A nonprofit strategic plan is a roadmap that outlines your organization’s goals, priorities, and strategies for long-term success. It helps align your team, improve fundraising, and ensure sustainable growth.
2. How often should a nonprofit update its strategic plan?
Most nonprofits update their strategic plan every three to five years, with annual check-ins to track progress and make adjustments as needed.
3. What’s the difference between a strategic plan and a fundraising plan?
A strategic plan covers your nonprofit’s overall vision, goals, and priorities, while a fundraising plan focuses specifically on how you’ll raise money to support those goals.
4. How do I get my board members involved in strategic planning?
Engage your board by assigning them specific roles in the planning process, holding strategy meetings to get their input, and keeping them updated with progress reports.
5. Can a small nonprofit benefit from strategic planning?
Absolutely. Even small nonprofits need a plan to stay organized, grow funding, and increase their impact. A simple strategic plan can help prioritize where to focus resources and how to scale effectively.
