Strategic Plan Example Non-Profit Organization

Why Strategic Planning Matters for Non‑Profits

Strategic planning is not just for Fortune 500 companies. A well‑structured plan gives a non‑profit a clear direction, aligns stakeholders, and makes fundraising and impact measurement more effective. With a solid strategy, you can turn a noble vision into measurable results.

Core Steps of a Non‑Profit Strategic Plan

1. Organization Analysis

Identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT). Ask yourself:

• What programs deliver the most impact?
• Where are we limited by resources or geography?
• Which emerging trends (technology, policy) could help us?

Document these insights in a simple table to keep the whole team on the same page.

2. Environmental Scan

Look beyond your organization:

• Demographic trends in the communities you serve.
• Funding climate – grant cycles, donor interests, corporate CSR focus.
• Regulatory changes that could affect operations.

Use the findings to shape realistic strategies.

3. Mission Statement

A concise mission tells donors and volunteers why you exist. Keep it to one sentence that answers three questions:

1. Who do we serve?
2. What problem do we solve?
3. How do we solve it?

4. Vision Statement

Paint a picture of success 10‑20 years from now. A vivid vision motivates staff and helps funders see the long‑term impact.

5. Strategic Objectives & Goals

Break the vision into measurable goals (3‑5 year horizon) and concrete objectives (annual, quarterly). Use the SMART framework:

• Specific – clearly defined.
• Measurable – can be quantified.
• Achievable – realistic given resources.
• Relevant – aligned with mission.
• Time‑bound – with a clear deadline.

Example:

• Goal: Provide clean water to 1 million people in East Africa.
• Objective 2025: Install 150 new community wells serving 200,000 residents.

6. Strategy Development

Define the tactics that will achieve each objective. Typical strategies for non‑profits include:

• Targeted fundraising campaigns in high‑income regions.
• Partnerships with local NGOs and government agencies.
• Media‑driven awareness and donor engagement.
• Volunteer recruitment and capacity‑building programs.

7. Fundraising & Resource Plan

Because most non‑profits rely on external funding, integrate a dedicated fundraising roadmap:

• Identify donor segments (individuals, foundations, corporate CSR).
• Set annual revenue targets for each segment.
• Map outreach tactics (grant applications, events, digital campaigns).
• Outline stewardship steps to retain donors.

For a ready‑made template, see our Business Plan Template – it includes a fundraising section you can adapt.

8. Performance Measurement & Evaluation

Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for each objective. Review quarterly and adjust tactics as needed.

Objective	KPI	Target	Review Frequency
Install new wells	Number of wells completed	150 by 2025	Quarterly
Raise donor funds	Total donations received	$2 M annually	Monthly
Volunteer hours	Hours logged	5,000 hrs/yr	Quarterly

Industry‑Specific Mini‑Examples

Clean‑Water Non‑Profit

Goal: Deliver safe drinking water to 1 million people across three African countries.

• Strategy: Partner with local municipalities to co‑fund well construction.
• Fundraising: Launch a corporate sponsorship program targeting beverage manufacturers.
• KPI: Liters of water delivered per month.

Youth Education Non‑Profit

Goal: Increase high‑school graduation rates in underserved neighborhoods.

• Strategy: Provide after‑school tutoring staffed by volunteer teachers.
• Fundraising: Apply for education grants and run community grant‑matching events.
• KPI: Graduation rate improvement percentage.

Quick‑Start Strategic Planning Checklist

• ✔️ Conduct a SWOT analysis.
• ✔️ Complete an environmental scan.
• ✔️ Write a clear mission statement.
• ✔️ Draft a compelling vision for the next decade.
• ✔️ Set SMART goals and measurable objectives.
• ✔️ Outline strategies for each objective.
• ✔️ Develop a detailed fundraising and resource plan.
• ✔️ Choose KPIs and schedule regular reviews.

Use this checklist as a workbook during your planning sessions.

Helpful Resources

Boost your strategic planning process with proven tools:

• Download our Marketing Plan Template to align outreach with your mission.
• Track financial health with the Financial Dashboard Excel tool.
• Map objectives to outcomes using the Balanced Scorecard and Strategy Map Toolkit.

Get Started Today

Ready to bring your non‑profit vision to life? Explore our Small Business Growth Strategy Pack for step‑by‑step guidance, templates, and worksheets designed specifically for mission‑driven organizations.