Inclusive Strategic Planning for Nonprofits

What Is Inclusive Strategic Planning?

Inclusive Strategic Planning answers a simple but powerful question:

How will we thoughtfully and collaboratively move forward for the good of our organization, our community, and the world?

Unlike traditional strategic planning—where decisions are often made by a small group and shared later—Inclusive Strategic Planning intentionally designs participation, decision-making, and communication into every phase of the process.

This approach recognizes that:

• Strategy is stronger when it reflects lived experience and frontline insight

• Inclusion is a value statement, and a set of concrete design choices

• The way a plan is created determines whether it will be used

Inclusive Strategic Planning is both a process and a practice. It balances structure with flexibility and ensures that clarity, equity, and accountability are built into the work from the beginning.

Why Inclusive Strategic Planning Is Needed

Many organizations arrive at strategic planning during moments of change, growth, or uncertainty. Traditional planning processes often struggle in these contexts because they:

• Prioritize speed over shared understanding

• Rely on templates rather than context

• Separate planning from implementation

• Treat inclusion as optional or symbolic

Inclusive Strategic Planning responds to these challenges by slowing the process down in the right places and creating space for reflection, alignment, and trust-building.

This approach is especially valuable when organizations are:

• Navigating complexity or rapid growth

• Responding to internal or external change

• Seeking greater alignment between board and staff

• Wanting a strategic plan that actually guides decisions

When done well, Inclusive Strategic Planning does more than produce a document. It creates clarity, builds commitment, and lays the groundwork for meaningful action.

The Five-Step Spiral: The Inclusive Strategic Planning Process

Inclusive Strategic Planning follows a five-step spiral rather than a linear checklist. Each step builds on the previous one and prepares the organization for what comes next.

Step 1: Kickoff

The process begins by clarifying purpose and generating shared energy for the work. This step focuses on defining the "why" of planning, setting expectations, and establishing transparency from the start.

Step 2: Discovery

Discovery brings multiple perspectives into the process through interviews, focus groups, data review, and reflection. The goal is to surface insights, hard truths, and shared understanding before decisions are made.

Step 3: Prioritization

In this phase, organizations move from information to focus. Prioritization helps leaders and stakeholders identify what matters most and where the organization will concentrate its energy.

Step 4: Planning

Planning translates priorities into a practical vision, strategies, and goals. This step creates a clear roadmap that reflects both ambition and reality.

Step 5: Implementation

Implementation turns strategy into action. This step clarifies responsibilities, timelines, systems, and communication so the plan becomes a living guide rather than a static document.

The spiral reflects the reality that planning is iterative. Organizations often revisit earlier steps as new insights emerge. Dive deeper into the Five-Step Spiral of Inclusive Strategic Planning.

Circles of Participation: Whose Voice Must Be Heard?

A defining feature of Inclusive Strategic Planning is intentional decision-making design. Not everyone participates in the same way—and that is a strength.

This process uses three Circles of Participation:

Deciders

Deciders are the individuals or groups responsible for making final decisions. They hold accountability for the outcomes of the plan.

Builders

Builders actively shape the vision, strategies, and goals. They bring operational insight and help translate ideas into workable plans.

Sharers

Sharers contribute perspective, experience, and feedback. They help ensure the plan reflects the realities of those impacted by it.

Clearly defining these roles creates transparency, sets expectations, and prevents confusion. It also ensures that inclusion is meaningful rather than performative.

Outcomes Beyond the Plan

Inclusive Strategic Planning is designed to create outcomes that extend far beyond the final document.

Organizations that use this approach often experience:

• Greater clarity and alignment across teams

• Stronger trust between staff, board, and stakeholders

• Increased readiness for change and implementation

• Clearer priorities and decision-making frameworks

• Momentum for future work and growth

Creating a strategic plan is not the end of the process—it is the beginning. When planning is done inclusively, it opens the door to sustained progress, adaptive leadership, and meaningful impact.

Work With The Ross Collective

The Ross Collective partners with nonprofits and public-serving organizations to design and facilitate Inclusive Strategic Planning processes that reflect their values and goals.

If your organization is considering strategic planning and wants a process that builds clarity, trust, and action, we invite you to learn more about our approach or get in touch.