Inclusive Strategic Planning for Nonprofits:

Based on our popular Nonprofit Strategic Planning course and the strategic planning processes that The Ross Collective leads with clients around the United States, Inclusive Strategic Planning for Nonprofits: A five-step process to expand energy, alignment and opportunity explores our successful, well-tested process, which brings out the wisdom among organizational staff and boards, builds investment in planning, and creates clarity and focus.

Update: we are revising the final draft and are seeking early readers to be launch team members. Learn more about our writing process here.

Reader feedback:

“It is a great read, not too long, and a good balance of a few anecdotes and a clear step-by-step format. I see how this book could be used quickly at a small organization, or expanded to become a more involved process at a medium organization. I would definitely recommend it as a resource!”

--Julie Doherty, Fundraising Consultant 

“It was such a wonderfully supportive and informational book that I feel really empowered with the correct tools to begin a Strategic Plan with our team and revisit old plans. “

--Cerise Fender, Business Development Manager, First Tee

This book is a practical tool for better understanding the process, facing potential objections, and creating workable plans. I could see using it with management teams to get alignment and set expectations and with board chairs and chairs of planning committees. “

--Lisa Gurwitch, C-Suite Nonprofit Leader

“I am so excited to buy this book and give copies to all my clients. It does a beautiful job simplifying the strategic planning process. I particularly love the questions in each section. And, the book makes the case that ‘inclusive’ strategic planning is in everyone's best interest.”

--Alyson Molloy Hussey, Nonprofit Consultant

Book preview: Who this book is for

I wrote this book as a clear, step-by-step guide to an inclusive strategic planning process. A broader goal is to share these techniques as widely as possible so that more people, including leaders of smaller organizations who cannot afford a high-touch package, can do inclusive strategic planning.  Many of the leaders who take the strategic planning course or hire The Ross Collective for a consulting engagement have a deep focus on justice and equity in their work, so this is a focus throughout the process.

Reasons that leaders consider strategic planning: 

• You may be a high-performing leader experiencing change in your organization or environment who needs planning, facilitation and support to build alignment and find clarity on shared vision.

• You may have found financial stability and are now seeking a plan to support a growth phase.

• Your organization may have grown or moved through changes, and people such as funders, colleagues, board members, or senior team members have told you that strategic planning would support and expand your important work.

Leaders often bring these questions and concerns about strategic planning: 

• You want to know how to get ready for strategic planning, how much time and money is involved, and what the steps are. 

•  You are interested in learning more about what is involved but are not sure where to turn and you are busy with an intense job that is often more than full-time.

• You may have had a negative experience with strategic planning before and the very idea can be off-putting at best. 

Strategic planning does not have to be painful or awkward, and it definitely does not require cheesy icebreakers or trust falls. What I love about leading inclusive strategic planning processes is that, in addition to yielding a lot of clarity at the end, the people participating in the process feel good along the way and feel ownership of the finished product.

Audiences for Inclusive Strategic Planning for Nonprofits:

• Staff and board leaders of small to medium-sized nonprofits, funders and government entities find this useful to orient them to strategic planning and guide them as they plan their time and budget to hire a consultant.

• Leaders of smaller organizations (budget size less $500K or less) who do not have the resources to hire a consultant can learn about the steps to do inclusive strategic planning on their own. 

• Consultants who are building their skills and seeking to learn more about the steps to lead inclusive strategic planning.