Strategic Planning for Nonprofits
We help Nonprofit organizations create clear, actionable strategic plans that align mission, vision, and goals for long-term impact.
Turning Vision into Action
A strong mission is the foundation of every nonprofit, but without a clear, actionable strategic plan, even the most passionate organizations can struggle to align goals, priorities, and resources effectively. Whether your nonprofit is setting its long-term vision, adapting to change, or needing a fresh roadmap for impact, strategic planning helps turn ideas into action and ensures leaders, staff, and stakeholders are moving in the same direction - with support from the community and funders.
But planning isn’t just about setting goals—it’s about making sure they’re realistic, responsive to community needs, and "fundable". Your organization knows your mission, community, and stakeholders best—we’re simply here to provide a clear, engaging structure to facilitate the right conversations, ensure decisions are mission-aligned, and create a plan that works in the real world.
At Two Five One, we help nonprofits develop actionable strategic plans that align mission, vision, and goals with sustainable impact—so you can lead with confidence and drive long-term success.
Our Approach: Creating the Plan & the Tools to Sustain It
A strategic plan isn’t just a document—it’s a tool for aligning mission, goals, and resources in a way that is actionable and fundable. We recognize that nonprofits often refresh parts of their strategic plan for major grant applications, budgeting, and fundraising efforts (e.g., Case for Support), so not everything needs to be rebuilt from scratch.
We start by assessing what’s already working, ensuring that planning conversations build on existing strengths while addressing gaps. Our process is engaging and structured, balancing internal insights with external perspectives to help organizations make clear, mission-driven decisions.
Beyond supporting you in crafting the plan itself, we help build internal playbooks so that key components—such as goal tracking, performance measures, and decision-making frameworks—can be easily maintained and updated by your team long after the planning process is complete.
And when your environment changes and your organization must adapt, you are equipped with the right tools and reflexes to reassess quickly and thoroughly.
Key Strategic Planning Activities & Deliverables
There are many strategic planning frameworks. We focus on what matters most: engaging in meaningful conversations without overcomplicating the process. Our approach ensures that planning is practical, mission-driven, and actionable—so your organization can stay focused on impact. Traditional components of a Strategic Plan:
Mission, Vision, and Values Statements
They clarify the organization’s core purpose, aspirations, and guiding principles, ensuring alignment across leadership, staff, and stakeholders.
Sample Facilitation Mechanisms: Leadership retreats, stakeholder interviews, visioning exercises.
Environmental Analysis
Assesses internal strengths and challenges and external opportunities and risks to ensure decisions are both aspirational and grounded in reality.
Sample Facilitation Mechanisms: SWOT or SOAR analysis, "competitor" benchmarking, funder and community engagement surveys.
Strategic Goals and Objectives (aka, "The Plan")
Defines high-level priorities that provide clear direction and align with the mission, vision, and long-term impact your organization seeks (at ~3-5 years out).
Sample Facilitation Mechanisms: Goal-setting workshops, stakeholder input sessions, scenario planning.
Strategy Development
Identifies the approaches, initiatives, and focus areas (at ~3 years out)to achieve strategic goals, ensuring alignment with organizational capacity and resources (we'll tie to OKRs if you use them).
Sample Facilitation Mechanisms: Cross-functional planning meetings, theory of change mapping, strategic focus area discussions.
Implementation Plan, Resourcing, and Metrics
This is the tactical, operational plan and measurement of success. It outlines the actions, roles, timelines, and necessary resources to turn strategy into reality (at ~1-3 years out). We will tie to "KRs" as appopriate.
Sample Facilitation Mechanisms: Work plan development, resource mapping, accountability frameworks.
Governance & Playbooks for Ongoing Maintenance
Ensures the strategy is not just developed but actively used and maintained through governance structures, templates, calendars, and practical tools that support long-term execution.
Sample Facilitation Mechanisms: Governance model creation, leadership coaching, strategic refresh cycles, standing strategy check-ins.
The last thing we want is to leave you with a plan that sits on a shelf and collects dust. A strong strategic plan should be practical, actionable, and used in day-to-day decision-making. By regularly revisiting goals, strategies, and performance metrics, nonprofits can stay focused, adapt to change, and keep making a real impact—not just today, but for the long haul.
Why Two Five One for Nonprofit Strategic Planning
Choosing the right strategic planning partner is about more than just facilitation—it’s about making sure your plan is practical, actionable, and built to last. Here’s what Nonprofit organizations have valued in their work with us:
Connecting Strategy to Realities
We know that a strategic plan is only as good as its execution. With experience in nonprofit leadership, business strategy, and hands-on implementation, we help organizations create plans that are clear, achievable, and grounded in the realities of funding, operations, and community needs.
Planning That Meets You Where You Are
Not every organization needs a full-scale strategic refresh. Whether you need a light-touch update for a grant application or a deep dive into long-term strategy, we adapt to your needs—offering flexible consulting and full project-based support.
Beyond the Plan, Tools to Use It
A strategic plan isn’t just a document—it should be a living tool. We don’t just help you create the plan; we help build internal playbooks, calendars, and governance structures so your team can maintain and adapt it over time.
Honest, Practical Guidance
We’re here to facilitate meaningful discussions, not overcomplicate the process. We ask the tough but necessary questions to ensure that your strategy is something that drives real action—not just a report on a shelf.
Nonprofit Strategic Planning FAQs
What is Nonprofit strategic planning, and why is it important?
A nonprofit strategic plan provides a roadmap for achieving your mission, setting clear goals, strategies, and priorities. Without a plan, organizations risk misalignment, inefficient use of resources, and difficulty securing funding.
How often should a Nonprofit update its strategic plan?
Most Nonprofit organizations update their strategic plan every 3-5 years, but regular goal reviews and adjustments should happen annually to ensure alignment with funding opportunities and community needs.
How long does a strategic planning process take?
It depends on the depth of planning needed. A light refresh may take a few weeks, while a comprehensive multi-year strategy could take several months. We adjust to your organization’s needs and timeline.
Can strategic planning help with nonprofit fundraising and grant writing?
Yes! Funders want to invest in organizations with a clear vision and measurable goals. A strong strategic plan supports grant applications, donor engagement, and financial planning, ensuring you have a solid case for funding.
How do we ensure our strategic plan leads to real action?
We recommend creating practical, results-driven plans—not just vision statements. These might inlcude clear implementation steps, clear accountabilities, triggers to reassess, and performance tracking to keep your strategy in motion.
Let's talk Nonprofit Strategic Planning
We’d love to learn more about your organization and help you navigate the best path forward.
Reach out today, and let’s find a time to talk!