Nonprofit Strategic Planning

Invoke helps organizations create clear, actionable strategies through data collection, goal setting, stakeholder engagement, and implementation planning, providing a roadmap for achievable success. Our strategic planning process includes ongoing support for at least one year.

Testimonials

“Ivy Buchan did an outstanding job helping our organization develop our Strategic Plan and brought our Board of Directors together in a collaborative way so that we were all excited to focus and participate. Additionally, she led Board Governance discussions and helped us define our committee structure. She offered fresh and objective perspectives and suggested actionable next steps and recommendations. She is professional and has a wealth of knowledge and experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, strategic planning, and more. We highly recommend Ivy to other nonprofit leaders and would welcome the opportunity to work with her again.”

~ Maddie Young, President & CEO
YWCA Carlisle & Cumberland County

“Ivy Buchan was just what the Harrisburg Symphony Association needed. Her knowledge of nonprofit structure and governance, combined with her deep roots in Harrisburg make her an ideal thought partner. In one mid-scale planning session, she was able to bring our board together quickly and lead us to strategic initiatives in a thorough and enjoyable manner. Ivy and her team are exemplary, and a joy to work with and we highly recommend them.”

~ Matthew Herren, Executive Director
Harrisburg Symphony Association

Common Challenges in Strategic Planning

We will partner with you to navigate any challenges that arise during your strategic planning process. Here’s why these issues matter and how we can address them.

Lack of Stakeholder Engagement

The Why: Plans developed in isolation are less actionable and may not reflect diverse perspectives or community needs.

Solution: Conduct regular consultations, focus groups, and feedback sessions to ensure broad participation and ownership of the strategic plan.
Insufficient Data Collection and Analysis

The Why: Poor data leads to unrealistic or irrelevant goals, reducing the effectiveness of the plan.

Solution: Invest in thorough data collection methods such as SWOT/SOAR analysis, financial reviews, and stakeholder surveys to create a solid foundation for decision-making.
Unrealistic or Overly Ambitious Goals

The Why: Unrealistic expectations reduce morale and make plans difficult to implement.

Solution: Use SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to set realistic objectives that align with organizational capacity.
Lack of Flexibility

The Why: Static plans quickly become obsolete in dynamic environments, limiting an organization’s ability to respond effectively.

Solution: CBuild flexibility into the planning process by scheduling regular reviews and updates based on new information or shifts in priorities.
Resource Constraints

The Why: Limited resources result in superficial plans that do not address core challenges or opportunities.

Solution: Simplify the planning process by adopting user-friendly models tailored for resource-constrained organizations.
Generic or Non-Specific Plans

The Why: A lack of specificity leads to confusion among staff and stakeholders about how to implement the plan.

Solution: Develop detailed action steps tied directly to measurable outcomes and organizational goals.

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of foundations have no full time program staff

lower turnover among new hires at purpose-driven companies

Here are a few ways we can tailor your strategic planning deliverables:

Flexible facilitation, from a one-day retreat to a multi-session series.
Mission and/or vision refinement and exploration.
Built-in education on strategic planning, succession planning, board roles, and development resources, among others.
Concrete action items and clear committee responsibilities.
Data collection using surveys, focus groups, one-on-one interviews, or a combination of methods.
Data analysis to inform priorities and track progress.
Observation of meetings and day-to-day operations to understand culture and decision-making norms.
Benchmarking against or researching peer or aspirational organizations.
Summary report on decisions made.
Follow-up support for at least one year.

Schedule Your Free Consultation

How We Customize Our Strategic Planning Services

We understand that every nonprofit has unique needs. Our customization process includes:

A free consultation to discuss your organization's needs and how Invoke can help.
Confirming the goals for our time together.
Crafting a proposal, if needed.
Services provided at an hourly rate or through customized packages.
In-person and virtual options are available.
Check our FAQ page for more details.