All effective advancement work, from fundraising and constituent engagement, to communications and back-of-house data systems, begins with an institution-wide, mission-centered strategic plan.
Donors don’t give to your institution as much as they give through your institution because of your mission and your future plans to make a meaningful difference in the world.
To create a longer-term plan for your institution that is useful and compelling (i.e., strategic), Gonser Gerber utilizes a form of Appreciative Inquiry that seeks to build plans based on 3 fundamental questions:
- What are we really good at? What do we do exceptionally well? What is special about our institution?
- What is the environment offering us as opportunities and ways for our institutional strengths to shine?
- What are our longer-term aspirations? What outcomes 10 or 15 years from now would we identify as being evidence that we did the right work today?
The headwaters of any rushing river of advancement success are formed by a strategic plan that encourages and guides institutional leaders, team members, donors, and volunteers to stretch their efforts today so that the institution can serve more and serve better tomorrow.
If your institution or organization is planning to move into a strategic planning process within the next 12-18 months or if you are started a strategic planning process already, I encourage you to join me online for the Gonser Gerber Institute Virtual Workshop “Strategic Planning and Advancing Your Institution,” on Thursday, September 26, 2024.
Strategic planning doesn’t have to be boring and a chore. And strategic plans don’t have to stay untouched on a bookshelf after they are completed.
True strategic planning can create positive energy and enthusiasm for your mission. True strategic planning can create an environment that supports advancement activities and goals. True strategic planning can create a plan that works for you.
Spend a day with me virtually and let’s discuss and learn together how to craft the most compelling and useful longer-term plans for your institution.
Your institution’s future, along with your donors and those you serve, will be grateful.
