Purpose:

In this exercise, you will practice the analysis and strategy formulation portions of the strategic management process for a non-profit organization. You will analyze your organizational stakeholders, develop a mission and vision, and consider a strategic initiative.

Getting Started:

You have been asked to assist a local community non-profit organization with the development of a strategic plan. The organization has been operating for a few years supported by individual donors who are passionate about the mission and respect the founder. Most of the work of the organization has been done by volunteers and two full-time employees. The founder/executive director is ready to take it to the next level, and there has been a request to extend their work for a greater impact. They believe there may be funding sources to support growth. The founder realizes that it is time to reexamine the organization's vision, mission, and strategic initiatives. The founder and Board of Directors want to be sure they've identified all of their stakeholders and developed plans to satisfy their needs and create value for them.

The purpose of this exercise is to help the non-profit by outlining the foundation for their strategic planning process.

Activity Steps:

Step 1: Mission & Vision: Name and describe your non-profit. Decide what sector your non-profit will operate in. Choose one of the following:

• At-risk Youth (school drop outs, need remedial school help, etc.)
• Arts (art gallery, dance school, music camp, etc.)
• Adults in Need (elder care, meals on wheels, etc.)
• Animals/Pets (humane association, hospice dogs, etc.)
• Environmental Sustainability (recycling, energy awareness, etc.)

Step 2: Create a vision and a mission statement for your non-profit organization.

Step 3: Stakeholders: Identify the non-profit's stakeholders. For each stakeholder, classify the group in the context of capital, product market, and organizational stakeholders.

Step 4: Define how each stakeholder category would define "growth" or "taking it to the next level."

Step 5: Consider how to earn the support of each stakeholder group. For each group, describe what the stakeholder requires to be minimally satisfied. Also, describe the circumstances by which the non-profit would lose the support of that stakeholder.

Step 6: Prioritize the stakeholders. Which of the stakeholders is critical for the non-profit to fulfill its mission and work toward its vision? If the stakeholders came into conflict, which stakeholder must you satisfy to sustain the non-profit?

Step 7: Strategic Initiative: Suggest a strategic initiative for the non-profit that would support the original objective to grow and expand the organization's reach. It could be connected to fundraising, introduction of a new program or spreading awareness of the non-profit in the community. After you've described your initiative, analyze it in the context of your stakeholders. Will it be supported? Identify any possible negative reactions and explain how you might mitigate stakeholder resistance to the strategic initiative.

Now that you have reviewed the above information, answer the following questions: Develop a mission and vision. Identify stakeholders and their wants in this situation. Suggest a strategic initiative.