The Who, What, When, Where, and Why of Visioning and Strategic Planning
When you are ready to embrace a bold vision that can set the stage for transformative change for your organization, you need a strategic plan that can provide the framework to turn aspirations into action.
Let’s explore the who, what, when, where, and why of visioning and strategic planning—and how they pave the way for impactful fundraising.
Who: Engaging Stakeholders to Shape the Vision
A shared vision is the product of collaboration among those who will:
Own the vision
Implement the vision
Benefit from the vision
Influence the vision
Fund the vision
Each of these stakeholder groups brings unique perspectives that ensure the vision resonates broadly. Engaging these groups fosters ownership, alignment, and momentum toward a common goal.
What: Crafting a Roadmap for Success
A bold vision outlines where your organization wants to go, while a strategic plan maps out how to get there. The strategic planning process bridges the gap between current realities and future aspirations, ensuring that goals are actionable and achievable.
When: Now is the Perfect Time
The beginning of the year is a natural time to reflect on your organization’s mission and aspirations. For donors, January and February are prime times to engage with bold plans, as many are setting their own philanthropic priorities for the year.
Where: Engaging Your Community in Meaningful and Innovative Ways
Visioning and strategic planning must be rooted in the unique needs and opportunities of your community. One-on-one conversations, focus groups, surveys, and listening sessions help gather insights from those you serve and collaborate with. This ensures that the resulting vision is not only aspirational but also deeply connected to the realities of your organization’s environment.
Why: Bold Vision Inspires Brave Investments
At its heart, fundraising follows vision. Donors are drawn to organizations with big dreams and clear plans to achieve them. A compelling vision demonstrates where the organization is headed, while a strategic plan provides the structure to make that vision a reality. Together, they inspire donors to invest at a higher level, knowing their contributions will drive meaningful, lasting impact.
The Big Impact: Turning Plans into Reality
Bold visions demand brave investments, and those investments lead to big impact. By embracing the who, what, when, where, and why of visioning and strategic planning, nonprofits set themselves up for growth and success in 2025.