Strategic Planning for Non-Profit Organizations

Introduction

A strategic plan functions as a roadmap for an organisation to chart its organisational priorities, define operational goals and align resources to support the strategic planning framework. The board’s responsibility is to set the direction, steer the organisation through the strategic planning process, analyse operating costs, set budget targets and develop performance indicators to track progress and achievements. Ultimately, the strategic framework reflects the shared vision of both the organisation and the board and documents the commitment of the board members and staff to the priorities outlined in the plan.

This guide provides recommended resources on the topic of strategic planning for nonprofit organisations that are available from NLB as well as on the Internet. As the guide is not intended to be comprehensive, interested readers should search the NLB catalogue or the Internet for more resources.

Ebooks

(listed in alphabetical order)

• Johnston, R. E. & Bate, J. D. (2013). The power of strategy innovation: A new way of linking creativity and strategic planning to discover great business opportunities. New York: AMACOM Books. Available from NLB Overdrive.

The authors provide a five-phase methodology for strategic innovation that marries creativity and out-of-the-box techniques with organisational goal setting and advancement. The pragmatic framework is customisable to organisations of varying sizes and operations.

• McLaughlin, T. A. (2006). Nonprofit strategic positioning: Decide where to be, plan what to do. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons. Available from NLB Overdrive.

Targeted at nonprofit executives, board members, directors, trustees and fundraising professionals, this book provides a structured actionable plan for strategic positioning which can be tailored for nonprofits of all sizes and from different sectors.

• O’Dea, P. (2013). The business battlecard: Winning moves for growing companies. California: Oak Tree Press. Available from NLB Overdrive.

Using a five question approach, O’Dea presents insights to creating a practical roadmap that will capture customer mindshare, beat the competition and enlarge the company’s presence and value in the community.

• Sampler, J. L. (2014). Bringing strategy back: How Strategic Shock Absorbers Make Planning Relevant in a World of Constant Change. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Available from eBrary books.

With a rapidly changing and chaotic global business climate, this book eschews the traditional strategic planning formula and advocates incorporating four strategic shock absorbers in the planning process that will enable leaders to ride out unpredictable economic turmoil and triumph over adversity.

• Wittmann, R. & Reuter, M. (2013). Strategic planning: How to deliver maximum value through effective business strategy. London: Kogan Page. Available from NLB Overdrive.

This book is a useful guide on crafting and implementing successful strategies to boost company revenues and staff performance. It also covers risk management, values based management, value chain and competitive advantage and leadership skills.

Books

(listed in alphabetical order)

• Bryson, J. M. (2011). Strategic planning for public and nonprofit organizations: A guide to strengthening and sustaining organizational achievement. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Call no.: RBUS 658.4012 BRY

This comprehensive volume takes readers through the dynamics of strategic planning, which include environmental scanning for SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis, identifying organisational obstacles and adopting action plans to manage them, implementing strategies and assessing them.

• Grant, D. (2015). The social profit handbook: The essential guide to setting goals, assessing outcomes, and achieving success for mission-driven organizations. White River Junction, Vermont: Chelsea Green Publishing.

Call no.: RBUS 658.408 GRA

Targeted at nonprofit organisations and mission-based social venture businesses, Grant offers organisational development strategies to strengthen and unify organisations which will enable them to focus on improving their work processes to enrich the well-being of the community.

• Jäger, U. (2010). Managing social businesses: Mission, governance, strategy, and accountability. Houndsmill, Basingstoke, Hampshire; New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

Call no.: RBUS 658 JAG

Jäger presents a strategic decision-making framework aimed at helping nonprofits and social businesses to rationalise their social purposes with the need to optimise economic viability. Four key areas in organisational management are addressed in this book: resources, impact, leadership and motivation.

• Light, M. (2010). Results now for nonprofits: Purpose, strategy, operations, and governance. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.

Call no.: RBUS 658.4012 LIG

Light proposes a practical and comprehensive high performance strategy plan integrating the principles of management, governance and cohesion that can help nonprofits realise their mission while staying true to their organisational values. The book also focuses on accountability for measuring progress and monitoring performance to ensure that milestone successes are achievable.

• Raymond, S. U. (2013). Recession, recovery, and renewal: Long-term nonprofit strategies for rapid economic change. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.

Call no.: RBUS 658.4012 RAY

Raymond offers a survival guide that equips nonprofits in tweaking their management, leadership and governance strategies during economic uncertainties. The book also guides nonprofits on restructuring their business models to anticipate change and renewal.

• Sheehan, R. M. (2010). Mission impact: Breakthrough strategies for nonprofits. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.

Call no.: RBUS 658.048 SHE

Mission Impact provides step-by-step instructions on crafting a strategy development process that will help nonprofit organisations to deliver breakthrough performances. Sheehan calls for the nonprofit boards, staff and other stakeholders to work together in identifying mission gaps, to draw up long-range organisational goals and initiate action plans to move the organisation forward.

Websites

(listed in alphabetical order)

• Fram, E. (2015, May 3). Strategic planning: Nonprofit board orphan. Retrieved May 3, 2017, from Huffington Post website: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eugene-fram/strategic-planning-nonprofit-board-orphan_b_7199260.html

According to a 2015 survey, 35 percent of over 800 nonprofit boards scored poorly in the area of strategic development, as indicated by the absence of long-range policy plans. This article discusses the challenges faced by nonprofit boards, suggests various ways to tackle them and places the onus on the organisation’s chief executive and chairperson to make strategic planning a priority item on the board’s agendas.

• National Council of Nonprofits. (2017). Strategic planning for nonprofits. Retrieved May 3, 2017, from National Council of Nonprofits website: https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/tools-resources/strategic-planning-nonprofits

This website provides a quick overview on strategic planning for nonprofits with links to useful resources on the basics of strategic planning, including an example of a strategic plan from the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits.

• NYC Service. (2016, April). NYC Good governance blueprint: Best practices, resources, and tools for nonprofit executive directors and board members. Retrieved May 3, 2017, from NYC Nonprofits website: https://df2000001ms2meag.my.salesforce.com/sfc/p/#f2000001MS2m/a/3Z000001E1eE/AsT0V3t_0JtFTd8zTAoHBzdHX_rJcO.RgEPwJ4ZuqpQ

Section II of the report focuses on “Strategic planning and management” (pp. 11-25) and details the board’s role in strategic planning as well as the core elements of the planning process and covers performance management, results tracking and management of the organisation life cycle. Also included is a strategic plan jumpstart checklist and an internal assessment guide.

• The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO). Strategy case studies. (2017, April 7). Retrieved May 4, 2017, from NCVO Knowhow Nonprofit website: https://knowhownonprofit.org/organisation/strategy/strategy-case-studies

This website provides links to case studies of strategic planning by four nonprofit organisations in the UK — The National Council for Voluntary Organisations, King’s College London Students’ Union, Leeds University Union and Macmillan Cancer Support. The case studies highlight the process and challenges faced in creating and implementing the strategic planning framework.

Accessing National Library Board Singapore Resources

Accessing the Print Materials

You can search the library catalogue (for physical materials) in the library and from home (http://catalogue.nlb.gov.sg). The easy search function allows you to search/browse by author, title, keyword, subject and ISBN/ISSN whereas the advanced search allows you to narrow your searches to specific media types or language holdings. In both instances, you will also be able to limit your search to specific libraries by clicking on the “limit by branch” option.

To search Lee Kong Chian Reference Library’s Holdings

If you wish to search for only materials available in the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library, please always click on the “Limit by Branch” button at the bottom of the page, after you have keyed in your search term. This brings you to a new page whereby you will be able to select the library of your choice. Choose “Lee Kong Chian Reference Library” and select “yes” under the “Display only items available in the selected branch below” and then click on search.

Things to note:

Once you have identified the title that you need, please double-check the following information and write down the necessary info:

i. The “Status” of the item: the item is not available in the library, if the status displayed is “in transit”, “in process” or “not ready for loan”.

ii. Double-check that the item is in Lee Kong Chian Reference Library under “Branch”.

iii. Write down the Location Code and the Call Number of the item. This helps you to locate the item within Lee Kong Chian Reference Library. Please refer to the table below for more information (Note: Please feel free to approach the counter staff for help in locating the books.)

All featured books and periodicals are located at the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library.

Accessing the Databases

The National Library Board (NLB)’s eResources are free for all NLB members. Click here to find out how to register as a member.

If you’re having problems registering or logging in, please contact us. If you wish to find information in the databases but am not sure where to begin, or need recommendations on which databases to use, please use the “Ask A Librarian” function or send an email to ref@nlb.gov.sg for help. The librarian will get back to you within three working days.

Author

Sharon Teng

The information in this resource guide is valid as at May 2017 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history on the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

All Rights Reserved. National Library Board Singapore 2017.