The University of Iowa

Management

Information on nonprofit strategic planning, budgeting, investment, and other nonprofit management issues. For a great overview of nonprofit management, enroll in Nonprofit Organizational Effectiveness I and II. You may take these University of Iowa courses online.

Principles & Practices Citation 

IV. A. Principle–Strategic Planning

To achieve its mission and vision, a charitable nonprofit organization needs a comprehensive plan which sets forth the organizational goals with specific action steps to be taken by specific individuals.

Organizational success depends on execution of the plan.

 

Practices

  1. The board has the responsibility for adopting the strategic plan. The executive director and staff should be actively involved in the planning process with counsel from other organizational constituencies.
  2. Board and staff often resist planning because of the time and group thought required. However, if there is no group consensus on organizational direction and implementation action, the organization will be dysfunctional. An outside facilitator can help bring issues before the group in a non-threatening way.

Frequently Asked Questions about Management