Nonprofit Strategy for Strategic Planning Haters
You announce that it’s time for nonprofit strategic planning, and suddenly—resistance.
Eye rolls. Moans. Maybe even a board member saying, ‘I hate strategic planning.’
Or the resistance might come from you—thinking, ‘We have to do it. A funder requires it. The old plan is done, and it’s a waste.’
If that sounds familiar, you might be surprised to know that as someone who helps nonprofits create dynamic nonprofit strategies, I might agree with some of that resistance.
The truth is, the resistance can be valid.
It often depends on what you expect and what you truly mean by ‘strategic planning.’
When your organization faces this pushback, what you need is a strategy to get clear on the process.
That’s where my three-step process comes in to help you move from resistance to engagement.
Your Strategic Planning Guide Resource: Nonprofit Strategic Planning 101
Here’s the video content of Strategy for Strategic Planning Hater, refined for easy reading.
So, you’ve announced that it’s time for strategic planning, and—bam—resistance hits. Maybe a board member rolls their eyes or even says, “I hate strategic planning!”
Or maybe the resistance is coming from you. You’re thinking, “We have to do it because a funder requires it,” or “It’s time. The old plan is done, and it’s just sitting there.”
If this sounds familiar, you might be surprised to hear that I agree with some of the concerns. The resistance could be completely valid—it all depends on what you expect and how you define strategic planning.
When resistance arises, what you really need is clarity on what strategic planning means and how it can work for you. I’ve developed a simple 3-step process that can help you move past the resistance and into action.
Step 1 to Solving Nonprofit Strategic Planning Resistance: Define What You Mean by Strategic Planning
The first step is getting clear on the term strategic planning. A conversation I had with Laura Way from Arts Greensboro really brought this home. She told me, “I don’t believe in strategic planning.” I responded, “Well, maybe I don’t either—tell me what you mean.”
What I often hear from people is one of three things:
-
The Process – “I’ve been there, done that. It was boring and didn’t lead to anything.” Maybe they’ve been through a long, drawn-out process that didn’t feel helpful.
-
The Document – “Oh, you mean we’re going to create a beautiful document that will just collect dust?” They’re thinking about all the hours spent creating a plan that’s outdated as soon as it’s finished.
-
The Strategy – “We know we need a strategy, but we’re skeptical it’ll ever get us anywhere.” This one is often rooted in the belief that nonprofits rarely see strategies actually bring about change.
The key here is recognizing that a good strategy combines all three: a process that is engaging and practical, a document that reflects the strategy, and a clear roadmap that you can start implementing right away.
Step 2 to Solving Nonprofit Strategic Planning Resistance: Do You Really Need a Strategic Plan Right Now?
Before diving in, ask yourself: do you truly need a strategic plan at this point? Many organizations don’t. Maybe you just need some time to reflect on your direction, decide what to keep or eliminate, or evaluate your progress. If that’s the case, updating your existing strategy could be enough.
But if you feel like your organization is stuck—constantly putting out fires, unable to solve key questions, or dealing with major directional disagreements—it might be time for a new strategy. That’s when the conversation around strategic planning becomes incredibly valuable. Even if you’re the one resisting, it’s worth having a deeper discussion about the need for clarity and alignment.
Step 3 to Solving Nonprofit Strategic Planning Resistance: Crafting a Strategic Plan That Works
Once you decide that a strategic plan is needed, the next step is simple: what’s going to make this plan effective? Think about these three key elements:
-
What will success look like? Define what success means for your organization.
-
What do we need in the process? Identify the steps and resources that will get you there.
-
What questions do we need to explore? Make sure you’re asking the right questions to guide your decisions.
These three questions will help you create a clear path forward, even for strategic planning skeptics. By the time you finish, your plan will not only move your organization forward but also turn those initial critics into believers.
Next Steps
If you’re facing resistance to strategic planning, share this video with the skeptics in your organization. Start a conversation around these three steps and see where it leads.
If you need more help with nonprofit strategic planning, be sure to check out my guide: Nonprofit Strategic Planning 101: Your Guide.
You can also stay connected and get regular strategic insights by subscribing to Karen’s CEO Solutions newsletter.
