Strategic Planning Primer for Social Impact Professionals

Strategic plans are essential - and expensive. Join us for a half-day workshop that will equip you with the knowledge, tools and mindsets you need to make better decisions about how to approach strategic planning and get the best value for your investment.

• Is a strategic plan actually what you need? For example, many organizations benefit far more from completing a clear-eyed organizational assessment and capacity building roadmap over a strategic planning process that just pinpoints the obvious (you need more cash!)

• What kind of strategic planning do you want to do? The standard three-year organizational strategic plan is one option. But what about a strategic communications plan? Or using strategic planning techniques to advance equity, diversity, inclusion and access or build relationships with key funders and public policy influencers? Or perhaps you want to step into adaptive strategy processes that are a lot more flexible than traditional strategic planning.
• How much should it cost? We'll cover the range of options from back-of-the-napkin priority setting to in-house DIY strategic plans to consultant-led processes where you can expect to spend thousands of dollars (and love the results). You'll also get some tips on what to ask a consultant, what to look for in a great strategic planning process and how to find resources to pay for it all.

• Readiness checklist: You'll pay a lot less for strategic planning if you're willing to come prepared and do some of the work yourself (hint: a lot of what happens during strategic planning, like engaging with your staff, partners and community on vision and priorities, can and should be regular business in your organization)
• Strategic planning case studies: What does an amazing strategic planning process look like? And what outcomes and benefits can you expect? You'll have a chance to look under the hood at some successful strategic planning projects.
• Networking: meet other nonprofits and social impact organizations in the community and get to know a group of skilled local consultants who can answer questions and provide advice on your planning needs.

• Workshop access for up to three members of your organization. Participants can represent any level of an organization - executive leaders, Board members, program staff, administrative staff, community members with lived experience, etc
• Free coffee/tea and snacks during the workshop
• Free lunch! We’ll have a set of pre-paid vouchers on hand for neighbouring lunch spots if you’d like to treat yourself to something tasty after the session.
• Optional group networking after the session
• Access to co-working hot desks at The Dock before and after the session or a 50% group meeting room discount.

(she/her) has 20+ years of experience helping governments, cultural institutions, non-profits, funders, philanthropists and purpose-driven organizations create transformative change for the people and communities they serve. She is also a practicing visual artist and a parent of two school-aged kids.

She runs an independent creative consultancy, serving as a strategic advisor and coach to leaders in the social impact and cultural sectors locally and nationally, as well as co-producing innovative research, systems change, sector development and curatorial projects in collaboration with a network of artistic, academic and institutional partners.

She lives with gratitude on the traditional lands of the Lekwungen peoples, today known as the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

theDock: Centre for Social Impact, 100-722 Cormorant Street, Victoria, Canada