Short-term success cannot be maintained without long-term planning

Charitable organizations are well acquainted with the do-more with-less philosophy. In fact, some are quite skilled at stretching budgetary dollars to accomplish their goals without sacrificing quality, service or organizational growth.

However, these organizations are a rarity in the nonprofit arena. As more nonprofit groups vie for the same shrinking pot of money, an organization’s focus can shift from long-term planning and strategic development to crisis management and agency sustainability. Unfortunately, the crisis management approach leads to inefficient organizational structures and hinders the agency’s long-term growth.

Many nonprofit managers, directors and board members think that long-term planning and strategic development are organizational luxuries reserved for the largest charities with the biggest budgets. The problem with this thinking is that it discounts the long, hard road taken by some nonprofit leaders who work diligently to build an organization that will thrive beyond their reign. Nonprofit leaders who want to build flourishing organizations that thrive in the long term must understand that short-term success or growth is hard to maintain without sufficient organizational structures in place. Without organizational structures, such as long-term strategic planning, biannual goal setting and overall performance evaluation, growth quickly becomes more of a problem than a success.

Strategic planning, goal setting and performance evaluations fall under the umbrella of organizational development. This process brings the agency’s stakeholders to the table to participate in a series of discussions around the vision, mission, purpose and values adopted by the organization. From these discussions, the agency’s stakeholders determine how best to meet the challenges and capitalize on the opportunities facing the agency. At the end of the planning sessions, the agency should have a succinct document that outlines where it is going over the next several years and how it will get there. From this, the organization’s leaders can begin to plot a course for growth with action steps and deadlines for achieving each of their predetermined goals.

Developing an effective organizational structure is not quick nor is it easy, but it is beneficial when done correctly. The structure and direction an agency receives from this process is invaluable as the organization considers partnership or funding opportunities. It also provides a benchmark for evaluating the effectiveness of the agency in meeting its goals.

Trying to grow any organization – nonprofit or for-profit – without proper planning and strategic development is like driving from New York City to California without a road map. You know where you want to go, but you’re not sure how to get there; and you’re completely unprepared for even the slightest detour.

Nonprofit leaders must adopt more of a tactical mind-set if they want to see growth and effects in the long term. A tactical mind-set makes long-term strategic planning, coherent goal setting and candid performance evaluations a priority because together they form a strong strategic foundation upon which any business can grow.