Board Development

"Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other."
- John F. Kennedy

As the governing body of your organization, the Board of Directors should focus on big-picture strategy, oversight, and accountability. Incorporating Board Development will ensure your Board is functioning at the highest level.

A well-rounded board development approach will include:

  • Defining the skills needed at the board level to advance the organization and create job descriptions

  • Conducting a skills audit for existing board members and outline a plan to fill any gaps

  • Creating a strong on-boarding process that includes annual refreshers

  • Ensuring the Board is focused on governance and advising; set strategic direction, hire Executive Director to manage day-to-day, oversee management, finances, build community relationships, establish ethical standards, values, and compliance.

  • Assessing your board’s overall performance annually as well as the performance of individual board members

With the proper training and resources, Directors are empowered to become effective leaders that act as passionate advocates for your organization.

Development and Fundraising

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.”
- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

A development plan outlines your fundraising and marketing strategies for the year. It provides a strategy for your team and leadership to follow, saving you time and resources.

Elements of a Development Plan can include:

  • Foundation Documents: Mission, Vision, Objectives, Strategic Plan, Program Descriptions and Evaluation Metrics, Case Statement, Budget

  • Fundraising Components: Individual Giving, Major Gifs, Corporate Giving, Foundation / Grants, Special Events, Planned Giving, Donor Cultivation, Database Analysis, and Fundraising Metrics to Track

  • Marketing and Communication Strategy: Gather data, Create Brand Summary, Define Target Audience, Research Current Trends / Perform SWOT Analysis, Outline Marketing Strategy, List Materials to Create and Channels to use, Develop Content Calendar, Identify KPIs to track

  • Opportunities for Volunteer Engagement

Strategic Planning

“If you don’t try to create the future you want, you must endure the future you get.”
- John C. Maxwell

A Strategic Plan clarifies your organization’s mission, vision, and goals. It provides the necessary road map for critical decision making which allows the organization to function from an intentional place instead of a reactive one.

There is no one-size fits all model in strategic planning. Plans can be customized based on your organizations size and goals. Additionally, plans may vary from static to living documents that need to be updated more frequently to adapt to the changing climate that your non-profit operates.