In 2010, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation faced the challenge of ensuring that the nonprofit organizations they supported through grants were effectively positioned for sustainability and long-term impact. The foundation recognized that many of these organizations struggled with leadership, financial management, and the ability to measure performance, which posed risks to their long-term viability. To address these challenges, the Kauffman Foundation sought a comprehensive strategic planning and assessment initiative to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of these organizations.

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a leading philanthropic organization dedicated to fostering education and entrepreneurship. As part of its mission, the foundation supports a variety of nonprofit organizations that work in education, youth development, and community building. In 2010, the foundation engaged Symphonic Strategies to conduct a strategic assessment and planning initiative for several of its grantee organizations, with the goal of identifying areas of improvement and providing actionable recommendations to enhance their sustainability and impact.

Symphonic Strategies was tasked with conducting a thorough strategic assessment of each participating organization, followed by the development of tailored strategic plans. Our approach involved a combination of onsite visits, stakeholder interviews, organizational capacity assessments, and the creation of tools to support strategic decision-making. The process was designed to address both the immediate challenges and the long-term strategic needs of the organizations.

The initiative was conducted over several months and included the following key phases:

1. Pre-Planning and Initial Assessment: We began by meeting with the executive directors of each organization to understand their specific challenges and needs. This phase included administering the Symphonic Organizational Capacity Survey to identify strengths and weaknesses across various functional areas, such as financial management, leadership, and program delivery.

2. Onsite Visits and Stakeholder Engagement: Our team conducted onsite visits to gather in-depth information about each organization’s operations, leadership, and strategic challenges. These visits included interviews with staff, board members, and other stakeholders, as well as reviews of internal documents such as financial statements and program reports.

3. SWOT Analysis and Strategic Planning: Based on the information gathered, we conducted a SWOT analysis for each organization to identify their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This analysis formed the basis for developing comprehensive strategic assessments that provided clear directives, timelines, and metrics for achieving key objectives.

4. Development of Strategic Tools: To support the implementation of the strategic plans, we developed various tools, including budget calculators, performance dashboards, and strategic roadmaps. These tools were designed to help organizations better manage their resources, track progress, and make informed decisions.

5. Final Presentation and Implementation Support: We presented our strategic assessments and recommendations to the executive directors and, in some cases, their boards of directors. This phase included providing coaching and support on how to communicate and implement the strategic plans effectively within their organizations.

The strategic planning and assessment initiative led to several significant outcomes for the participating organizations:

- Improved Leadership and Management: The initiative highlighted the critical role of leadership in organizational sustainability. As a result, the foundation provided coaching stipends and access to professional development opportunities for leaders of promising programs. This support helped strengthen the leadership capabilities of these organizations, ensuring they were better equipped to manage challenges and drive long-term success.

- Enhanced Financial Management: The strategic assessments identified key areas where organizations needed to improve their financial planning and management. With the tools and guidance provided by Symphonic Strategies, these organizations were able to develop more detailed and realistic financial plans, diversify their funding streams, and improve their overall financial stability.

- Increased Focus on Performance Measurement: The initiative emphasized the importance of using metrics to drive decision-making and accountability. By implementing shared dashboards and performance indicators, organizations were better able to track their progress, identify red flags early, and make data-driven adjustments to their strategies.

The success of this strategic planning and assessment initiative was driven by a tailored and collaborative approach that addressed the unique challenges of each organization. By providing clear guidance, practical tools, and ongoing support, Symphonic Strategies helped these organizations build stronger foundations for long-term sustainability and impact.

Is your organization ready to enhance its strategic planning and capacity for long-term success? Contact Symphonic Strategies today to learn how our expert consulting services can help you achieve your goals.