Every community-oriented organization balances vision, mission, impact, and growth. In a world with volatile shifts in culture, economy, and opportunity, many community organizations feel the ebb and flow of the volatility more than other companies. Whether you have a non-profit org, an NGO, a faith-based org, or a community service org, growth can provide opportunities to make a more significant impact, but it can also present a potential dilemma as a value shift can accompany it. Being a guardian of vision is a typical role of a board member or trustee, but as you look toward sustainability in your organization, there are more practical measures that you have to focus your attention on.

Anchoring your values is an intentional practice in crafting a strategic plan, building a solid succession model for board or executive transition, and undertaking any long-term or institutional giving campaign. One of the biggest struggles, primarily in organizations that rely heavily on development, fundraising, or donation, is serving the mission without slowly losing the values that are the DNA of the community. Whether it’s a big donor, a dynamic personality, a charismatic leader, or a rising shift in opinion, staying centered on your mission can be challenging.

In the Strategic Advancement Workshop, we walk through many of the solutions to the pitfalls of multi-tiered development engagements; working with boards of directors, trustees, executives, and advisors, as well as harnessing the power of your values while navigating the growing (or shrinking) that your community is experiencing. You might be growing with a capital campaign or just have come off an awareness push. Perhaps you have an influx of capital or oversight looking to steer your organization to make new impacts or loftier goals. The growth of your organization shouldn’t change the vision that resonated with your community or directs the impact you make at the heart of your mission. We help you keep the main thing central, focusing your next steps while giving you avenues to lead the community impact that grows with the vision rather than on an adjacent path.