Strategic Steps for Nonprofit Growth and Resilience
We must remember that it’s okay to be small, but sometimes you want to swing like a prize fighter. To make that swing, you need the strength—or in this case, the organizational capacity—to hit the target squarely. An Organizational Audit is an indispensable tool when prepping to punch above your weight, ensuring you have the necessary resources and organizational capacity to make an impact.
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3 steps to get started
- Identify Gaps and Overlaps: The goal here is to map out the existing landscape of the organization against current programmatic needs. A thorough resource audit entails a deep dive into the organization’s assets, which range from finances and available technology to the most crucial element—your team. You should meticulously examine for gaps that need bridging—be it in staffing, funding, or infrastructure—and simultaneously highlight areas of overlap where resources may be underutilized or duplicated. Pinpoint inefficiencies, streamline processes, reallocate resources, and prep for the next big project.
- Prioritize Needs Based on Strategic Goals: Evaluate your findings against the organization’s strategic plan. This ensures that any changes align with the overall vision for the organization, maintaining a broad approach to change. The prioritization of resources is a strategic exercise that balances current operational needs with aspirations for expansion. It’s about asking, “Where do we need investment to fuel growth?” The answer to this question guides how assets are allocated and where development efforts should be focused, ensuring that the organization’s strength is ready for the next opportunity.
- Consult Stakeholders: Engage your stakeholders in the conversation, including board members, staff, volunteers, and even clients. Their insights and perspectives are invaluable. Utilize surveys, meetings, or workshops as platforms for dialogue. Stakeholder input helps foster a shared understanding of priorities and challenges, ensuring collective buy-in, which will be crucial for any group looking to expand their possibilities.
Scaling for growth when you are a small but mighty organization can be an arduous process. However, by utilizing a resource audit to identify gaps and prioritize the next steps, success can be achieved by making this a group effort. With a strategic approach to utilizing a resource audit, even small organizations can prepare for significant growth, transforming challenges into stepping stones for success.