Ep. 17 - Making Strategic Plans Work for Nonprofits

NonProfit Counsel Podcast

Andrea Ortega, the Founder and CEO of Palante Nonprofits, has structured her company to aid nonprofit organizations with strategic planning, offering implementation guidance and customized training programs in English and Spanish. In a conversation with May Harris, Esq., MA, Andrea will explore various topics, including transitioning grassroots nonprofits into scalable entities. Maintaining a strategic plan that is both visionary and realistic is of utmost importance. The efficacy of your nonprofit's strategy can be assessed by the data collected to support it, indicating whether your goals have been achieved. With advancements in technology, there are now tools available to assist nonprofits. AI can even aid in crafting strategic plans, while Google provides tools to keep your team updated in real time. Stay tuned for this timely and crucial information pertinent to your nonprofit endeavors.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [1:23] Andrea shares how she came to the nonprofit space and who her clients are

• [4:49] Discussion of how to scale a grassroots nonprofit

• [7:26] Andrea discussed how she begins to work with clients

• [11:27] Discussion of using AI to assist in writing a strategic plan but also knowing how to collect and use data

• [13:32] Obstacles that Andrea sees as she advises Boards and discussion of the timelines for strategic plans

• [20:49] Using Google tools is a way for a team to view the dashboard and decide what data to collect

• [24:51] Training should be a part of your organizational culture, and sharing documents and ideas with other nonprofits is beneficial

• [31:39] Andrea stresses that you should make space on your meeting agenda to cover your strategic plan, and she reminds nonprofits to have a realistic vision

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• [2:12] Professionals working in the nonprofit space generally exist because of a personal connection or passion.

• [12:22] You can create a beautiful plan to present to funders, but you also need a way, by collecting data, to measure success.

• [13:18] Staying on a mission is critical for a nonprofit to meet its goals and objectives. Nonprofits make a mistake when they stray away from its strategic plan.

RESOURCES:

For Profit Law Group - Website

Nonprofit Counsel - Website

Nonprofit Counsel - Instagram

Nonprofit Counsel - Linkedin

https://www.linkedin.com/company/palante-nonprofits-llc/

May Harris has been a pioneer of nonprofit law practice for over a decade, having founded For Purpose Law Group in April 2012. She serves the nation's nonprofit sector with unparalleled expertise, prioritizing her client's missions, visions, and values. She specializes in nonprofit & tax-exempt organizations, social enterprise & business law, and estate planning & charitable giving.

GUEST BIOGRAPHY:

Andrea Ortega, MNM, CNP, is the Founder and CEO of Palante Nonprofits, LLC, a nonprofit consulting practice specializing in strategic planning, implementation guidance, and tailored training programs in English and Spanish. With a Master's degree in Nonprofit Management from the University of Central Florida, Andrea is also pursuing her Ph.D. in Public Affairs. Previously, she was the Senior Curriculum Development Manager at Resilia, designing and curating over 200 courses and building a diverse team. Andrea has extensive experience developing curriculums and teaching in the nonprofit sector, covering public and nonprofit accounting and finance, strategic alliances, and urban affairs. Committed to the nonprofit community, she enjoys volunteering and spending time with her family. She can speak on various topics, including compliance and tech for nonprofits. Andrea is a proud #Gator, #Knight, and Colombian-American.