A Nonprofit Capacity Self-Assessment Workbook
For Rural Community-Based Housing Organizations

Permission is granted ONLY to nonprofit community-based organizations to reproduce and/or adapt this document, and only for their own use.

PHASE I.  ASSESSING STRATEGIC PLANNING CAPACITY

Strategic planning capacity is the ability of an organization:

• to define its core mission;
• to develop long-range goals to accomplish its mission;
• to establish planning bodies to regularly revisit its mission, goals and policies; and
• to institute written policies to maintain organizational continuity over time.

The strategic planning process is at the core of all your organization's activities, and the mission of your organization is at the core of the planning process. Remember, your mission is the grounding for all your organization's activities. All of your organization's strategies, goals, budgeting and staffing must ultimately help to promote your organization's mission. If your mission is unfocused, so will be your organization.

Figure 1. The Strategic Planning Process

Step One:

Gather the following materials from your organization's files.

• Articles of Incorporation
• Certificate of Incorporation
• Organizational By-Laws
• IRS 501(c)(3) Certification of Nonprofit Status

Step Two:

Meet with your executive director, chief financial officer (CFO), housing director, and board chair, and (using the materials above) complete the following worksheets.

On To Worksheet 2