Strategic Planning and Board Training Mini Sessions

Strategic planning can sometimes feel like just one more thing on an already full plate. But it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right approach, planning can be focused, energizing, and an opportunity to bring your board and staff together around shared priorities.

Now is the perfect moment to combine strategic reflection with meaningful board engagement and training. At Nisenson Consulting, we offer streamlined planning and capacity-building sessions that help organizations clarify direction, strengthen governance alignment, and build confidence for the year ahead all in just one to two days. Pricing for sessions range from $2,500 - $3,500 depending on length.

1. Mini-Strategy Retreat: Setting Priorities in a Day

Help leaders clarify 2–3 high-level priorities and near-term decisions without getting lost in a months-long process.

Nonprofit leaders are busier than ever. This one-day retreat helps executive teams and boards cut through the noise to identify the two or three priorities that matter most right now. Through guided discussion, data-informed reflection, and facilitated decision-making, participants will leave with a concise “mini strategic plan”, a clear set of priorities, success measures, and next steps that align the team for the next 12–18 months.

Duration: 1 day (in-person or virtual)
Audience: Executive leaders and board chairs

Program Highlights:

• Morning: “State of the Organization” snapshot — facilitated discussion on current conditions, opportunities, and threats.

• Midday Workshop: Identify 1–2 critical strategic questions that will guide the next 12–18 months (e.g., funding stability, audience engagement, leadership transitions).

• Afternoon: Draft a simple “Mini Strategic Plan” — short statement of goals, success measures, and next steps.

• Deliverable: 2-page summary of top priorities, rationale, and accountability checkpoints.

Outcome: Leaders leave with clarity and alignment, ready to communicate a focused direction to staff and board.

2. Stabilization and Growth Planning

For organizations facing uncertainty or funding disruptions, a compact “stabilization planning” session focused on resilience and adaptability.

Nonprofit leaders are busier than ever. This one-day retreat helps executive teams and boards cut through the noise to identify the two or three priorities that matter most right now. Through guided discussion, data-informed reflection, and facilitated decision-making, participants will leave with a concise “mini strategic plan” — a clear set of priorities, success measures, and next steps that align the team for the next 12–18 months.

Duration: 1–2 days (or two half-days)
Audience: Leadership teams and mid-level managers

Program Highlights:

• Rapid financial health and risk assessment

• Scenario planning exercise (best case, expected, and stress case)

• Decision-mapping: identifying what must stay stable, what can adapt, and what can pause

• Prioritization of 3–5 immediate actions for operational and programmatic stability

• Optional add-on: develop a 6–12 month action plan with responsibilities and success metrics

Deliverable: A concise Stabilization & Growth Plan that sets direction without overburdening the team.

Outcome: A short-term, actionable roadmap that builds organizational confidence and resilience during volatile periods.

3. From Plan to Action: Strategic Implementation Sprint

Convert an existing strategic plan into a living, actionable framework with accountability.

Too many strategic plans sit on a shelf. This one- to two-day working session helps organizations translate vision into daily execution. Together, we’ll review your current strategic goals, define measurable annual objectives, and build an Implementation Dashboard that links strategy to operations and budgets. The process ensures accountability across teams and sets up a practical system for tracking progress and learning from results.

Duration: 1–2 days (or spread across a few existing staff meetings)
Audience: Department heads, frontline managers, cross-functional teams

Program Highlights:

• Review the organization’s current strategic or mini plan

• Identify top 3 organizational goals and define concrete annual objectives for each

• Build an Implementation Dashboard linking goals to budget and timelines

• Clarify ownership and accountability across teams

• Establish a system for quarterly progress reviews and learning loops

Deliverable: A functional implementation map (dashboard or work plan template).

Outcome: The strategic plan moves from paper to practice with clear ownership and measurable progress.

The Fundraising Resilience Mini-Series

Designed for nonprofit boards and leadership teams navigating economic uncertainty, this two-part series builds confidence, alignment, and practical tools for sustaining fundraising momentum when times are tough. Organizations may choose one or both sessions. The sessions range from $2,500-$3,500. They can be bundled together in the Toolkit Bundle: Full Resilience Package which Includes both sessions, a pre-session survey and consultation, and an optional 60-minute follow-up coaching call for one price.

Session 2: Flexible Fundraising, Building a Resilient Development Plan

Develop a nimble fundraising plan that adapts to shifting conditions. Highlights: Funding mix and risk review, Scenario mapping, Setting 3–4 flexible priorities and “pivot triggers”, Creating a 6–12 month Adaptive Fundraising Framework.

Format: 1 day or two 2-hour virtual sessions
Audience: Executive directors, development staff, fundraising committee chairs, and interested board members
Outcome: A clear, proactive approach that reinforces leadership and funder confidence.
Deliverable: One-page Adaptive Fundraising Framework