Strategic planning has a significant role to play in non-profit organizations. It helps to anticipate and skillfully manage changes and effectively address problems that may arise (Poister, 2010). Bryson (2018) defines it as a set of concepts, processes, and tools for determining what an organization does and why it engages it. Habitat for Humanity is a housing non-profit organization that helps people in the world’s poorest areas overcome their ongoing lack of suitable housing (Habitat for Humanity, n.d.). Defining this organization’s strategies will help to understand its driving forces in the short and long term.
Strategies that might use to define, prioritize, and meet short-term goals of Habitat for Humanity include concepts and tools that determine what and how an organization will do over 1-4 years. These strategies include an effective system of attracting volunteers and working with local communities to build and renovate homes in poor areas. Apart from it, the strategy is to introduce a system of influence on the financing of local governments for water supply, electricity, and sanitation in dwellings. Simultaneously, the organization’s long-term goals for 15–20 years can define strategies to improve the professionalism of operations to protect and promote the public interest in decent housing and mechanisms for raising awareness of it.
To summarize, shaping strategies improve both organizational capacity and performance in the long and short term. At the same time, the goals would support flexibility in an ever-evolving world by periodically developing new tasks and updating strategic plans (Stephens & Martin, 2019). Ultimately, it will help move forward in addressing an emergency when many people are suffering from poor living conditions, making a world in which more people will have a worthy place to exist.
References
About Habitat for Humanity (n.d.). Habitat for Humanity.
Bryson, J. M. (2018). Strategic planning for public and nonprofit organizations: A guide to strengthening and sustaining organizational achievement (5th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Poister, T. (2010). The Future of Strategic Planning in the Public Sector: Linking Strategic Management and Performance. Public Administration Review, 70, 246-254.
Stephens, E. & Martin, B. (2019). Business Policy and Strategic Management [eBook edition]. Scientific e-Resources.