This primer introduces you to the wide world of foundation strategic planning. You’ll discover why funders engage in strategic planning, get an overview of the strategic planning process, and hear what other funders say are lessons they learned from developing and implementing a strategic plan.

An effective strategic plan provides a touchstone for foundations as they navigate an ever-changing world. As one funder put it, “A good strategic plan forces the organization to challenge itself to improve. Any organization can benefit from the mindset of seeking continual learning and constant improvement.”