More Work, Less Money? Why Strategic Plans and Program Evaluations Matter More Than Ever

If you lead a non-profit, you’re likely feeling the crunch. You may have seen Carleton University’s Charity Insights Canada Project (CICP) At a Tipping Point report detailing what we’re all seeing: demand rising, donations down, and teams stretched thin.

More than half of Canadian charities are concerned about their financial future. Costs are up, but funding hasn't kept pace. Sixty-eight percent say unrestricted funding would help the most, but the majority can’t access it. It’s a hard moment.

How can strategic planning help?

Planning isn’t just about vision. It’s a way to take control.

A strong plan helps you:

• Align resources with your mission

• Make smart trade-offs when funding is tight

• Anticipate challenges and develop backup plans

• Show funders you're thinking long term

A clear, forward-looking strategy can help turn these efforts into action.

What about program evaluation?

Sustainable funding means you need to show your impact, and evaluation helps you do that.

By collecting the right data, you can:

• Tell a compelling story about your outcomes

• Demonstrate value to funders and partners

• Improve your services based on real feedback

• Make the case for flexible, multi-year funding

Funders want to see what works. When you can show them how your work changes lives (and not just how many meals you served) you’re in a stronger position to negotiate the support you need.

What we’re trying to say is, you can use planning and evaluation to unlock resources and relieve pressure.

Here’s how to start:

• Build evaluation into your programs from the beginning

• Share impact data with your board and funders regularly

• Revisit your strategic plan annually to adapt as needed

• Advocate for core funding using clear, credible evidence

The challenges are not going to go away on their own. But by investing in strategy and evidence, non-profits can build a stronger case for support and steer their organizations toward a more sustainable future.

Your mission matters. Let’s make sure it has the funding, focus, and impact to keep going strong. Talk to us about how Leading4impact can help you get started.

Pssst, while you’re here: be on the lookout for a half-day workshop this fall all about being a learning organization and why it matters for your long-term impact.

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