Mission + Strategy

On Wednesday, March 5, we were excited to be a part of "Nonprofit Networking: Models of Sustained Collaboration," in partnership with Vernon Area Public Library, GiveNKind, and The Lake County Community Foundation. Our session on “Models of Sustained Collaboration” was a powerful conversation! With about 50 nonprofit leaders in the room, the energy, engagement, and insightful questions confirmed that collaboration is a hot topic in our sector. They participated in a great discussion on how to strengthen collaborative skills and a powerful reminder that joy fosters creativity and connection. Key takeaways for those in attendance included: ?? Strategic partnerships can be proactive, not just reactive ??Sustained collaboration helps organizations manage challenges, maximize resources, and drive impact ??Common barriers—trust, communication, and capacity—can be planned for and overcome ??Collaboration is a spectrum—from knowledge-sharing to full mergers, there are many ways to work together ??Abundance over scarcity—building a collaborative culture starts with mindset One challenge for you: What’s one action you’ll take to build your collaborative muscle? Thanks to everyone who joined! #collaboration #strategicpartnership #nonprofitleadership

Have you found yourself at a standstill as you navigate collaboration challenges for your nonprofit? We recently shared five challenges that nonprofit leaders face when leading collaboration at their organization. By addressing resource allocation, leadership dynamics, cultural differences, communication barriers, and sustainability, nonprofit leaders can build resilient and impactful partnerships that drive positive change. Here are 5 strategies that will help you overcome the collaboration challenges you may be faced with: 1?? Establishing Clear Agreements: Formal agreements outlining roles, responsibilities, resource allocation, and decision-making processes can prevent misunderstandings and conflicts. 2?? Building Strong Relationships: Investing time in building strong relationships among leaders and staff from collaborating organizations fosters trust and cooperation. Regular team-building activities and joint training sessions can strengthen these bonds. 3?? Fostering a Learning Culture: Encouraging a culture of continuous learning and improvement helps organizations adapt to challenges and leverage new opportunities. Regular reflection and feedback sessions can support this culture. 4?? Leveraging Technology: Utilizing technology for communication, project management, and data sharing can enhance collaboration efficiency. Tools like video conferencing, collaborative platforms, and shared databases are invaluable. 5?? Prioritizing Impact: Keeping the focus on the shared mission and desired impact helps align efforts and maintain motivation. Regularly revisiting the goals and celebrating successes can reinforce the partnership's purpose. Navigating the challenges of nonprofit collaboration requires strategic planning, strong leadership, and a commitment to continuous improvement. We’re committed to help you navigate those challenges. If you find yourself at a standstill, unsure of what next steps to take, let’s connect! #nonprofitleadership #collaborationstrategies #missionimpact

While collaboration offers numerous benefits, it also presents unique challenges that nonprofit leaders must navigate. What are some of the most common challenges? Today we’re sharing part 1 of our 2-part series to help you navigate challenges in nonprofit collaboration. Here are five of the most common challenges we see nonprofit leaders face and how to to help you navigate those challenges: 1?? Resource Allocation: Balancing resources between collaborating organizations can be challenging. Ensuring equitable distribution of funds, staff, and other resources requires careful planning and negotiation. 2?? Leadership Dynamics: Shared leadership models can lead to power struggles and conflicts if roles and responsibilities are not clearly defined. Establishing clear governance structures and decision-making processes is essential. 3?? Cultural Differences: Differences in organizational culture, values, and practices can create friction. Building a shared vision and fostering mutual respect are key to overcoming cultural barriers. 4?? Communication Barriers: Effective communication is critical for collaboration, but it can be hindered by differences in communication styles, lack of transparency, and geographical distances. Implementing robust communication strategies and tools can help bridge these gaps. 5?? Sustainability: Ensuring the long-term sustainability of collaborative efforts requires ongoing commitment and adaptability. Regular evaluation and adjustment of strategies are necessary to address changing circumstances and emerging challenges. Are you facing challenges in your collaboration? Be sure to check back later this week as we share part 2; strategies for overcoming these collaboration challenges. See you then! #nonprofitcollaboration #collaborationchallenges #nonprofitleadership

What if you could streamline operations, reduce costs, and refocus your energy on your mission? Shared back office services make this possible. By collaborating on essential administrative functions, nonprofits can increase efficiency while ensuring financial sustainability. In our latest blog, "5 Powerful Benefits of Shared Back Office Services for Nonprofits," we dive into how this strategy can help your organization: → Reduce overhead costs → Improve operational efficiency → Enhance compliance & risk management → Strengthen financial sustainability → Free up staff time for mission-focused work Does your organization use shared back office services? Read the full blog post and discover how you can leverage these benefits for your nonprofit: https://lnkd.in/gC2rve_T #NonprofitLeadership #SharedServices #MissionDriven #OperationalExcellence #NonprofitEfficiency

Join Mission + Strategy Chief Collaborations Officer, Judie Caribeaux, MA, LCSW, on Thursday, March 20 at 8:30 am, as she leads this installment of West Suburban Philanthropic Network’s monthly speaker series on strengthening organizational culture. A culture of philanthropy is key to growing support for your mission. During this program, you will hear how other nonprofits lifted up the importance of fundraising across their organization, how they encouraged non-fundraising staff to participate in philanthropy and how they grew the Board's role in raising mission critical funds. Seats remain for this virtual discussion. Register at the link here: https://lnkd.in/gZVsRVaq We hope to see you there! #Nonprofitleadership #organizationalculture #nonprofits

As nonprofit leaders, we are stewards of community assets. The organizations we serve do not belong to us—they belong to the communities we support. With that responsibility comes the imperative to set a collective vision with clear goals for how to achieve it. Clear goals not only provide direction and motivate team members, they also serve as a benchmark for measure progress. In today’s article, “Empowering Nonprofit Teams Through Effective Goal Setting”, we outline the critical nature of setting clear and achievable goals for the success of your nonprofit organization. Is your organization’s vision in alignment with clear goals? #GoalSetting #NonprofitTeams #NonprofitLeadership

Celebrating the women who lead, inspire, and drive change! On International Women’s Day, we honor the incredible women shaping the nonprofit sector—including the remarkable leaders at Mission + Strategy. Judie, Samantha, Rebecca, and Donna—your dedication, expertise, and passion fuel the change we seek. Your leadership strengthens communities, drives impact, and inspires those around you every day. Today, join us as we celebrate all the women making a difference, breaking barriers, and leading with purpose. Here’s to the women who are making history—every day! #InternationalWomensDay #WomenInLeadership #NonprofitWomen #WomensHistoryMonth

Join Mission + Strategy for a transformative workshop on collaborative leadership! Nonprofit leadership thrives on collaboration, but building strong, trust-driven relationships between Senior Leadership Teams and Boards of Directors takes intentional strategy. On Wednesday, March 19, join Judie Caribeaux, MA, LCSW and Greg Petersen as part of the Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management’s Spring Webinar Series for an engaging, interactive session. “The Power of Collaborative Leadership in Nonprofits: Strengthening the Senior Leadership and Board Relationship” workshop will cover: ? Strengthening collaboration through open communication and shared decision-making ? Integrating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) into leadership practices ? Identifying personal leadership strengths through self-assessment ? Developing actionable strategies to build more effective, inclusive teams If you’re an Executive Director, Finance Officer, Management Staff, or Board Members looking to enhance leadership effectiveness and foster an inclusive, high-performing organizational culture, this workshop is for you. You can learn more at our website and register to be part of this insightful discussion! https://lnkd.in/g3KwHK9Q #NonprofitLeadership #Collaboration #StrategicLeadership #NonprofitBoards #LeadershipDevelopment #MissionDriven

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! At Mission + Strategy, we are proud to stand alongside the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) in recognizing and celebrating the contributions, strengths, and potential of individuals with developmental disabilities. This month is about more than awareness—it’s about action and inclusion. It’s a call to work together to remove barriers, create opportunities, and build communities where every individual is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. Together, let’s create a more inclusive and equitable future! #DevelopmentalDisabilitiesAwareness #InclusionMatters #EquityForAll

We’re thrilled to share this testimonial from our client, because it truly captures the essence of what we do. “Mission + Strategy’s ability to guide meaningful discussions while fostering a sense of belonging and shared purpose was exceptional. We have hired the team again to help with Strategic Planning and then we will do Succession Planning. Working with Judie has been invaluable.” Thank you to Impact Behavioral Health Partners for your kind words and the continued partnership. As a nonprofit for nonprofits, we understand the unique challenges you face—and our collaborative approach is designed to help you achieve alignment between your mission and business strategies. We invite you to check out our new website to learn more about how we’re igniting community transformation through collaboration and helping organizations like yours thrive: https://lnkd.in/gQFgE_Ue #NonprofitLeadership #MissionDriven #Collaboration #StrategicPlanning #CommunityImpact