From budget cuts and staffing shortages on the one hand to increased demands for services on the other, it’s not easy being a non-profit organization (often described as “social-profit organizations” a descriptive we prefer). At IPI, our goal is to 
strengthen your organization’s impact while making it more effective and sustainable. We bring a refreshingly new approach to understanding, planning and implementing positive change swiftly and with measurable, socially responsible, bottom-line results.
We know you are passionate about your cause. But how do you turn that passion, commitment, enthusiasm and investment into a meaningful strategy? How do you engage your board members, donors, staff and other key stakeholders in a way that puts their passion to work? How do you deal with increasing complexity in your sector? How do you build coalitions and partnerships that will sustain you and allow you to achieve more with less?
At IPI, we can help you engage people, build alliances and develop relationships that will sustain your organization. We can assist in aligning your vision, values and passion with your mission, strategic goals and a concrete—and accountable—action plan.
And we can get started today! Contact us to learn how IPI can help you identify and capitalize on your strengths, ensure employee engagement and create ownership of the results.
Some of our clients in the non-profit sector include:
|
- American Management Association
- American Red Cross
- American Society for Quality
- Athletics Canada
- Blackbaud
- Cancer Research & Prevention Foundation
- Canada Foundation for Innovation
- DC Sustainable Business Network
|
- Hoop Dreams
- Lutheran World Relief
- Neighborhood Centers Inc.
- Points of Light Foundation
- Sierra Club
- Social Venture Partners of Rhode Island
- Unity Church
- United Way
- YWCA and YMCA
|
|
 |
Read our success stories or learn about other areas in which we’ve worked:
EcoLogic Development Fund
Challenge
Develop a strategic plan for the EcoLogic Development Fund.
Solution
IPI supported the EcoLogic Development Fund in the design and facilitation of a collaborative, strength-based strategic planning effort that brought together headquarter and field staff, board members and community partners from the U.S. and Central America.
Results
The result was a five-year strategic plan for implementing the charity’s goals of improving local capacity building, resource management, water conservation and carbon reduction in Central America.
Neighborhood Centers Inc.
Challenge
Neighborhood Centers Inc. (NCI) is a community-development and social-services agency serving greater Houston, Texas. Some refer to it as the “modern-day Ellis Island” of the U.S. While the faces of this city are become increasingly multicultural, its institutional structures—from state and local government, to workforce- and economic- development agencies, to schools and spiritual centers—have to work hard to catch up. This changes not only the structures that support and enable Houston neighborhoods, but also the ways the diverse constituents themselves come together to collaboratively do more [with less].
Solution
Since July 2007, IPI has been supporting NCI in the design and delivery of the agency’s Appreciative Inquiry (AI) strategy for Asset-based Community Development (ABCD). The AI/ABCD approach for community development recognizes that people commit to what they help create. The intent was to invite diverse constituents to come together to tap into their existing strengths and assets collaboratively, envision still greater success and improvements in the neighborhoods they hold dear, and to design the roadmap (new programs, infrastructures, roles, etc.) for getting there. Grounded by principles of self-empowerment and cooperation, this approach results in change that occurs more swiftly, more efficiently and more succinctly.
Results
IPI’s strategy consultancy, training, and facilitation support to NCI comprises several ongoing projects including Strategy Summit Design and Facilitation, Employee Capacity Development and Strength-based Family Development and Head Start Programs. The aim is to create healthier, more self-sufficient families and empowered communities served by NCI.
Points of Light Foundation (POLF)/Volunteer Center National Network (VCNN)
Challenge
The challenge was to create a national strategy to mobilize a national network of volunteer centers across the country. This was the first time the network had come together to collectively set their direction, discuss consistency of services and common identity, and explore economies of scale to be gained through the network.
Solution
The process gathered input from over 300 stakeholders through interviews, regional meetings and a national summit. The process included intensive training for the strategic-planning steering committee on strength-based and high-engagement approaches to strategic planning and facilitation. The following five strategic topics guided the planning effort: vibrant, inclusive networks; flowing funds; dynamic linking structures; strategic partnerships; and common identity. Our work with the strategic planning team led to the creation of a strategic-plan framework that was used at a national summit to gather input and feedback on the plan, as well as to garner buy-in and commitment to leading and supporting the plan moving forward. The resulting draft strategic plan was shared with 100 stakeholders before it was finalized and approved by the boards of both VCNN and POLF.
Results
The result was a dynamic and bold strategic plan that immediately engaged its committed stakeholders to action. Following the plan’s creation, VCNN secured $1.3 million and an additional $1 million to support plan implementation, particularly the development of new volunteer centers across the country. Other benefits included increased cooperation and affiliation among VCNN members, POLF and external stakeholders. The process empowered the VCNN leadership and its constituents to stand together in support of their commitment to support the growing needs of communities across the country. Today the VCNN is energized and succeeding in working together and tapping into the strengths of its collaborative network.
Christian Childcare International
Challenge
The Board of CCCI saw the need for a strategic plan since it seemed that many of the activities of the organization were disconnected; there was a lack of collaboration between offices and many staff were unaware of the organization’s direction.
Solution
It began with a four-day public workshop on Appreciative Inquiry—a strength-based approach to strategic planning. This enabled participants to learn how they might use this positive approach for their upcoming strategic-planning session. During this session, staff and other stakeholders engaged in data gathering and highlighted the many strengths, resources and assets of this highly valued organization. A new vision of the future was forged. After mapping the social architecture for CCCI, innovation teams gathered to begin the work on developing strategic objectives. With the introduction of a project-management tool, all of the organization’s projects were mapped and contingencies were identified.
Results
As a result of the positive approach used, staff felt a real connection to the organization’s purpose and mission and recommitted their enthusiasm and support for turning their vision into reality. New relations were forged and innovation teams began their work. These teams continue to implement and deliver on their innovations. As a result of this process, the organization saw the value of this positive approach to strategic planning and began to investigate ways to also use this approach in their community-development work in developing nations.
GEM Initiative/United States Agency for International Development
Challenge
Build excellence in leadership in non-governmental international-development organizations, government ministries and private-sector entities around the world and enable them to live up to their potential as creative forces of positive change.
Solution
The Global Excellence in Management Initiative (GEM), was a program of the Weatherhead School of Management of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio with funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development from 1994-2001.
Using GEM, an AI-based approach that includes state-of the art organizational effectiveness, leadership and change solutions, IPI consultants worked with over 70 non-governmental international development organizations (NGOs), government ministries and private-sector entities to affect change. This approach was a major shift away from the dominant development paradigm embedded in traditional problem-solving and helped unleash possibilities for human cooperation that supported breakthroughs in the development of organizational strategies, renewal and cooperation.
Results
The use of Appreciative Inquiry as an approach to capacity building of non-governmental organizations demonstrated that the process of organizational learning, strategic planning and leadership, and partnership development can be accelerated. By focusing on the “best of what is” and valuing the assets resident in each individual, community or organization, GEM participants found themselves much better equipped to break the cycle of dependency inherent in traditional approaches to relief and development and move more effectively toward the future they desire.
Evaluations of the learning process employed in GEM programs concluded that the innovative program design stimulated a learning environment that inspired, sharpened and accelerated strategic learning, planning and teamwork among NGO, government and private sector leaders. The AI approach employed throughout GEM programs proved to be as effective at the grassroots level with local communities, as well as with NGO leaders and government ministers. Program participants have reported that not only have they gained effective tools for leading positive change, but they have been transformed in the way they view the potential for growth and change in the world, their communities and their families.