Strategic Planning: What is it and Why is it Important?
Strategic planning is a process not an event – resulting in a blueprint outlining strategies that will enable your organization to fulfill its mission. The process gives staff and board members the opportunity to build consensus on the mission, vision and values of the organization. A good strategic plan will help your organization prepare for the future, improve the process of decision making, and anticipate and manage change. As part of ESC’s strategic planning process, we ask and help our nonprofit clients answer the questions: “Where are you now?” “Where do you want/need to go to achieve your mission?” and “What will you do to get there?” Read more >
Client Spotlight: Helping Thrive Support & Advocacy
Plan for the Future
In 2015, Thrive Support & Advocacy, Inc., a nonprofit that empowers youth and adults with developmental disabilities, was looking to develop a five-year strategic plan that would allow sustainable growth in the face of uncertain funding and service expectations. Thrive wanted to engage the Board in a planning process that would include input from all stakeholders.

Thrive hired ESC who put together a team of consultants to work on a six-month engagement. The project consisted of three phases: environmental analysis, strategic planning, and implementation planning. The first phase involved analyzing Thrive’s current activities, reputation in the community, and stakeholder needs and satisfaction. Through interviews, surveys and meetings with key stakeholders, ESC gathered and analyzed data in order to answer two key questions: “Where are you now?” and “Where do you want/need to go to achieve your mission?”  Read more >
Meet Christine Abrams and Anne Halvorsen:
Two of ESC's Strategic Planning Consultants
ESC consultants are seasoned professionals with a broad range of backgrounds and skills. Our more than 175 consultants are versed in nonprofit management and bring best practices to every engagement. Christine and Anne are just two consultants who have provided strategic guidance and hands-on management skills to help nonprofits across New England. Meet Christine Abrams and Anne Halvorsen .
Professional Development Opportunities

  • ESC Nonprofit Executive RoundTable, beginning January 2020 and going for nine months, ESC Office, Boston, MA. Learn more here.
  • Strategies to Reduce and Prevent Employee Burnout, Nov. 12, 2019, 9:30-11:30 AM, Weston Public Library: free workshop presented by Foundation for MetroWest and ESC. Register here.
  • Revenue Diversification - Options, Ideas and Considerations Webinar, Nov 20, 2019, 2:00-3:00 PM. Register here.
We're Here to Help

Whether you need guidance developing a strategic plan, want to enhance your fundraising strategies, need assistance with developing your board or are planning on updating your brand, ESC has experienced professionals who can help meet your needs. To set up an initial call to talk about how we can help, fill out our inquiry form online.
Articles of Interest

New ESC Consulting Projects
  • Addgene, Watertown, MA
  • Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust, New London, NH
  • Elizabeth Stone House, Jamaica Plain, MA
  • Facing History and Ourselves, Brookline, MA
  • Foundation for MetroWest (Crossroads Community Foundation), Natick, MA
  • Jamestown Philomenian Library Foundation, Jamestown, RI
  • METCO, Roxbury, MA
  • Physician Health Services, Inc., Waltham, MA
  • Safe Roads Alliance, Medford, MA
  • Seeding Labs, Boston, MA
  • St. Katharine Drexel Parish, Roxbury, MA
  • Victim Rights Law Center, Boston, MA
  • Union Square Main Streets, Somerville, MA
  • Worcester Art Museum, Worcester, MA
  • Yankee Onsite Wastewater Association, Woburn, MA
New ESC Fellowships
  • Art Connection-RI, Pawtucket, RI
  • Crossroads Rhode Island, Providence, RI 
  • Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, Stockbridge, MA
  • The Lenny Zakim Fund, Boston, MA