Picture this: You’re sitting by the window at your monthly board meeting. You can tell it’s a beautiful, sunny day outside through the glass. Your board and advisers have decided to create your nonprofit’s strategic plan, but there is nothing you want to do less than spend your day — or likely several days — going through the planning process. To you, strategic planning is boring, time-consuming, and difficult to put to use.

You’re not alone if you resent the idea of strategic planning. However, a simple and effective plan is essential in determining success.

You can transform your strategic planning process into a simple, ongoing, and effective process. Let’s review some of the top reasons why you may be struggling to get your plan off the ground and create real impact.

Your executive director won’t champion the process and promote accountability. Strong leadership is at the apex of any great nonprofit. However, your executive director is likely juggling many responsibilities — completing grant applications, running staff meetings, and engaging in marketing activities. In this urgent and pressure-filled environment, leaders may feel like they’re reacting to what’s happening now instead of preparing for what’s next.

In strategic planning, it is not the executive director’s job to execute every area of the plan; it’s impossible for one person to do. Instead, the executive director’s primary strategic planning role is to serve as the champion of the process.

As far back as 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) began discussions on the implementation of new leasing standards. The new leasing recognition guidelines, which outlined requirements for recording almost all leases on entities’ financial statements, met significant pushback from accounting professionals and businesses alike.

Well, the delays are now over. We must all comply with the new FASB standard ASU 842 in 2022. The new standard, which applies to both non-profit and for-profit organizations, became effective for all fiscal years beginning after Dec. 15, 2021. This means that, if you have leases, you must record under the new guidelines effective Jan. 1, 2022. Financial statements for calendar years ending on Dec. 31, 2022 and fiscal years ending in 2023 must be presented with the new standard.

Under the old standards, nonprofits did not record operating leases on their statements of financial position. They simply recorded “lease expense” on statement of activities while making monthly payments. The new requirements were put in place to provide more clarity about an organization’s leasing arrangements and cash flow requirements. Donors will now have more information on the future financial commitments that the organization has undertaken.

Leases will be classified as either a financing lease, an operating lease, or a short-term lease.

Episode 7: Join Bryan Orander in a conversation with Kelli Mirgeaux, president of Southeast Neighborhood Development, about the nonprofit’s impact in Fountain Square and nearby communities. The organization has been adapting its work to support a thriving Fountain Square while partnering with neighborhoods around the new Justice Center to both preserve and transform those communities. Listen

Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana has launched its campaign to distribute 1 million gallons of milk in 2022 as part of its ongoing efforts to fight food insecurity throughout central and southern Indiana. According to the nonprofit, milk remains one of the most requested items for individuals and families visiting their pantries but also the least donated item. Learn more about the campaign.

Glick Philanthropies has awarded a grant to the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis to hire mental health and behavioral coordinator and inclusion support specialists to work at CampJCC, the nonprofit’s summer day camp. Read

The Meridian Foundation is seeking its second cohort of nonprofits in central Indiana to receive the Arago Honors award, which recognizes innovation with $10,000 in unrestricted funding. In 2021, eight local nonprofits were recognized with $10,000 awards each. Deadline is Aug. 15. Read about last year’s recipients and apply

Hoosier Women Forward (HWF) is accepting applications for its leadership program. Applicants must be 25 years of age or older, must be able to demonstrate leadership in their workplace or community, and have a desire to serve the public good. HWF alumnae include elected officials, nonprofit and corporate leaders, community organizers, and party officials. Apply by June 22

Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center is accepting applications for Public Allies Indianapolis, a 10-month AmeriCorps program that engages leaders from diverse backgrounds, helping them turn their passion and experience into a viable career path. Learn more

DONATION: Furniture, filing cabinets, dry erase boards, cork board and chairs. If interested, contact Patsy Faulkner patsy@zbtnational.org or call (317) 334-1898. All items will need to be removed no later than June 27.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb recently announced plans to return $1 billion of state reserves to taxpayers throughout the state, for a refund of about $225 each. And, in recent years, philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has given away more than $12.5 billion to hundreds of nonprofits, including ones in Indiana. If you had the opportunity to give away $1 billion or more, how would you distribute those funds in Central Indiana?

Submit Answer We would like to include the results of this survey in an upcoming Not-for-profit News newsletter.

Giving USA 2022: A review of trends in philanthropy webinar on June 22 at 1 p.m. Learn about drivers of charitable giving within each nonprofit sector and challenges for continued philanthropic growth, as well as gain insights on how to use data to inform fundraising strategies. Presented by Johnson, Grossnickle and Associates. Cost: Free. Register

Get on Board in-person event on June 28, 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Newfields, 4000 N. Michigan Rd. Attendees interested in serving on nonprofit boards or as a volunteer will have the opportunity to meet with various representatives of local nonprofit organizations. Presented by AES Indiana. Registration is free but required. Learn more

Diversity, equity, inclusion and belongingness: Where to start? webinar on July 14 at 8:30 a.m. Learn strategies from Jeremy York of Purple Ink on how to successfully launch a strong diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiative. Sponsored by HR Nonprofit Peer Group. Cost: Free. Register

Program planning: How to build, scale & manage programs to reach your goals training workshop on July 20 and 27, from 1-3 p.m. Explore methods and strategies to brainstorm and create ideas for the purpose of program development, scalability, sustainability, and expansion. Presented by Nonprofit Learning Lab. Cost: Members: vary/ Non-members $300. Register

City of Fishers at Spark! need volunteers June 21-25 for its annual 5K and Fun Run, Car & Art Show, evening concerts, and street festival. Volunteers are needed to help with the parade, food and drinks, vendors, displays and youth zones. Contact Amy Crell at crella@fishers.in.us or at 317-670-9437.

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