Strategic Plan Services

We believe that you, our clients have or can find the answers to most of your organizational challenges and opportunities. We provide external research, expertise and experience. Maria Gitin Associates serve as the guides and coaches that give focus and direction to multiple interests and viewpoints.

We use a modified version of the Peter F. Drucker Self Assessment process that is considered a 'best practice' in organizational assessment and strategic planning. (For more information, see www.drucker.org and click on "Self-Assessment.") Maria Gitin is a member of the Drucker Foundation/Leader to Leader national training team. Samuel Torres Jr. and Jeanne Hanks have extensive experience in assessments and strategic planning with nonprofits and in the public sector. All Associates are experienced with bilingual, bicultural and diverse groups.

I am looking forward to our continued working relationship which has made a difference in positioning Gardner to go the next level.....Si Se Puede! - Ignacio Perez, CFO, Gardner (Gardner Family Health Network, Santa Clara County, CA

Board member Fred Keeley and Membership Coordinator Glen Shaller of Save Our Shores report that years later "We are still using your good plan to guide our new directions."

Strategic Plan Services
  • Facilitate in-depth assessments and generate strategic plans
  • Facilitate Strategic Plan retreats
  • Conduct brief on-site assessments to resolve special issues or focus on special areas such as fundraising, board development, cultural diversity and others.
  • Develop and lead strategic planning training for staff, boards and training programs.
  • Work with management team and board leaders to implement specific strategies to meet your goals.
Typical Strategic Plan Results
  1. Develop a vision for three-five years into future through development of a plan to achieve and fund that vision.
  2. Base your plan on research from within the organization, from your consumers and funders, and from the field.
  3. Build leadership capacity to carry out plans through training and coaching.
  4. Generate stronger board-staff teams through improved understanding of roles and relations.
  5. Create solutions to program development including expansion, restructuring, possible mergers or acquisitions.
  6. Generate new and increased funding using data-based, consumer informed plans as the basis for grant proposals and fundraising appeals.
Representative Strategic Planning Clients
Camarena Health Centers, Inc., Madera County, CA
Pre-development consultation with three-site health centers to develop internal fundraising capacities through strategic planning and case statement development.

Carmel Public Library Foundation, Carmel, CA
Performed 18-month consultation, conducted assessment, guided start-up and secured initial $250,000 gift to launch foundation that met its $3 million endowment goal in three years.

Community Bridges / Puentes de la Comunidad, Santa Cruz County, CA
Facilitated in depth Strategic Plan and Board Development processes for $15 million health and human service agency in Santa Cruz County. Results: name change, new mission statement, internal restructuring, cultural diversity, board and fund development plans. The project included extensive board training and staff training.

Gardner (Gardner Family Health Network & Gardner Family Care Corp.), Santa Clara County, CA
Performed assessment, provided board development training and Strategic Fund Development Plan for multi-site $41 million health center affiliates in preparation for their first Development Department and capital campaign.

Save Our Shores, Santa Cruz, CA
Conducted nine month in-depth assessment and developed strategic plan that included new programs, staffing pattern, board development and fundraising plan for environmental action agency in transition.