Featured Project

Organizations undertake strategic planning for many reasons. These may include a desire to launch new business lines or move into new communities, to address evolving economic or social concerns, or to build organizational cohesion. POAH Communities is a national nonprofit whose mission is “to preserve, create and sustain affordable, healthy homes that support economic security, racial equity and access to opportunity for all.” It has turned to VIVA for assistance several times in creating multi-year strategic plans to guide its expansion geographically and programmatically.   For each iteration, VIVA has worked closely with POAH staff to frame its current questions about the future.  Each planning effort has engaged POAH staff from all departments and geographic offices, as well as incorporating input from other key stakeholders ranging from residents to funders. VIVA’s own work has been adapted in each plan iteration to POAH’s desired scope, from a hands-on, expansive role in the organization’s early days, to a more advisory, facilitative role as POAH’s internal capacity has grown.  The outcomes have been actionable plans, responsive to the ideas of both staff and Board members, with clear targeted outcomes to enable POAH to gauge its progress.