Is your organization ready to move from reacting to planning? Do you want to lead with purpose, clarity, and measurable impact?
This course provides a comprehensive overview of the essential steps, tools, and best practices for developing and implementing a strategic plan that aligns with an organization's mission, vision, and values. Participants will learn how to assess their organization's current state, define strategic priorities, set measurable goals, and create an action plan for achieving those goals. Emphasizing real-world application, the course incorporates case studies, interactive activities, and practical examples to prepare participants to lead effective strategic planning processes.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the role of strategic planning in advancing an organization's mission and long-term sustainability.
- Conduct an organizational assessment to evaluate current strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT).
- Develop or refine mission, vision, and values statements to guide strategic direction.
- Identify and prioritize strategic goals that align with organizational needs and stakeholder expectations.
- Establish measurable objectives and performance indicators to track progress and impact.
- Create an actionable strategic plan that includes timelines, resource allocation, and accountability structures.
- Engage stakeholders effectively throughout the strategic planning process.
- Apply strategic planning tools and frameworks to real-world scenarios through case studies and exercises.
- Adapt planning approaches for small to mid-sized organizations with limited resources.
Course Details:
Location: Online, asynchronous
Program Length: 6 weeks
Time Commitment: Approximately 12 hours of instruction plus assignments
Course Start Dates:
- January 19, 2026 - February 27, 2026
- May 4, 2026 - June 12, 2026
Evaluation:
This course is a graded course where a complete or an incomplete will be issued. To receive a completion of this course, a student must:
- Participate in online discussions.
- Complete lesson quizzes, assignments, and reflection.
How to Register:
Registration can be completed through the micro-credential portal.
Program Fees:
The fee for the micro-credential is $449, and there are no additional fees for textbooks or materials.
Current Trent undergraduate students receive 30% off. Please email microcredential@trentu.ca for details.
Trent Alumni receive 10% off. Please email alumni@trentu.ca for more information.
Current Trent staff and faculty receive 20% off. Please email microcredential@trentu.ca for more information.
NOTE: Only one discount code can be used per order
Prerequisites:
This course has no formal prerequisites; however, a basic understanding of nonprofit operations is recommended.
Conclusion:
By completing this course, participants will gain a solid foundation in strategic planning tailored to the nonprofit sector. They will leave with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to lead or support the development and implementation of strategic plans that drive mission-focused results. Whether you're new to strategic planning or looking to sharpen your skills, this course equips you to make a meaningful impact within your organization and the communities you serve.