Meal Planning for a Nonprofit

I think I may be hungry, but bare with me.

Executive Directors, Boards, and Managers seemly never have enough time to do everything that needs to be done, within in budget and well. It is absolutely true that the to-list never ends.

In that sense then, when does a mother’s (or father's) to-do list ever end? If you don't try, you and the kids will be eating pizza all week long. I know I have!

What is the most common answer to finding time for feeding her little army in a healthy way? Meal Plan! Duh! The dinner maker looks at their schedule, when they will be home and

away at ball games, thinks about what meals she wants to make, what she needs to buy (bulk, anyone?), buys online, and preps ahead! Ok sure, but when? You have to take few minutes of time before you are in the midst and steam-line! While you are at it, think ahead and freeze those meals! I have a freezer full of those, "oh crud! whats for dinner moments!"

In the same manner, nonprofit leaders, even those super busy leaders, need to understand that taking time to plan saves the organization in the long run.

~PLAN THE MENU Planning sets priorities, what the organization will do or not do? What does the organization need to prioritize to be healthy?

~SET THE BUDGET The priorities should be attached with budgets to really streamline the future year’s spending.

~GO SHOPPING! BUY IN BULK! What do you need to succeed? Nonprofits can use their planning process to understand which programs best align with goal progression. Those programs well aligned should be your top priority.

~PREP and STREAMLINE. Nonprofits should also find ways to streamline their processes (buy online, anyone?). What technological tools, such as CRM systems or credit card processing, can streamline your work, such as eliminating double entry or automatically sending emails, etc. Organizations pressed for resources, often have a hard time thinking about prepping ahead, but this might be key. What ingredients do you need to succeed?(Chop all the onion today versus a quarter a night!) Start working on accumulating the resources early. What staff? What knowledge? What technology? What capabilities do you need to succeed in your goals?

~Eat and Enjoy!