Self-Paced Nonprofit Program – Module 5

MODULE 5 – Strategic Planning, Accountability, and Action Planning

Strategic clarity drives nonprofit impact. This module provides guidance on identifying key stakeholders—including voices outside your organization—to support both short- and long-term visioning.

Participants learn how to write an effective strategic plan, design an organizational structure aligned with goals, create job descriptions that support accountability, and document the value of volunteer time within financial systems to demonstrate community support.

Includes: strategic planning guidance, accountability tools, and volunteer valuation insights.

My name is Nancy Heskin-Rakness, Director of Nonprofit Education for Strengthen ND. My background is 25 years with the Girl Scouts, two years as a troop leader and 23 years in the role of regional CEO. During that time, I gained national certification status by meeting the competencies of a nonprofit executive through application and testing. My career history also includes the following roles: district administrator, interim executive director, and human resources manager. Through the years, I attended well over one hundred educational conferences, and I kept track of what worked and made a positive impact. My aim is to share what I learned to support your efforts to increase the capacity and sustainability of your nonprofit.

Each module in Strengthen ND’s Nonprofit Certificate Program is designed to build practical leadership capacity through structured, self-paced online learning. Participants complete pre- and post-session confidence surveys, review curated resources, and download editable templates to apply directly within their organization. Course materials are accessible only through registration and cannot be edited online.