Dear REDACTED NON-PROFIT ORGARNIZATION Board,
Thank you for the opportunity to work with your executive team in the development of this 180 day plan for REDACTED NON-PROFIT ORGARNIZATION’s new executive director. The materials and perspective you shared, alongside my independent review of your digital presence, tell the story of an organization with deep cultural roots, powerful narrative capital, and a legacy of unapologetically amplifying youth voice.
It’s a story born of creativity and justice- one that helped define an entire genre of youth-led performance and pedagogy. But it’s also the story of an inflection point. REDACTED NON-PROFIT ORGARNIZATION is navigating a leadership transition, cultural siloing, and the financial strain of chaotic and sometimes conflicting political priorities.
What follows is a 180-day action plan rooted in my experience guiding organizations through growth, repair, and financial recalibration. It’s not a prescription, but a scaffold-focused on listening, quick wins, and building the foundation for a unified, actionable vision.
To move forward, your Executive Director must build a cohesive culture that reinforces its business model without compromising its mission. If REDACTED NON-PROFIT ORGARNIZATION is to meet this moment as it has in the past it must be unified and intentional in its response. That means bridging the divides between program and operations, legacy and new staff, programs and administrators. These tensions are not unique in the social sector they may be more deeply entrenched here.
I’ve led through similar dynamics. What worked: clear roles, transparent decision making, and shared leadership. This plan prioritizes early listening, low stakes collaboration, and momentum without escalation- an approach that begins healing without provoking resistance.
To be successful, this work will require:
• The board’s support in reinforcing governance boundaries and strategic discipline
• A commitment to measurable outcomes that reflect the depth of narrative impact
• A willingness to evolve not just programs, but the internal culture that supports them
The plan prioritizes:
• Listening before restructuring
• Relationship
• Cultural trust before external expansion
In this early phase, I have deprioritized initiatives that may stretch capacity before core cohesion is restored. Those will come when the foundation is ready.
Want to learn more?
The key assumptions I’ve made are:
• That the team is open to healing and realignment
• That the board is ready to support a unifying, accountable vision
• That funders and partners will respond to transparency and rigor
My biggest questions are still ahead: How do youth currently experience leadership within this organization? What do frontline staff need to feel supported and seen?
And what aspects of REDACTED NON-PROFIT ORGARNIZATION identity are non-negotiable, no matter what changes?
This is an organization worth fighting for and evolving with. I hope to do both, in partnership with the people who built its legacy and those who will carry it forward.
Warmly, Greg
Bouillerce
30 Days: Listening
The first month will focus on relationship-building and organizational listening. I’ll hold 1:1s with staff, board, and external partners; facilitate listening sessions by department; and conduct anonymous surveys to surface strengths, challenges, and hidden tensions. I’ll also participate directly in “Anonymous Youth Serving Non Profit” programming to understand its pedagogy in practice.
In parallel, I’ll audit core governance and operational documents- including bylaws, budgets, org charts, and recent board materials- to assess decision-making flow, structural clarity, and areas for alignment.
This phase will conclude with a revised 90-day workplan and a synthesized snapshot of organizational “glows,” “grows,” and urgent needs- setting the foundation for action.
30
Executive Development Goals
• General Introduction to all staff
• 1:1 Meetings with all Key Administrative and Programmatic Staff
• 1:1 Meetings with Previous and Interim Executives
• 1:1 Meetings with All Board Members
• 1:1 Meetings with all Spokes Board Members
• Identify a Coaching Resource
• Participate in a “Anonymous Youth Serving Non Profit” Course
Review Materials
Org Policies
Division of Duties
Financials
Systems Review (CRM, Tracking, Etc.) Days
Team Development Goals
•Deploy Anonymous Staff Survey
•Launch Weekly Open Office Hours with ED
•Departmental Listening Circles
•Deploy Anonymous Board Engagement Survey
Deliverables
Survey Instruments
Listening Summary
Funding Source Map
Board Composition Matrix
We shift from listening to action. I’ll lead an executive team retreat to align culture and collaboration, begin strategic vision mapping, and assess funding gaps. We’ll complete a comprehensive analysis of current revenue streams to identify strengths, vulnerabilities, and opportunities. A local nonprofit executive coach will support leadership growth. A facilitated board session will clarify governance roles and rebuild trust.
60
• 1:1 Meetings with all Key Donors & Stakeholders
Want to learn more?
• Review Existing Grants, Contracts, and Fundraising Strategies
• Begin Strategic Vision Mapping
Review Materials
Board Documents
2024 Audit
Org Calendar Days
Team Development Goals
• Executive Team Retreat: Organizational Assessment + Cultural Reset
• Define Leadership Competencies & Team Norms
• Share Survey Results and Facilitate Reflection
Board Development Goals
• Facilitate Board-ED Strategy Session
• Recommendations for a local Executive Coach
Deliverables
Survey Results
Org Assessment
Fundraising Analysis
Case for Support
90-Days: Aligning Vision, Culture, and Strategy
With trust built, we’ll align vision and action. An Executive Team Retreat will convert insights into draft priorities, roles, and capacity needs. Talent development and early pilot projects will spotlight emerging leaders and build momentum. A full-team alignment session will reinforce purpose and cohesion. The board will solidify roles and engagement structures. A communications audit will assess brand clarity and digital reach. By phase’s end: a draft strategy, energized teams, and a board ready to co-lead “Anonymous Youth Serving Non Profit”’ next chapter.
Executive Development Goals
90
• Draft Initial Strategic Priorities with Input from Staff & Board
• Map Internal Roles to Strategic Goals
• Begin External Communications Audit (branding, messaging, visibility)
Review Materials
Org Strategy Decks
Contracts and Agreements Days
Team Development Goals
• Executive Team Retreat: Strategic Plan
• Create Talent Development Map (identify leadership pipelines)
• Identify Passion/Pilot Projects that Amplify Strategic Priorities
• Host a facilitator led All-Staff Workshop on Shared Vision & Culture
Board Development Goals
• Review Strategic Draft with Governance Committee
• Confirm Updated Board Roles, Committees, and Expectations
• Identify Opportunities for Board Re
Deliverables
Strategic Plan Workshop
Pilot Project List
With momentum building, we’ll finalize the strategic plan complete with metrics, milestones, and accountability- turning it into a dynamic guide for action. I’ll model sustainability with a brief pause, returning recharged. Staff will complete a 360 review and a pulse check survey to assess alignment, safety, and engagement. The board will conduct a parallel culture check focused on clarity and governance. Financially, we’ll launch the first iteration of a comprehensive fundraising strategy, aligning revenue goals with program vision and capacity.
120
• Finalize Strategic Plan Draft with Milestones and Metrics
• Take time Off to Reset
By phase’s end: a living strategic plan, refreshed leadership, and renewed insight grounded in purpose, people, and progress. Want
Review Materials
Comms Strategy Days
Team Development Goals
• Deploy Puls Check Survey
• Reassess morale, psychological safety, and organizational trust
• Identify strengths, opportunities, and urgent concerns
• Assess Strategic Direction, implementation, and communication.
• Deploy 360 Review
• Assess individual progress, buy-in, culture building
Deliverables
Strategic Plan (Final)
Donor Engagement Toolkit
• Identify strengths, opportunities, and urgent concerns
• Deploy Anonymous Pulse Check Survey
Revised Org Chart Growth Chart Board Development Goals
150 Days: Integration, Investment, and Long-Term Visioning
Executive Development Goals
• Review Survey Results
• Fundraising Vision Mapping
Review Materials
Professional Development Opportunities Days
Team Development Goals
• Executive Team Retreat: Strategic Assessment/Cultural Pulse Check
• Initiate Internal Professional Development Plans
• Identify Professional Development Opportunities
Board Development Goals
• Host Board + Staff Showcase Event (e.g., Town Hall or Culture Share)
• Form Board-Staff-Youth Strategy Working Group
• Launch Quarterly Governance Review Process
Deliverables
Board Fundraising Plan
Engagement Calendar
Pulse Check Results
At the six-month mark, we’ll evaluate progress across people, purpose, and performance. Executive leadership will pause to reflect, synthesize insights from the first 180 days, and refine the multi-year vision. Pulse Check Survey results will be analyzed and findings will inform next steps and adjustments.
Financially, we’ll conduct a review of fundraising metrics and donor engagement data- analyzing which strategies are gaining traction and where we need to pivot. This ensures the next phase of growth is rooted in both cultural alignment and financial stability.
At this point, we shift from stabilization to long-term vision. Guided by feedback, we’ll refine strategy and launch professional development plans tied to team sustainability. A additional executive retreat will assess progress and strengthen cohesion. Board engagement deepens through quarterly governance reviews and cross-stakeholder events like a Culture Share. A new Board-Staff-Youth Strategy Group will begin co-creating “Anonymous Youth Serving Non Profit”’ next chapter. By phase’s end: a more aligned, empowered, and unified organization- ready to evolve and lead with clarity. 180
By phase’s end, we’ll have a comprehensive picture of organizational health, a clarified revenue roadmap, and a leadership model grounded in sustainability, shared ownership, and bold possibility. Want to learn more?
Executive Development Goals
• Consolidate Strategic Vision
• Establish Long-Term Executive Rhythm
• Actualize Fundraising Models and Growth Potential
Team Development Goals
Review Materials
Strategic Plan
Engagement Calendar
Growth Chart Days
• Launch Internal Talent Cohorts
• Team-Led Departmental OKRs (Objectives & Key Results)
• Culture Pulse + Debrief
• Annual Board Retreat
Board Development Goals
• Launch Board Mentorship Pairings
• Establish Annual Self-Evaluation Process
Deliverables
Funding Health Check
Pilot Progress Reports