Strategic Planning Assistance

Through strategic planning, organizations create a roadmap for effective decision-making. Working with an outside facilitator, board and staff members complete an assessment of the organization’s current status—its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats—and then unify around a set of common goals.

The final document establishes:

• a common vision

• an outline of strategic goals and objectives with recommendations for the effective use of resources

• an organizational structure that will help you successfully meet your goals

DHPSNY worked closely with the New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON) to develop a curriculum geared specifically toward assisting small- to medium-sized institutions. The curriculum consists of two webinars, data collection via an online survey, and a retreat (in-person or virtual) with a facilitator from the DHPSNY or NYCON staff.

Learn more about DHPSNY's Strategic Planning Assistance curriculum.

At the end of the process, your organization will have a three-year strategic plan that includes specific goals for your archival collection(s). This document will be unique to your organization. The plan will identify key goals to support and strengthen your organization with milestones to measure your success along the way. Six months after the receipt of the document, DHPSNY will check in with your organization to offer support in the form of a half-day, virtual program that will focus on one goal from the plan. These support programs will be built around subjects such as diversity and inclusion, bylaw revisions, membership recruitment, and fundraising and fund development.

Is My Organization Eligible?

Your organization is eligible to apply for these programs if it:

• holds historical records and/or library research materials
• operates programs to preserve historical records and make them publicly accessible,
• is a nonprofit, non-governmental cultural institution in New York State.

How Can We Apply?

DHPSNY accepts applications year-round. Our team of library, archives, and conservation professionals in New York State reviews applications three times a year. Click here to learn more about DHPSNY's application review process.

The next application review deadline is November 21, 2025. DHPSNY will notify applicants of their application status by January 2026. Accepted organizations should be prepared to begin the assessment process by Spring 2026.

Questions? Please contact the DHPSNY team for assistance, questions about eligibility, or additional information at (215) 545-0613 ext. 337 or info@dhpsny.org.