Strategic Planning Assistance

Through strategic planning, organizations create a roadmap for effective decision making. Working with an outside facilitator, board and staff members conduct 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, recommendations for the effective allocation of resources, and an organizational structure that will support the work of implementation.

DHPSNY worked closely with the New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON) to develop a curriculum geared specifically toward assisting small- to medium-sized institutions in strategic planning in a thoughtful way and has updated this curriculum for a virtual process. This curriculum consists of two webinars, data collection via an online survey, and an in-person or virtual retreat under the guidance of a designated 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 completed a three-year strategic plan. The resulting strategic planning document will be unique to your institution, identifying key goals to support and strengthen your organization with milestones to gauge your success along the way. In addition, sites will be offered a half-day support program virtually following the completion of their strategic plan, designed to strengthen their ability to implement a goal from their plan. These support programs will be built around subjects such as diversity and inclusion, bylaw revisions, membership recruitment, and fundraising and fund development.

Criteria for Participation

Eligible institutions are those that are nonprofit, non-government institutions in New York State that:

• Hold historical records and/or library research materials, and
• Operate programs to preserve such records and make them publicly accessible

If you have questions about your eligibility, please contact DHPSNY.

DHPSNY's application forms are powered by Submittable. The online platform allows you to save your work and return if you are unable to complete in one sitting, as well as upload a variety of supporting materials directly within the form. 

Applications are accepted year-round and reviewed three times a year by an advisory committee of library, archives, and conservation professionals. Click here to learn more about DHPSNY's application review process.

The next application review deadline is Friday, March 14, 2025. Applicants will be notified of their application status by May 2025 and should be prepared to begin the assessment process by summer 2025. 

Click here to apply.

DHPSNY staff is available to assist you in completing the application form. Please contact the DHPSNY team for assistance, questions about eligibility, or additional information at (215) 545-0613 ext. 337 or info@dhpsny.org.