Strategic Services and Planning
Creative Independents is a trusted partner for non-profit organizations, including independent schools, faith-based communities and membership-based organizations. We specialize exclusively in meeting the immediate and future needs of the organization. Our team works hand in hand with leadership to respond to the financial realities and market challenges, and plan for the continued success of the organization.
Our strategic planning engagements are designed to provide independent schools with a clear, actionable roadmap for long-term sustainability. We utilize a disciplined, data-driven methodology grounded in industry best practices and informed by stakeholder engagement. The result is a strategic plan that is both aspirational and operational and aligned to mission, responsive to market realities, and supported by the full school community.
Independent School Strategic Planning Process
Comprehensive Institutional Assessment
Our typical assignment begins with an assessment that establishes a clear baseline. This assessment identifies the School’s core strengths, major challenges, and emerging opportunities.
This includes:
Quantitative analysis of the School’s financials - enrollment, advancement, and finance/operational data
Trend analysis using our Industry leading Heat Mapping tools against cohort and aspirational schools
Benchmarking and competitive analysis
Review of organizational structure, governance, and policies and procedures
Stakeholder Engagement
We facilitate structured listening opportunities that ensure inclusive participation and provide qualitative insights to build shared ownership in the process. These may include creating a task force of the School’s leadership, trustees, faculty, and other ambassadors.
One on one and small group interviews with trustees and leadership
Focus groups with faculty, staff, parents and students
In-person or virtual conversations with select alumni and donors
Climate surveys
Strategic Planning
Taking findings from the assessment and feedback from the stakeholders, we guide the School through a structured decision-making process. The result is a plan with a 5-10 year focus, including:
Strategic priorities
Institutional goals and objectives
Key performance indicators and success metrics
Implementation & Accountability
We convert strategic direction into an actionable plan, including:
Multi-year roadmap for implementation
Defined roles and responsibilities
Resource and budget allocations
Monitoring, evaluation, and reporting tools
The work typically culminates in a workshop with leadership, trustees, faculty, and other ambassadors to share research findings, review the plan, and define individual roles in advancing the School's mission.
Proposed Strategic Planning Process
Phase 1 - Launch
Contracting and scope refinement
Establish Task Force and governance structure
Workplan and communications plan development
Phase 2 - Discovery & Assessment
Data collection and institutional assessment
Benchmarking and competitive analysis
Stakeholder interviews, focus groups, and surveys
Deliverable: Assessment Report
Phase 3 - Strategic Direction Setting Workshop
Leadership and board visioning sessions
Prioritization exercises and scenario planning
Development of strategic themes, goals, and success measures
Drafting and refinement of the strategic plan priorities
Deliverable: Multi-year plan with timelines, ownership, budget considerations, and tracking metrics.
Phase 4 - Implementation
Implementation roadmap
Tools for sustainability and accountability
Leadership coaching and rollout support
Optional ongoing progress monitoring