“MPS Assists” Provides Strategic Planning Support to SMANA

Earlier this year, the Social Marketing Association of North America (SMANA) applied to MPS Assists, the pro bono division of MPS’ nonprofit services, for help in defining the next phase of its organizational direction. The mission of the Arlington-based nonprofit is to connect and support change agents who use commercial marketing techniques to promote positive behavior change for social good. Since their founding in 2016, they had made a lot of progress, but like any young organization with limited resources, SMANA faced challenges in prioritizing a long list of needed next steps.

MPS consultants Hannah Hammer and Davin Hattaway worked closely with the SMANA board to develop a “mini” strategic plan, mapping out a critical one-year period for the organization. The MPS team gathered stakeholder input through interviews and surveys; provided a series of industry-specific conceptual models to help the board weigh key decision options; and refined the organization’s identity elements (mission, vision, and core values). The team then facilitated a working session with the full board to establish consensus on the priorities and goals of the organization, and develop actionable initiatives with assigned action owners.

MPS delivered the final twelve-month strategic plan in June of this year. It included organizational identity elements, prioritized strategic goals, supporting action plan initiatives, and recommendations for monitoring and future planning. This empowers SMANA to focus its efforts on activities aligned to strategic priorities, and optimize resources in order to advance their mission and support a healthy organization.

For more information, or to apply for pro bono program support, go to MPS Assists.