Strategic plan 2026: Executive summary

Founded in 2006, Anne Arundel Women Giving Together is a women's giving circle with the mission of supporting initiatives that improve the quality of life for women and families in our community. A volunteer, member-led organization, the organization has a strong record of collective philanthropy, volunteer leadership, and community investment. As we enter our third decade, our growth in grantmaking, membership, programming, and public visibility has brought complexity that demands an intentional approach in planning its future.

Strategic Plan 2026 is intended to guide Anne Arundel Women Giving Together through its next stage of organizational development. It aims to preserve our strengths while identifying practices, structures, and priorities to assure an effective and sustainable future.

The Strategic Plan's stated purpose is to:

• Provide direction for our future
• Enhance our organizational strength and agility
• Define common priorities and goals
• Create a guide for our rotating leadership

Strategic Plan 2026 is the starting point for a 3-year period of continued organizational growth and positive change, allowing us to move forward with the shared purpose of supporting women and families in Anne Arundel County.

In summary, the strategic plan is to serve both as a road map and as a living document: grounded in our mission, responsive to experience, and focused on helping the organization continue to grow in impact, connection, and effectiveness.

Pillar 1: Grantmaking

Assure that Anne Arundel Women Giving Together grantmaking is impactful and relevant.

• Goal 1: Determine a process for measuring our grant impact and results.
• Goal 2: Establish our grant impact and results reporting to membership.
• Goal 3 Assess and evaluate current grant criteria.
• Goal 4: Create opportunities to learn from and interact with past and current grantees and other nonprofits.

Pillar 2: Leadership and organization

Continue evolving Anne Arundel Women Giving Together as a high-performing organization led by strong and informed leadership.

• Goal 1: Use the strategic plan as a 3-year road map, guiding our operations, grantmaking, and programs.
• Goal 2: Assure that our mission and vision statements reflect the purpose of our organization.
• Goal 3: Use key operational tracking and evaluation metrics to measure and inform our activities.
• Goal 4: Improve communication about our functions and committees.
• Goal 5: Support collaboration, respect and sharing amongst committees, to strengthen Anne Arundel Women Giving Together as an organization.
• Goal 6: Establish a pipeline for future leadership.
• Goal 7: Create a comprehensive leadership transition program to support success of future leaders.
• Goal 8: Anticipate the implications of our continued growth.

Pillar 3: Membership and culture

Work toward a fully engaged and diverse membership.

• Goal 1: Continue to increase member diversity of all types.
• Goal 2: Strengthen the Circle of Friends Program, focusing on member diversity and fellowship.
• Goal 3: Match member experience and skills to our organizational needs.
• Goal 4: Support Next Generation Committee development with focus on member engagement and future leadership opportunities.
• Goal 5: Educate members about the various ways to participate in and support Anne Arundel Women Giving Together, including activities and leadership opportunities.

Pillar 4: Programs and activities

Offer a full variety of member engagement, education, and volunteer opportunities.

• Goal 1: Offer a wider variety of programming.
• Goal 2: Offer more small-group, hands-on activities that allow more meaningful and satisfying member interaction.
• Goal 3: Gather ideas for educational programs and speakers.
• Goal 4: Create and design activities and events that embrace a diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging filter in venue selection, audience targeting, and event promotion.
• Goal 5: Use a proactive and comprehensive approach in planning our events and programs.

Pillar 5: Technology and communication

Strive toward effective and transparent systems and communication.

• Goal 1: Determine user needs when interacting with technology.
• Goal 2: Track our IT assets to improve cost control, security, and operational efficiency.
• Goal 3: Document and create policies and procedures to reduce ambiguity and streamline workflows.
• Goal 4: Ensure adoption of chosen technology platforms.
• Goal 5: Support the use of performance measures in informing our programs and activities.
• Goal 6: Create a strategic framework that coordinates all marketing channels and delivers unified, consistent messaging.
• Goal 7: Define and promote the Anne Arundel Women Giving Together "brand" throughout Anne Arundel County.

Pillar 6: Financial stability

Ensure long-term financial and organizational sustainability for Anne Arundel Women Giving Together.

• Goal 1: As a component fund of the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County, maintain ongoing coordination and regular financial reporting on Anne Arundel Women Giving Together funds.
• Goal 2: Develop and maintain a balanced annual budget that aligns fundraising efforts with our operational goals.
• Goal 3: Conduct ongoing education for leaders and members regarding our finances, financial structure, and fundraising efforts.
• Goal 4: Support our Grant and Administrative Funds through coordinated fundraising efforts.
• Goal 5: Strengthen our long-term financial stability through the endowment funds and planned and legacy gifts.