Planning in Uncertainty: Strategy that Stays Flexible

Nonprofits can’t predict how national policy shifts, local economic conditions, or global events will impact their work in the months ahead. But they can create the conditions to navigate that uncertainty with more clarity, and with a stronger ability to stay rooted in their mission.

At Collectivity, we’ve seen how strategic planning can be a powerful tool in uncertain times . . . not by locking teams into rigid roadmaps, but by helping them clarify what matters most, align decision-making, and prepare for multiple potential futures.

In some of our recent projects and conversations, we've seen organizations interested in moving toward shorter, more adaptive planning cycles, often paired with scenario planning. That’s not just about forecasting risk…it’s about identifying what’s most essential and then building a flexible plan around it.

We often guide teams through steps like:

• Identifying what’s at risk: program delivery, staffing, contracts, community needs

• Mapping out multiple scenarios and their implications

• Naming what decisions would need to be made, and when

• Clarifying guiding principles to steer decisions across all scenarios

This kind of planning helps organizations make decisions with greater confidence, even when the path ahead isn’t fully visible.

We’re offering free one-hour brainstorm sessions for teams who want to talk through planning questions, explore different scenarios, or get a fresh perspective.

No prep needed — just bring what you’re thinking about.

Let us know if you’d like to set something up!