Case Study 02
Organizational Snapshot
Sector: Community safety & violence reduction
Audience: Nonprofits, grassroots partners, state agencies, and residents
Size: New statewide initiative
Key Challenge: Developing the first strategic plan with many diverse stakeholders
The Challenge
As a new organization working to reduce community violence, the team needed its first strategic plan — and they needed it to reflect the voices of everyone involved. Staff, grassroots organizations, funders, board members, and individuals with lived experience all had different perspectives. The challenge was aligning priorities while addressing urgent community needs and building capacity among local partners.
Our Approach
We facilitated a deeply collaborative planning process that honored the lived experiences and expertise already in the community. Through listening sessions, workshops, and stakeholder engagement, we brought together leaders, partners, and residents to identify core priorities and shared outcomes. We helped clarify the organization’s role as a conduit — ensuring resources, knowledge, and support flowed directly to those doing the work on the ground. Together, we crafted an equity-centered plan that strengthens collaboration, expands capacity for frontline organizations, and addresses the systemic challenges that contribute to violence. Throughout the process, we made space for transparency, trust-building, and honest dialogue.
Impact
The organization now has a unified, community-informed roadmap to guide its mission. Stakeholders have clearer roles, stronger connections, and aligned priorities. The plan strengthens the organization’s ability to support partners, influence systems change, and deliver resources to where they are needed most. By centering community voices, the process not only produced strategy — it built trust and momentum for reducing harm and increasing safety across the state.
“As a new organization developing our first strategic plan, we were incredibly fortunate to partner with My Neighbor My Friend. Their thoughtful and skillful process brought together staff, board members, funders, community partners, and individuals with lived experience in a way that created genuine alignment and clarity. Their guidance strengthened our vision, deepened collaboration, and set us on a path toward lasting impact.”
Lauren, Executive Director