Create SMART objectives for your nonprofit

Create SMART objectives for your nonprofit

By Alison Caughlin

Nonprofits are inherently mission-oriented, and setting goals is essential for development staff and nonprofit leadership. Goals are the foundation for creating a strategic plan, launching a program, or expanding the reach of an organization’s work. Having specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals is critical for the organization to work toward its success. Using the acronym SMART, you can start developing goals that make the most of your available budget, expertise, and resources. 

S: Specific

Specific goals state clearly what needs to be achieved, such as “we will increase output by doing X, Y, and Z” instead of  “we will increase output”. There is a direct quality that leaves no room for misinterpretation and eliminates ambiguity. The organization knows where it wants to go and what it wants to accomplish, based on its current needs and capacity. 

M: Measurable

For your goals to be measurable, it is important to consider both qualitative and quantitative measures of success. Using data that is both numerical and depicts the experiences and perspectives of individuals served through your goals is key. What are the long-term effects of your work? What short-term data are you collecting to depict your success? These are the questions that measured outcomes should answer. 

A: Achievable 

Setting a lofty goal without the infrastructure, budget, or resources to accomplish it can set an organization up for failure before the project or program has even begun. Ensuring that goals are ambitious but still attainable can set any organization on the path to success. Looking at previous years' outcomes and objectives can create a baseline for improvement or maintenance. This will ensure that time, resources, and energy are used effectively.

R: Relevant

Relevant goals focus on something that makes sense with the broader organization’s goals. For

For example, if the goal is to launch a new program or service, it should align with the overall mission and vision of the organization. This is where “the big picture” is considered. Why are you setting the goal that you’re setting?

T: Time-Bound

All goals should have a concrete deadline to be accomplished. This gives the team a point to work toward and helps keep them focused on achieving the goal. Multiple deadlines can also provide a scaffold for improvement. 

To set your own SMART goals, consider the following: 

• Assess your current assets: What resources, staff, and budget do you have to accomplish your goals? 

• Understand stakeholder interests: Who are the stakeholders? What are they asking for, and what are their main concerns? 

• Tie the goal to your mission: Work with a mission-oriented team to decide what goals best fit your organization's mission.

By breaking down your goals using the SMART acronym, success is just around the corner!