A social change agency, specifically, can be a planning and tactical powerhouse. It can help nonprofits understand how to move from where they currently are to where they would like to go. Strategies can also be developed and executed, and funds sourced to achieve particular goals.

When working on strategies for social change, the key is planning ahead. As this happens, agencies will need to engage in strategic planning. The planning should include what tactics will need to be employed to build influence and the ways in which they will be implemented. There are many ways to do this, including building relationships with the target audience. It should also entail building relationships with the various decision makers at the local, regional, state, federal, and local levels of government. Additionally, strategic planning should consider the impact such tactics will have on the building of a sustainable, inclusive community as a whole.

There are several avenues to explore in advance of engaging in strategic planning for a social change agency . First, the nonprofit should begin to build a list of its various stakeholders. This should include people who have an interest in, or knowledge about, nonprofits. It could also include key community members who can offer knowledge or experience about nonprofits, or key nonprofit partners.

Next, the strategic planning team should begin to engage in strategic planning sessions with each of the nonprofits it plans to work with. Such sessions should include an opportunity for the stakeholders to voice their concerns. Such sessions should be open and free-flowing, so all perspectives can be presented. In addition to informal communication via teleconferences, a comprehensive online community forum can also be established. This forum should allow interested nonprofits to provide feedback and discuss issues freely, developing open lines of communication and ensuring a sense of balance and fairness when considering issues for the nonprofits to consider working with.

In addition to engaging with the stakeholder community, the strategic planning team should also consider engaging the public. During the engagement process, the nonprofit should work to build a credible reputation by communicating honestly with the general public. An effective way to do this would be for the nonprofit to engage in public relations activities. These could include regular communications with local newspapers and television stations. Additionally, the nonprofit should develop and maintain a PR website that links to and responds to the media.

Finally, the strategic planning team should also consider engaging a reputable think tank. A think tank is like a smaller version of a think tank; however, it has considerably more depth and flexibility when it comes to formulating solutions to social change problems. When considering think tanks, the nonprofit should look for those which are supported by prominent experts in the field. The think tank should also have members from diverse backgrounds. Such a diverse set of minds will help the nonprofit build influence and build credibility.

A social change agency may also consider working with another nonprofit in order to achieve greater success at achieving their mission-driven causes. For example, the nonprofit may work alongside another nonprofit dedicated to providing services to people at risk of incarceration. These two organizations may then work together in order to provide a comprehensive solution to the unique needs of people incarcerated. This type of collaboration will ensure that every aspect of the social change cause is being covered.

There are numerous other ways for nonprofits to work with one another to achieve their missions. As we move forward, it is essential that nonprofits remember that they share a common goal to effectively pursue social change and that all of their efforts are in support of this goal. While working together, nonprofits can establish a clear strategy for ensuring an impactful social impact. As part of this strategy, all nonprofits must be aware of the importance of reaching out to, developing, and using the expertise and relationships of other nonprofits. This effort will not only allow the nonprofit to make effective use of the expertise of other nonprofits, but it will also increase its own effectiveness at effectively pursuing its missions.