“Nell helped us chart a course for the future that meets the needs of our current students and allows us to expand to serve even more. She was skilled at developing a framework that allowed us to grapple with the tough questions of strategy and sustainability. We are thrilled we made this investment and look forward to the coming years with a plan firmly in place!”
– Michael Griffith, Executive Director, Breakthrough Central Texas
The Problem
Breakthrough is a very successful program that identifies cohorts of 6th grade students who want to be the first in their families to graduate from college and then Breakthrough supports those students over the next 12 years so that they reach that goal. Over their 10+ year history, Breakthrough has achieved impressive student outcomes and the support of a deep donor base. In fact, Breakthrough has been so successful that other schools and school districts have asked to add the Breakthrough program. In the Spring of 2015, Breakthrough board and staff wanted to grow to reach more students, but they didn’t know how to determine when and where. They needed a strategic plan that could help them chart a growth trajectory to reach more students in a sustainable way.
The Solution
Breakthrough hired Nell to lead their strategic planning effort. With Nell’s guidance, Breakthrough created an advisory committee of board, staff and key external stakeholders. Nell led the group to analyze the external environment in which Breakthrough operates, develop Breakthrough’s theory of change, refine Breakthrough’s vision and mission statements, and articulate the goals and objectives and corresponding financial projections of the next 3 years for the organization.
What Social Velocity Delivered
Marketplace Map
Theory of Change
Strategic Growth Filters
Revised Vision and Mission Statements
3-Year Strategic Plan and Budget
Year 1 Operational Plan Template
System for Monitoring the Plan Going Forward
The Results
Breakthrough board and staff are excited about their new strategic plan and the clarity it gives them about how and when to grow. In 2017 they expanded their program to be in three school districts, serving more than 1,425 students in grades six through college.