Step 3: How are you going to change the world?

What you want to do is the easy part, putting it into action is the tough one

Now you have a solid idea that you can quickly and easily explain to people, and that's awesome.

But that's all you got.

So you just pitched your idea in the elevator to Bill and Melinda Gates, they love it, now you got them hooked. The first thing they will ask you is what's the plan?

What's the Plan?

Reverse-engineer your outcomes

Let's say you want to start a Llama Rescue Habitat, you would measure your outcomes by the number of Llamas you rescue every year.

Now let's reverse-engineer this outcome:

  • Identify the size of the problem: How many Llamas need to be rescued right now? Nationally? Locally?
  • What's the Where: Where will you house the Llamas? Is there a site you can share or rent? What are the legal and insurance issues with your location? How will the Llamas get from the road-side petting zoo to your habitat? How many Llamas can it hold?
  • People Power: How many people will it take to run a Llama Rescue? Full time, Part time, volunteer?
  • Details, Details, Details: What will the Llamas eat? Why are you uniquely qualified to rescue Llamas? Walk us through a typical day at the Llama Rescue.
  • Funding Diversity: How many revenue sources are you expecting to have? Will you generate revenue? Are you a great grant writer? Are you President of the I Like Llamas Society?
  • Long-Term Vision: What is your 5-year plan, your 10-year plan? How long will it take to build the habitat once you get the funds? How long will it take to get the funds? Will you have to expand eventually? Will you have Llama Rescue Habitats in every major city?

If you can cover the above points in a logical way - you've got your plan!

Homework:

Put this plan on paper - it should be 3-5 pages and tweet me a link to it @tivonidevor

Below are some links that will help you design a non-profit program:

Overview of Non-Profit Program Planning

SLIDESHOW: Presentation for Dallas Center for Nonprofit Management for the Nonprofit Management Certificate Program - Part 1 of Program Planning and Evaluation.


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