A SWOT analysis is an assessment instrument for identifying internal and external factors affecting the operations of an organization, like a non-profit. It is needed to identify and leverage the organization’s strengths, address weaknesses, seize opportunities, and mitigate threats in the market or industry. Consequently, it is a decision-making and strategic planning tool for ensuring the non-profit’s growth. The analysis should be performed periodically as organizational and market factors change. Therefore, it is sensible to have a standardized framework for conducting a SWOT analysis. This is why you would need a pre-made template like the one we have provided.
What This Template Offers
With this template, you can effortlessly identify and assess each of the four SWOT items – strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. It outlines the aspects to consider under each item. It also allows you to document your findings and formulate the action plan to leverage your competitive advantage, help you capitalize on opportunities, and mitigate threats limiting your organization’s progress. Lastly, its design has been used to make the template visually appealing and engaging during this overwhelming analysis.
SWOT Analysis Template
How To Use This Template
A template is needed to ensure no key considerations are forgotten in the SWOT analysis. Therefore, it acts as a guide. However, you must understand how to use it appropriately to reap its benefits. Here are instructions on how to go about it.
At the beginning of the template, there is an introduction section where you must document the SWOT analysis’s purpose, scope, and time frame. The purpose is the main reason for conducting the analysis. The scope is the extent of considerations the process will factor in, and the time frame is the allocated duration of the process, from start to completion. Include this information briefly in this part of the template.
PinSecondly, go to the strengths section. Here, you are expected to write down the strengths of your non-profit. These are positives or things you are doing right, differentiating you from other non-profits in your industry or community. They can be operational, financial, management, marketing, etc. For example, a strong volunteer base, high social media engagement, diverse revenue streams including donations and social fundraising, respected reputation, etc.
PinNext, in the weaknesses section, you should document areas within the non-profit that you need to improve. Examples include high staff turnover, slow adoption of trends, insufficient funding, limited online presence, etc. Note that identifying the weaknesses is not a fault-finding exercise; you should thus aim to be as objective and honest as possible. This part of the SWOT analysis marks the beginning of the development of the action plan.
PinThen, you need to record your organization’s opportunities in the template. These are external openings for your non-profit to grow or achieve any other objective. As such, opportunities can range from financial to technology advancements. Examples include new funding sources, emerging trends, potential collaborations, developing social events or issues, etc. This step would require extensive research on the market conditions at the particular time.
PinIn the subsequent section, you should outline the threats to the organization’s success. These include external crises, issues, or problems that negatively impact the non-profit’s operations. Threats could range from anticipated political changes, sunsetting grants, government regulations, economic downturns, inflation that increases operational costs, or increased competition.
PinThe last component of this template prompts you to summarize the findings of the analysis and develop action plans. You should include both immediate and long-term strategic initiatives. Also, any recommendations (tasks and responsibilities) identified can be assigned to specific team members.
PinWe have provided this template in Google Docs, Word template, and OpenDocument Text. You can select your preferred format. Each template has the same components – introduction, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, and evaluation and next steps.
How To Improve The Effectiveness Of Non-Profit SWOT Analysis
Using this template is one of many ways to improve the effectiveness of a SWOT analysis for a non-profit. A template offers a pre-established structure to guide you in conducting the analysis. However, you should consider the following to realize more benefits.
Research
A SWOT analysis depends on factual information about the non-profit and its market environment. Therefore, you must first gather all the relevant data and facts prior to using this template. Then, analyse this information as you fill in the template.
Collaboration
The SWOT analysis should be a collaborative effort. Therefore, you need to gather your team from the various departments of the organization and subject matter experts. This is because you need to collate diverse assessments, perspectives, and insights, consequently leading to a comprehensive analysis.
Regular analyses
The analysis is not a one-off activity. It must be conducted periodically to gain insights as the organization’s internal and external factors change. This ensures that you acquire up-to-date insights and are able to make decisions and strategies using accurate and reliable information.
Follow-up
The action plans developed at the end of the analysis should be followed through. There must be a schedule to monitor and review progress so that necessary adjustments can be made.
