13 SMART Goals Examples for Nonprofit Organizations

Nonprofit organizations often operate on limited resources yet still strive for big results. Without a doubt, setting practical goals is essential to achieving success in any organization.

The SMART method can help nonprofits focus and maximize their time and resources. For those looking to create SMART goals, this post covers examples of SMART goals designed for nonprofit organizations.

What is a SMART Goal?

The SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-based) framework will enable nonprofit organizations to establish practical goals.

Want more clarity? Let’s dive deeper into each SMART element:

Specific

Nonprofit organizations often have ambitious goals—from feeding the hungry to providing medical care for those in need. But without specificity, efforts can be mired in ambiguity and a lack of direction. Hence, nonprofits should focus on creating precise goals to ensure their mission is successful.

Measurable

Measuring progress is crucial for nonprofits to understand how their efforts produce outcomes and whether they are making a real impact. It’ll be easier to evaluate and adjust strategies based on results.

For instance, if a nonprofit wants to reduce crime in a local community, quantifying success could include metrics such as arrest rates and incidents of vandalism over time.

Attainable

It would be best to recognize the importance of being realistic when developing your nonprofit goals. Without a proper plan, you could fail to meet expectations and fall short of your desired outcomes. You won’t be motivated to stay involved with the project or task.

Relevant

Your core values should be at the forefront of your goal-making process, as this will ensure that your ambitions align with what you truly value in life. Once you have identified and set relevant goals based on your values, you can push forward in times of difficulty.

Time-Based

A deadline keeps you energized when completing each milestone of your success journey. Writing out timelines for each checkpoint is highly beneficial since it provides visible landmarks and encourages goal-oriented thinking.

13 SMART Goals Examples for Nonprofit Organizations

Here are 13 examples of SMART goals for nonprofit organizations:

1. Increase Donor Base

SMART Goal: To ensure our nonprofit can keep providing services and support in the long run, I want to increase our donor base by 15% within 6 months. I’ll use surveys and focus groups to better understand our current donor base and create an appealing experience for new donors.

Specific: This goal explains the desired outcome (15% growth in donor base) and your steps to reach it (surveys and focus groups).
Measurable: You can measure the growth of your donor base over 6 months using key metrics.
Attainable: Given the right resources, this SMART goal is definitely achievable.
Relevant: Gaining more donors will help your nonprofit secure long-term funding.
Time-based: You should expect success at the end of 6 months.

2. Secure Funding Sources

SMART Goal: For one year, I’ll identify and secure 10 new funding sources for our organization to ensure a reliable and consistent stream of resources. I hope to research existing grants, donations, sponsorships, etc.

Specific: The goal clearly states the objective and how it will be accomplished.
Measurable: The company can track the number of new funding sources secured.
Attainable: Researching existing grants and soliciting donations is a feasible way to secure new funding.
Relevant: This is a crucial objective for nonprofit organizations that need reliable sources of resources.
Time-based: The statement is to be completed within one year.

3. Strengthen Brand Reputation

SMART Goal: I want to increase our organization’s public recognition by the end of 6 months. I aim to strengthen our brand reputation and promote positive reactions to our nonprofit organization.

Specific: The goal is clear. The person wants to increase the organization’s public recognition and strengthen the brand reputation.
Measurable: Ensure public recognition of the organization’s brand is assessed within 6 months.
Attainable: With a well-thought-out strategy and a dedicated team, it is possible to increase public recognition of the nonprofit organization.
Relevant: This goal applies to the growth and success of the organization.
Time-based: Goal attainment will be achieved at the end of 6 months.

4. Build Connections With Community Partners

SMART Goal: I’ll establish contact and build connections with three new community partners for the 9 months ahead. These partnerships should help us more effectively reach our target audiences and increase the impact of our initiatives in the community.

Specific: You plan to contact three new community partners.
Measurable: Track the relationships you form over the following 9 months.
Attainable: With the right effort, you should be able to connect with at least three new partners.
Relevant: These partnerships help your organization better reach its target audiences.
Time-based: You should aim to form new relationships within 9 months.

5. Develop New Programs and Services

SMART Goal: Within 8 months, I will develop two new programs and services for our organization. These initiatives should expand our reach to a new audience, strengthen our relationships with partners, and generate more revenue.

Specific: Develop two new programs or services for the organization.
Measurable: The success of the new initiatives should be measured in terms of reach, relationships, and revenue.
Attainable: Creating two new programs or services within 8 months is definitely possible.
Relevant: The initiatives should expand the organization’s reach and resources to create more opportunities.
Time-based: The goal should be achieved within 8 months.

6. Leverage Technology

SMART Goal: I’ll use technology to increase the organization’s efficiency and cost-effectiveness within 7 months. I will integrate new solutions and software systems to streamline operations, increase collaboration, and reduce manual labor.

Specific: The person will use technology to increase efficiency and reduce labor costs.
Measurable: Ensure that the new solutions and software systems are integrated correctly to maximize the organization’s efficiency.
Attainable: This SMART goal is achievable if you take the time to research and implement the best technology solutions.
Relevant: Technology is a great way to improve organizational efficiency and reduce costs.
Time-based: Success is anticipated within 7 months.

7. Learn to Invest in People

SMART Goal: Over the next four months, I’ll have invested in at least 5 team members who need additional training and mentoring to help them grow professionally. I intend to support their professional development and create a culture of success for all team members.

Specific: This goal is about actively investing in 5 team members by providing additional training and mentoring.
Measurable: This can be evaluated by the number of team members receiving training and mentoring.
Attainable: Investing in team members is doable within the given time frame.
Relevant: This is relevant as it helps create a culture of success and supports professional development.
Time-based: Four months are required to accomplish this particular goal.

8. Streamline Operations

SMART Goal: I want to create and implement a plan for streamlining operations in the organization to reduce overhead costs by 15% within 6 months. I’ll do this by analyzing current processes and identifying areas for improvement using data-driven decision making.

Specific: The goal details the objective and what will be done to achieve it.
Measurable: You could look at the percentage of overhead cost reduction.
Attainable: This goal is possible because reducing overhead costs in 6 months is realistic.
Relevant: This is pertinent to making operations more efficient and cost-effective.
Time-based: You have a 6-month window for achieving the goal.

9. Improve Communication

SMART Goal: My aim is to improve team communication by providing better tools, resources, and training. In the following 8 months, I want to create a culture of open communication and collaboration among our team.

Specific: You aim to improve team communication by providing better tools, resources, and training.
Measurable: This goal can be measured regarding team collaboration and communication.
Attainable: This is reachable as the individual intends to create a culture of open communication and collaboration with the team.
Relevant: The statement is appropriate; communication and collaboration are essential for any organization.
Time-based: The SMART goal has an end date of 8 months.

10. Increase Volunteer Engagement

SMART Goal: By the end of 5 months, I’ll develop an initiative to increase volunteer engagement in our organization by 25%. I want to guarantee volunteers can make meaningful contributions and that our nonprofit is making the most of their talents.

Specific: This goal explicitly states what the person wants.
Measurable: Determine the increase in volunteer engagement each month using surveys and interviews.
Attainable: The timeline and percentage of increased engagement are reasonable.
Relevant: This aligns with the nonprofit’s mission of engaging volunteers more effectively.
Time-based: You have 5 whole months to reach success.

11. Update Website and Social Media

SMART Goal: I will update our website and social media pages with content relevant to our mission by the end of this month. We will engage our target audience and provide them with the information they need in an easy-to-digest format.

Specific: You know the platforms to be updated and when they must be completed.
Measurable: Measure how many website and social media pages have been updated this month.
Attainable: Updating the website and social media content is absolutely doable.
Relevant: The goal is suitable for engaging and providing our target audience with helpful information.
Time-based: Goal achievement is expected by the end of this month.

12. Enhance Leadership Capacity

SMART Goal: I’ll strive to provide leadership training opportunities to all staff members for 6 months. That will enable our organization to have the necessary capacity to lead effectively and with confidence.

Specific: This goal outlines what you need to do (provide leadership training) and how often you need to do it (for 6 months).
Measurable: You can count the number of employees who have completed the program.
Attainable: Providing leadership training is possible with appropriate resources.
Relevant: Leadership capacity within the organization will increase with proper training.
Time-based: The goal should be achieved within 6 months.

13. Optimize Financial Resources

SMART Goal: I will develop a plan for the more efficient use of financial resources to reduce unnecessary costs and maximize investments within four months. That should help us better allocate funds and remain on track to achieving our mission.

Specific: Develop a plan to optimize the use of financial resources.
Measurable: You can track whether or not your plan is implemented correctly and efficiently.
Attainable: Reducing costs and maximizing investments is a possible task.
Relevant: Improving financial resources is directly related to the success of your organization’s mission.
Time-based: You should expect the plan to be complete after four months.

Final Thoughts

Nonprofit organizations must have SMART goals to measure success. Whether you are a board member or volunteer, the SMART system will make sure that your efforts are having an impact.

By breaking down larger objectives into smaller steps, organizations will ensure the entire team steadily progresses toward the overarching goal.

The examples provided in this article serve as starting points for creating practical SMART goals for any nonprofit organization.