New Strategies

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New Strategies Program

New Strategies is an invitation only advanced management education program conducted by Business for Impact at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. Unlike other programs for nonprofit leaders, New Strategies focuses exclusively on how to bolster and manage revenue for growth and success.

Founded in 2011, New Strategies became part of Georgetown University in 2015. Top-flight nonprofit and government experts are part of what is widely considered one of the most successful and useful programs of its kind. The program serves as a gateway to an ongoing support system designed to convert revenue strategies into action plans. Corporations or Foundations fund nonprofit executives invited to participate in the New Strategies program.

“New Strategies Symposium was the best nonprofit leadership program I’ve attended. While we moved to an online format, the program team didn’t miss a beat and presented an informative, rich and fun environment – keeping us engaged throughout the 4 week program! I’ve already shared many insights and learnings at my most recent board meeting, and with my team. I would highly recommend this program to my peers and would welcome the opportunity to send my senior team as well. I looked forward each Tuesday, to joining this creative and educational symposium, as it was the highlight of my week.”

How Your Organization Will Benefit

Since its launch, New Strategies has worked with more than 1,000 nonprofit executives who remain connected to the program via monthly support and services. The New Strategies network has provided past participants with an expanded and valuable perspective on the financial challenges and opportunities facing the field, including:

Flat or declining corporate cash contributions
Continued dependence on public funding
Lack of understanding and use of data by senior executives
Over-dependence on limited number of funders
Inaccurate financial reporting (including tax submissions)
Lost opportunities for securing non-cash contributions
Unclear and ineffective strategies for using social media
Fee-for-service/earned revenue challenges, including unrelated business income
Increased competition (90 new nonprofits created every day) and public confusion

“New Strategies is a wise investment in not-for-profit organizations of all sizes. The program introduces relevant revenue generating insights, provides small group education which successfully imparts knowledge, and interjects affirmations which build the confidence of leaders to innovate and grow.”

-Tycely W. (’21)

Program Content

Program administrators, Georgetown faculty, and teams of students help New Strategies participants put their organizations on a sound financial footing. This helps secure funds and services needed to achieve programming objectives and helps extract the most value from donated dollars and hours. Following topical plenary sessions, participants meet in specially curated small-group facilitation groups where nonprofit leaders can determine how best to integrate funding concepts into their own strategic plans.

Topics Covered

Board Engagement
Cause Marketing
Collaborations + Mergers
Corporate Funding

Donor Advised Funds (DAFs)
Data Improvement
Earned Revenue
Foundation Funding
Government Funding

Individual Giving
Overcoming Racial Bias in Fundraising
Peer-to-Peer Follow-Up
Social Media
Virtual Fundraising

“While I was hesitant to participate in the virtual platform, the time flew, the information was on point and it turned out to be an effective and efficient use of my time. I was still able to network while gleaning useful and practical information during a time when I needed it the most. I would highly recommend this program to my peers and hope to see many of my colleagues earn their certificates in the near future.”

– Lisa C. (’20)

Who Should Participate

Selected nonprofits are encouraged to enroll CEOs, executive directors, or other executive-level individuals responsible for generating and/or managing revenue. Program participants are expected to be able to enact new and evolving strategies within their organizations. Nearly half of all New Strategies’ participants are the CEO or executive director of their organization. Others included vice presidents of development (or equivalent), CFOs, and project or program directors with financial responsibilities. New Strategies helps executives develop strategies and adopt new concepts (e.g. effective use of evolving technology) needed to increase and diversify revenue streams.