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Scenario Planning for Nonprofits in Uncertain Times with Carol Hamilton
Description
As nonprofit leaders move into 2026, uncertainty no longer feels episodic—it feels constant. Scenario planning offers nonprofit leaders a practical way to navigate uncertainty by shifting from reactive decision-making to clearer priorities, stronger alignment, and more confident, values-aligned choices—even when the future is unpredictable.
In this episode of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, host Carol Hamilton names the fatigue, overwhelm, and decision paralysis many leaders are carrying after this past year of heightened disruption. She introduces scenario planning as a practical, grounding strategy tool designed specifically for uncertain times. She discusses:
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What scenario planning and is not
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Why it is a tool that is particularly suited to the times we are in
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How scenario planning helps nonprofit leaders regain a sense of agency, clarify what's within their control, and align staff and board around thoughtful, values-aligned responses to multiple possible futures.
Through clear explanations and client examples, the episode shows how scenario planning can help leaders move from reacting and spinning to steering with intention.
Episode Highlights
00:00–02:00 | Naming the Reality of Nonprofit Leadership Right Now
02:00–03:20 | Scenario Planning - a tool for the times we are in
03:20–05:00 | What Scenario Planning Is—and Is Not
05:00–06:30 | Why Traditional Planning Often Falls Short
06:30–08:00 | Shifting From Overwhelm to Agency
08:00–09:45 | What the Scenario Planning Process Looks Like
09:45–10:45 | Finding Common Priorities Across Futures
10:45–12:00 | An Invitation to Lead with Intention
Important Links and Resources:
Quote from Mariame Kaba From "Read This When Things Fall Apart" Edited by Kelly Hayes
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