Creating a compelling strategic plan can be fun. You and your team embark on a journey of organizational discovery, generating big ideas with the right stakeholders, and dreaming about the impact your nonprofit can make. These are inspirational and energizing activities. But, it’s like deciding to get in shape. You plan, buy the gym membership and workout gear, yet nothing has changed yet. The important (and sometimes hard) part is getting out of your warm bed on a cold February Monday morning and getting to the gym.

Despite headwinds and disruptions, it tends to grow—especially when measured in current dollars.Yet recession, the stock market, inflation, and other factors may influence whether it