Local Development Districts (LDDs)
LDDs are often a good initial point of contact when beginning a strategic planning process. They offer a wide array of resources and can provide useful technical assistance covering many topics. LDDs can also provide direction in the implementation of a strategic plan.

Online Tools and Training

These topical resources include online tools and training that can help local leaders forge change in their communities.

Steps in building community capacity
Future Generations, located in Franklin, West Virginia, provides a seven-step process for readying a community to undertake significant community actions that lead to change.

Organizational management for nonprofits
The Innovation Network offers guidelines for developing strategic plans and technology plans, as well as other useful management tools for nongovernmental organizations that can be downloaded or used online for free.

Similarly, the USDA's Rural Information Center is a rich resource for volunteer and nonprofit organizations. RIC focuses on volunteer recruitment/management and financial management, and provides funding and general resources needed to start and maintain a nonprofit organization.

Community Strategic Planning

Community Toolbox
The toolbox is a broad list of tasks necessary to create and sustain community health and development programs. Included are sections on leadership, evaluation, advocacy, strategic planning, community assessment, and grant writing. Each section includes a description of the task, its advantages, step-by-step guidelines, examples, checklists of points to review, and training materials.

The National Civic League
The National Civic League provides technical assistance, training, and research to assist community problem solving. Its Web site provides an annotated list of the league's publications and ordering information.

Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community (EZ/EC) Program—USDA Office of Community Development
A presidential initiative designed to provide economically depressed rural areas with opportunities for growth and revitalization, the EZ/EC initiative embraces community-based partnerships and strategic vision for change. The site offers resources and guides on creating, implementing, and funding strategic plans for rural communities.

W.K. Kellogg Collection of Rural Community Development Resources
This site lists publications on community development topics, including strategic planning. Publication annotations include information on the audience/purpose, the content and publication format, and availability.

Nonprofit Strategic Planning

Strategic Planning (in nonprofit or for-profit organizations)
This comprehensive Web site offers a broad range of information about strategic planning, from basic guidelines to resources for online training.

Stronger Non-Profits
Strengthening Non-Profit Performance: A Funder's Guide to Capacity Building, by Paul Connolly and Carol Lukas under the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, synthesizes the latest in capacity building research and practices. The book evaluates numerous logic models and a design blueprint for organizational planning.
Contact: Wilder Publishing Center, 919 Lafond Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104; phone 800/274-6024; www.wilder.org
Cost: $35.00

Strategic Planning
Strategic Planning Basics
Practical Planning Models
Frequently Asked Questions
Non-ARC Resources for Community Planning