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Aligning strategy,
identity, capacity, and facilities
with mission, vision, and values.
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Law & Social Justice
Boston MA
Strategy Identity Capacity
The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) is the statewide poverty law center. It’s mission is to “provide statewide advocacy and leadership in advancing laws, policies, and practices that secure economic, racial, and social justice for low-income people and communities.” Funded primarily from interest on real estate escrow accounts, MLRI suffered severe budget cuts in the years following the downturn in 2008. Also during this period, a new executive director took over from the founder, who had led the organization for 40 years. After substantial cutbacks and a gradual return to stable funding, MLRI asked Synthesis Partnership to guide a strategic planning process to aimed at optimizing MLRI’s advocacy efforts, enhancing its statewide leadership, and ensuring its sustainability.
Boston MA
Strategy Identity Capacity
In 2013 this 20-year-old organization was struggling with a very small budget, inadequate staffing, and an inactive board. In our first round of planning we focused much of the attention on developing a larger constituency of volunteers as a pipeline to board membership; leveraging varying levels of engagement to enhance visibility and fundraising; and using data strategically both internally and externally. Over the past two years the staff and budget have doubled; the board has been refreshed with new members, new structure, and new policies, and a new plateau has been reached, which now will be consolidated to prepare for future growth.
Boston MA
Strategy Identity Capacity
As it approached its 10th anniversary, the Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action (JALSA) had an impressive list of accomplishments to its credit, but faced multiple organizational development needs. It needed to focus programs, enlarge membership, increase funding and staffing, strengthen its board, and prepare for leadership succession from a founder who was looking toward retirement. Synthesis Partnership guided the development of a strategic plan that, through engaging a younger generation and encouraging their stepping up into leadership positions, put the organization in the strong and stable condition required for sustainability and succession.
Boston MA
Strategy Identity Capacity
In the 10 years since it last engaged in a full-scale strategic planning process the Lawyers Clearinghouse (the LC) increased the number of programs offered and the number of clients served, and doubled both staff size and budget. This change came at a time when funding for legal services was shrinking, with no indication that this decreasing available support will change, and the demand for services continues to increase. The LC asked Synthesis Partnership to assist with a scope-limited plan focused on sustainability and development, and the creation of a new mission statement that more accurately reflects the current work and objectives of the LC.