Case Study: Life House Strategic Planning

LIFE HOUSE STRATEGIC PLANNING | 2024

Challenge: Life House, a nonprofit in Duluth, Minnesota dedicated to transforming the lives of unhoused and at-risk youth, sought a new strategic plan following a leadership transition and other changes within the organization.

Role: Northspan facilitated a strategic planning process that included considerable engagement, including a survey, interviews with staff, and focus groups for Life House youth. Through a series of workshops and refinement, the group developed a realistic three-year strategic plan centered on four key strategic directions:

  • Cultivating New Funding
  • Optimizing Work Environment to Support Staff
  • Incorporating Youth and Staff Feedback for Program Development
  • Developing and Strengthening Community Relationships

Results: Life House’s board approved the new strategic plan in January 2025, and the organization engaged with Northspan for quarterly planning sessions to keep the plan on track.

Reference: Amber Sadowski, Life House Executive Director, amber.sadowski@life-house.org