In 2024, we set out to learn how our sector is centering equity in strategic planning. As part of this journey, we’re lifting up lessons and tools emerging from the field. You can read more about why we were interested in this topic and overall what we learned about equity-centered strategy in the first blog post of this series or learn more what readiness means in the second blog post: Priming Our Organizations and Ourselves: Readiness for Equity-Centered Strategy. 

In the second and our most recent post, we explored what it takes for a foundation to prepare for equity-centered strategy work — at both the individual and organizational levels. But what comes after readiness? Once a foundation has built its groundwork for equity, what does the actual strategy process look like?
 

Digging into the Process

We have found that how a foundation engages in strategy is just as important as the product that results from the process. Equity-centered strategy is grounded in the foundation’s readiness work and relationship with its community. The process of engaging in equity-centered strategy development takes time, going beyond the typical six to nine-month engagements that traditional strategy development takes. Typically, an equity-centered approach works in three phases: 

1. Phase 1: Grounding and Co-Creation (2-6 months)
2. Phase 2: Implementation (3-4 months)
3. Phase 3: Close Out and Celebration 
    

Phase 1: Grounding and Co-Creation

As consultants, we recognize that entering a foundation for a short period is a privilege. Building trust with staff and board members requires intention and care. This often includes establishing community norms, storytelling and addressing the power dynamics inside and outside the foundation. 

Crucially, we view the community, as well as the foundation staff and board as the experts. That is why the grounding phase emphasizes co-designing activities, clarifying roles and co-developing decision-making frameworks. The stronger the relationships and process built in this phase, the more meaningful and impactful the rest of the strategy development process becomes. 
 

Phase 2: Implementation

Once the groundwork is set, the process moves into implementation. Unlike traditional strategy approaches, where consultants often conduct “expert” research in isolation and return with suggested recommendations for the strategy, equity-centered strategy uses participatory methods that are done in collaboration with the community. 

This model of research decenters the foundation, and instead focuses on what the community wants to explore. Data synthesis also happens collaboratively through collective meaning-making, leading to a richer, more holistic understanding of the findings. All information is shared back to the community, which further build and strengthen the relationships between the foundation and the community. 
 

Phase 3: Close Out and Celebration 

Equity-centered strategy is about more than deliverables. Because the process is intentional, deep relationships are often formed as a result, and closing out the work is an opportunity for celebration, gratitude and joy. We’ve seen examples of this in practice from consultants sharing music playlists they created throughout the project, to hosting dance parties or to gathering for a final Zoom party. This work is hard; addressing systemic inequities takes courage and perseverance. That is why joy and appreciation are not the cherry on top, but are an essential part of the process for sustaining the work and honoring the journey together. 
 

Closing

Equity-centered strategy invites us to reimagine not just the outcomes of a strategy, but the process itself. By grounding in trust, co-creation and community, foundations can move beyond a transactional strategy toward a more relational and transformational approach. 

*Our definition of equity: The promotion of systems and practices that support just educational, economic, health and social outcomes for people regardless of race, ethnicity and other intersectional identities including gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, disability, religion and immigration status.

**How we define traditional strategy: We use the term traditional strategy to differentiate equity-centered strategy from other forms of strategy, but recognize this is a traditional strategic planning process typically occur over several months, but rarely no longer than six months for larger projects. Most traditional strategy brings in consultants to engage in secondary research, interviews and focus groups, culminating in synthesis and development of a recommended strategy. 

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