2024: Mission + Strategy’s Year in Review
by Judie Caribeaux, Chief Collaborations Officer
As we reflect on this past year, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to each one of you for being an integral part of such a successful and impactful year!
2024 has been a year defined by dynamic collaborations and transformative impact. We leaned into collaboration as a powerful strategy to help nonprofits strike a balance between their mission and strategic business solutions, achieving sustainable impact.
Client Engagements
This year, we engaged with organizations serving diverse sectors such as mental health, homelessness, disability services, special education, early childhood education, and healthcare. Despite their varied missions, these organizations shared a common goal: to harness collaboration to drive economic growth and social impact.
We are committed to being invested thought partners to nonprofits and the nonprofit field. Balancing head and heart, we help organizations align their mission with strategic business solutions. In an era of rapid change and complexity, we believe that true collaboration, rooted in authenticity and trust, is essential for nonprofits to create opportunities, navigate challenges, and advance their missions.
Events
Our commitment to thought partnership was demonstrated through our participation in speaking events alongside other respected and influential thought leaders in the nonprofit space throughout the year:
We presented at the IARF Illinois Association for Rehabilitation Facilities Annual Conference, The Arc of Illinois Executive Forum Leadership Conference, and the Associated Colleges of Illinois (ACI) Presidents Forum on capacity building via strategic collaborations.
We proudly sponsored SVP Chicago’s 2024 Fast Pitch Showcase and participated in events like The Big Buzz Idea Group Summit for Nonprofit Growth and Sustainability, the Axelson Center Symposium, “More Than Money: Philanthropy, Fundraising & Justice,” and the Forefront (Illinois) Mission Sustainability Initiative (MSI) Summit.
We engaged in the Wintrust Financial Corporation Government, Health and Nonprofit Coffee Talk and discussion on “The Power of Collaborative Leadership in Nonprofits.”
These events provided invaluable opportunities to drive innovation and best practices in the nonprofit sector.
Our Brand Relaunch
A significant highlight of 2024 was the relaunch of our brand. This initiative was aimed at better aligning Mission + Strategy's identity with our mission, vision, and the family of organizations we support. The new brand reflects our commitment to a collaborative nonprofit ecosystem that drives sustainable social impact through resource sharing, collective advocacy, and innovation. We believe this refresh will help us more effectively communicate our dedication to building resilient and equitable nonprofits and communities.
New Team Members
We were also excited to welcome new consultants to our team: Rebecca Clark and Donna Catalano. Rebecca's extensive experience in public and nonprofit service, particularly in special education and organizational management, makes her a perfect fit for our mission to ignite community transformation through collaboration. Donna brings over 35 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, with a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges organizations face. Their expertise and passion for driving positive change have already made a significant impact.
Client Reflections
Our client organizations have continued to inspire us with their resilience and innovation. In 2024, we were particularly impressed by their willingness to explore the principles and practices of collaborative leadership. This approach enhanced their team-building and leadership skills, built trust, improved communication within teams, and addressed challenges in team dynamics.
We deeply appreciated the creativity each of our client organizations brought to their projects and initiatives. Their stories highlighted the patience, hard work, and alignment required to navigate mergers, partnerships, and other collaborations. They found opportunities among the myriad risks our field faces daily, shifting from a scarcity to an abundance mindset to tackle their top organizational challenges. This abundance thinking helped identify options that might not have been considered otherwise.
Our hearts are filled with gratitude for the incredible journey and the impactful strides we have made together. Here's to a new year filled with continued growth, meaningful collaboration, and positive change!
Together, we are stronger.
If you’re interested in support for balancing your mission and business strategies, we’re here to help.
Mission + Strategy is an invested thought partner to your nonprofit organization. Through our Strategic Advising, Mergers & Partnerships, and Shared Back Office service solutions, we help nonprofits achieve alignment between their mission and business strategies.
