NADO Launches 2030 Strategic Plan

The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) plays a crucial role in supporting local and regional development organizations across the U.S. By advocating for effective policies, sharing best practices, and providing valuable resources, NADO is actively contributing to community development nationwide.

Recently, NADO embarked on a significant initiative to shape its vision for the future with the NADO Forward strategic plan for 2025-2030. This plan outlines a bold path for the organization over the coming decade, emphasizing collaboration and innovation in addressing the needs of its members and the communities they serve. PMA's Patton McDowell and Zach Perry played instrumental roles in the design of this strategic process.

After a year of extensive input from the NADO board and its membership, three key focus areas emerged during the Annual Training Conference held last week in New Orleans:

1. Ensure Member Success

• New Funding Opportunities: Expanding avenues for securing funding to better support local initiatives.
• Talent Pipeline: Strengthening the development of future leaders through mentorship and training programs.
• Ground Game Improvement: Enhancing communication and collaboration among member organizations to foster a stronger network.

2. Enhance Regional Expertise

• National Leadership: Positioning NADO as a leader in addressing regional issues through specialized working groups.
• Market Intelligence Expansion: Conducting research to provide valuable insights and data to support regional development organizations (RDOs).
• Collaboration Growth: Strengthening partnerships with national associations to enhance the effectiveness of regional initiatives.

3. Achieve Organizational Excellence

• Board Engagement: Fostering greater involvement from board members to ensure diverse perspectives in strategic planning.
• Financial Resilience: Developing sustainable funding strategies to support key programs and initiatives.
• Staff Excellence: Investing in competitive compensation and professional development to attract and retain high-quality staff.

A heartfelt thanks goes to Joe McKinney, Mireille Burgoyne, Laurie Thompson, Brian Kelsey, and the NADO Board's Executive Committee, including Rick Hunsaker, Matthew Dolge, Chris Brown, Nicole Griensewic, Charlie Baker, and Robert Venables, for their leadership and commitment to this important process.

As NADO moves forward, there is great potential for positive impact in communities across the country. To learn more about the work NADO is doing and how it may be affecting your community, visit their website or connect with a local development organization today.

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