THE ESSENTIAL PLAN
A clear, low-lift first step to identify what matters most.
Why choose the Dept.1 Essential Plan?
Most growing orgs know they need to strengthen operations, technology, or internal processes — but don't have the time or clarity to figure out where to start. Or they aren't sure how to put that big, shiny strategic plan into practice.
The Essential Plan gives you a focused, low-lift assessment of your organization's current state and a short list of the priorities that matter most for the next 90 days.
No jargon. No big binders. No multi-month engagement.
Just clarity you can use.
What's included
The Essential Plan includes:
3 focused discovery sessions with your Executive Director
A review of up to 3 key organizational documents (strategic plan, annual goals, fundraising plan, etc.)
A Systems & Tools questionnaire
A Program Operations questionnaire
A review meeting to walk through your results
Everything is paced on your capacity, not ours.
What you'll receive
Organizational Priorities Summary: A one-page view of your highest-impact focus areas.
90-day Action List: Your top 3 priorities, each with practical next steps you can start right away.
These deliverables are intentionally brief and easy to share with staff or board members.
Who this is for
The Essential Plan is a strong fit for:
Directors who need a clear starting point
Small teams without internal support for operations or systems
Organizations preparing for planning, fundraising, or leadership transitions
Leaders who want clarity before investing in the organization
If you want a simple way to understand where you're at — without taking on a long consulting engagement — this is it.
Pricing
$2,000 flat rate.
4 - 6 week engagement.
Upfront payment.
Need something more?
If you think your organization needs deeper support — or you have more staff, programs, or systems in play — our Specialized or Activate plans offer additional discovery and more robust deliverables.
Drop us a message below and we'll send you the full breakdown or book a call and we'll help you find the right fit.
