Youth Program Strategic Planning

We are seeking a skilled volunteer to assist You Matter 2 in developing a comprehensive strategic plan for our youth programs to ensure sustainability, growth, and long-term impact. Our organization provides structured enrichment, career readiness, and mental health support programs for middle and high school students in South Suburban Chicago. As we continue to expand, we need a clear roadmap that aligns with our mission, meets community needs, and strengthens our operational capacity.

The volunteer will work closely with our leadership team to assess current programs, including IGNITE, Discover U, Expressions Unleashed, and our mental health initiatives, to identify strengths and areas for growth. They will research and benchmark best practices from similar youth organizations and recommend strategies for program sustainability and scalability. Additionally, they will help define clear, measurable goals for program expansion, impact metrics, and long-term sustainability while identifying key strategic priorities such as funding diversification, community partnerships, program evaluation, and operational efficiency.

The final deliverable will be an actionable roadmap that outlines a step-by-step plan with timelines, milestones, and accountability measures for implementation. This project will take place over several weeks, with the volunteer dedicating 2-5 hours per week to working collaboratively with our team. We are looking for someone with experience in strategic planning, nonprofit management, or program development who can provide valuable insights and a structured approach to strengthening our youth programs.

This strategic planning project is critical to advancing our mission of closing opportunity gaps and empowering South Suburban youth to become confident leaders, engaged citizens, and future changemakers. By helping us develop a clear, actionable roadmap, this project will strengthen our ability to expand high-quality youth programs, secure sustainable funding, and enhance community partnerships—ultimately increasing our impact on middle and high school students.

With a well-structured strategic plan, we will be better equipped to grow our programs, reach more underserved youth, and create long-term opportunities for leadership, career readiness, and mental wellness support. Volunteers who assist with this initiative will play a direct role in shaping the future of our youth programs, ensuring they remain effective, scalable, and aligned with the evolving needs of our community.

By contributing their time and expertise, volunteers will help us move from short-term program planning to long-term sustainability, ensuring that our youth continue to receive mentorship, enrichment, and the resources needed to thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. Their work will have a lasting ripple effect, providing hundreds of young people with the tools to break cycles of poverty, navigate life’s challenges, and create meaningful change in their communities.

We are committed to setting this strategic planning project up for success by ensuring clear communication, strong internal support, and a well-prepared foundation for the volunteer. Our leadership team, including our Founder & CEO, Youth Program Coordinator, and Program Staff, is fully aligned on the need for this strategic plan and ready to actively engage in the process. We have already gathered key materials, including program data, andcurrent budgets, to provide the volunteer with a clear understanding of our work and the challenges we seek to address.

The outcomes of this project will be directly integrated into our organization’s decision-making process, guiding our approach to program sustainability, funding diversification, and long-term growth. The strategic plan will serve as a roadmap for staff, board members, and funders, ensuring alignment across all stakeholders.

To further support the volunteer, we will establish regular check-in meetings, set clear deliverables, and provide timely feedback to make collaboration efficient and impactful. Our team is excited and prepared to work alongside a skilled volunteer to ensure that their expertise translates into real, lasting impact for the youth we serve.