FLOW: Guiding a Watershed Organization to Clarity and Connection
The Challenge: With its mission to safeguard the waters of the Great Lakes—a critical resource for millions of people and ecosystems—nonprofit environmental organization For the Love of Water (FLOW) needed to reassess the alignment between its unique strengths and the evolving environmental challenges in the region. They sought to prioritize efforts, clarify roles, and establish a strategic foundation for their work while fostering a healthier and more resilient team culture.
Our Process: We designed and facilitated strategic planning workshops that engaged FLOW’s board and staff in meaningful discussions about their mission, priorities, and internal dynamics. These workshops focused on identifying FLOW’s unique strengths—such as legal expertise, public trust advocacy, and community engagement—and aligning them with the urgent needs of the Great Lakes region. The sessions also emphasized operationalizing their strategy, including tools for prioritizing programs, assessing opportunities, and fostering a collaborative team culture. Incorporating stakeholder input, we addressed challenges like clarifying roles, refining decision-making processes, and ensuring strategic alignment with FLOW’s mission.
The Transformation: FLOW’s team has clarified their priorities and begun implementing strategies that align their strengths with the pressing environmental challenges of the Great Lakes region. They are fostering candid and collaborative conversations about how to work together effectively, ensuring their mission is advanced while nurturing a supportive team environment. By focusing on shared goals and developing practical tools, FLOW is building the foundation for long-term resilience and meaningful impact.