A Case Study in Imagining a New Future & Organizational Impact

THE CHALLENGE

For years, Habitat for Humanity of Dubuque & Jackson County has helped families achieve affordable homeownership and build stronger futures. With a significant pocket neighborhood development project on the horizon and growing housing needs across the region, the organization saw an opportunity to imagine a larger role in addressing affordable housing challenges.

THE INNOVATION WORKS® APPROACH

Habitat participated in a two-day Innovation Works® session designed to help board and staff leaders envision the organization's next chapter. A team comprised of board members and staff worked through a series of facilitated strategy exercises focused on some of the most important questions facing the organization. Through collaborative team activities, participants developed and pitched ideas related to:

• Board development and governance

• Strengthening operations

• Partnership & funding development 

THE OUTCOME

The Innovation Works® process provided the team with a structured approach to evaluating opportunities, making strategic choices, and building consensus around a shared vision for the future.

By the end of the session, Habitat had developed a focused strategic plan with:

• Clear organizational priorities

• Actionable next steps

• Defined milestones for measuring progress

• Strong alignment among board and staff leaders

Perhaps most importantly, the team left with a shared commitment to implementation and a renewed sense of possibility for how the organization can expand its impact and help more families access affordable housing in the years ahead.

“Thanks to the Gift of Innovation grant, we have firm ground to stand on. Our organization had been without a strategic plan for a few years, and through this process, we identified the areas of greatest need and mapped action-based courses for each program. Not only did we get the strategic plan we so needed, but we also came away with strengthened collegial bonds.”

Hilary Dalton, Executive Director

POWERED BY PARTNERSHIP

These sessions were made possible through the Gift of Innovation, a grant program powered by Dupaco Community Credit Union in collaboration with the Innovation Lab. The program customizes Innovation Works® engagements for nonprofits in Dupaco’s service areas, helping organizations unlock bold ideas, build alignment, and accelerate impact.