A Case Study in Organizational Program Strategy

THE CHALLENGE

In the wake of the pandemic, Project Iowa faced the challenge of navigating fluctuating demand, unpredictable funding, and organizational strain. With longstanding grants in question and a shifting workforce landscape, the team needed to reassess its direction. Their goal: sharpen focus on core programs, create greater impact, and engage funders and partners around a clear strategy.

THE INNOVATION WORKS® APPROACH

Project Iowa partnered with The Innovation Lab for a tailored one-day Innovation Works® strategy session. This immersive experience brought their leadership team together to:

• Map existing programs and resource use

• Identify high-potential initiatives

• Explore strategic program priority shifts over the next 12–18 months

• Align around actionable priorities for impact and growth

A series of ideation sessions paired with action sessions led to hands-on action planning in a collaborative, high-energy format.

THE OUTCOME

By the end of the day, Project Iowa had a concise 4-page strategic roadmap focused on four key areas:

• Connecting Adults to Employment

• Connecting Youth to Career Experiences

• Building Organizational Capacity

• Telling the Story
  

“Working with The Innovation Lab was an outstanding experience for our nonprofit team. The session was engaging and energizing from start to finish. Eric’s thoughtful and strategic questions helped us see our organization with fresh clarity, making it easy to identify our most impactful next steps. We left the day feeling aligned, motivated, and excited about the work ahead.”

-Julie Fugenschuh, Executive Director

POWERED BY PARTNERSHIP

This session was 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.