What Does It Do?

With Purpose into Action, your organisation can:

• Align activities with purpose – ensuring every effort contributes to your mission.

• Track progress – monitoring goals, outcomes, and areas for growth.

• Clearly communicate who you are and what you do – making it easier to engage stakeholders and funders.

Who developed this tool?

Created by experienced New Zealand evaluators Sarah McKay and Jane Higgins, Purpose into Action is built on years of community sector expertise. This tool helps organisations like yours navigate strategic planning with confidence and clarity.

How It Works

We collaborate with your key people to create a Theory of Change diagram, which we call a Strategic Map:

• Maps out your organisation’s purpose, objectives, values, and activities.

• Links these elements to outcomes.

• Becomes a valuable guide for strategic planning and stakeholder engagement.

• The process typically takes 3–4 meetings to complete.

What You’ll Receive

• A Strategic Map Diagram – A one-page visual summary of how your organisation operates and drives impact.

• A Strategic Planning Report – The key elements of the Strategic Map in report form.  

• A customisable Strategic Map template on Canva, allowing you to update and refine your plan as your organisation evolves.

Why contribution is important

Purpose into Action is based on the idea of contribution. This acknowledges that in the complex social environments we operate in, no single organisation or activity can address the issues our communities face on their own. By clarifying your organisation’s role and impact in this complex environment, this tool makes it easier to plan, adapt, and celebrate progress.

Get in Touch

For more information Contact us at sarah@sewn.org.nz to learn more.

Testimonials

"I recently had the pleasure of going through this process. It provided clarity for our staff, Board of Trustees around our core purpose and how we achieve outcomes for our community. It encouraged us to focus on what our key services really are, why we provide them and whether we are providing them effectively. As we develop changes are simple to make, with the final document being readily available to edit on Canva. This document is now a living part of our organisation, to be reflected on and adjusted when needed, while growing and changing with us." 

"By using this map to create new activities, or simply ensure that current activities are fit for purpose, both time and money are better spent. Staff can feel confident that delivery of core services fits within the purpose of the organisation and that outcomes are beneficial. Larger decisions about the future of the organisation are kept focussed within our overall purpose. I have no hesitation in recommending SEWN in providing this tool to grassroots organisations for the benefit of our communities." 

"The Strategic Map which serves as a visual representation of our organisation, has been really helpful. It simplifies discussions in planning by getting everyone on the same page, fostering synergy between our staff and board members, which helps with practical discussions about our strategic goals, ongoing resources, training and policies needed to support our work. We use the map in staff meetings, allowing team members to see how their work contributes to the organisation's larger goals. Its also been very helpful for writing job descriptions and for funding applications. The process is straightforward and low cost or free making it particularly valuable for grassroots community organisations like us."

Disclaimer:

This tool is licensed under The Creative Commons. We created this tool as a resource for the community sector. As such we ask that you give appropriate credit to the authors when using the tool. This tool may not be used for commercial purposes and if you remix, transform or build upon the material, you may not distribute the modified material. For further queries refer to https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/