Strategic Plan
2023-2026
Learn more about the strategic priorities and goals currently guiding our work.
OUR PRIORITIES
This plan represents the collective work of the Board of Directors and staff. By focusing our efforts in these four areas, we hope to deepen the impact of our work and also expand our reach to more schools and families. Ultimately, we are seeking transformational, systems-level change that will endure.
Our Mission
Challenge Success partners with school communities to elevate student voice and implement research-based, equity-centered strategies that improve student well-being, belonging, and engagement.
Our Vision
Our vision is that educational systems value each student for their unique identities, assets, and individual definitions of success and effectively prepare them for the variety of opportunities and challenges they will encounter in school and beyond.
Our Equity Commitment
Challenge Success continuously examines and revises our work and seeks to disrupt patterns of inequity to further well-being, belonging, and engagement for each student, especially those for whom identity, culture, or socioeconomic status has resulted in barriers to access and success. We believe:
- Change starts with self, including active self-reflection to notice our own implicit biases and recognize how our lived experiences influence our perspectives and decision-making.
- All students, families, and communities have assets to build on and sustain.
- Centering design on those most marginalized by the current system benefits all students.
- Approaches to change must be systemic, context-based, and targeted at policies and practices.
Our Guiding Principles
We know from our research that well-being, belonging, and engagement are intrinsically connected and are critical components of student success.
We recognize that schools have the potential to play a major role in youth mental health by providing a positive, safe, and affirming environment for students.
We seek transformational, systems-level change in schools.
We are committed to continuing our efforts to center equity in our work.
We seek a broader impact on the PK-12 education system beyond our direct work with schools.
We value partnerships and collaborating with like-minded organizations.
Our Key Strengths
Students at the Center
We center the student experience in the change process and engage students as co-designers so that their voices are heard and valued.
Co-Design with Communities
We partner with community members to redefine student success and focus on well-being, belonging, and engagement with learning.
Research-Based, Equity-Centered Strategies
Our work is grounded in data and research-based practices to support continuous learning and improvement.
EQUITY AND ACCESS AT THE CORE OF OUR WORK
THREE-YEAR AMBITION
Broaden the set of schools served, deepen equity work within schools, and adjust CS content and capabilities to meet the needs of more diverse school communities.
GOALS
- Increase our ability to help all schools in the School Program prioritize equity in their CS design efforts.
- Serve more schools with higher percentages of historically marginalized students to better reflect the national demographics of K-12 schools.
- Continue to build an inclusive and equitable organization that can meet the needs of diverse schools.
ENDURING SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT AND IMPACT
THREE-YEAR AMBITION
Improve the program success rate/program efficacy (deeper sustainable systems-level changes) and implement a setting-level impact measurement process.
GOALS
- Improve our measurement of CS impact on various groups.
- Improve the school partner experience to ensure high-quality, consistent services.
- Maintain a high level of retention and satisfaction of schools for all CS services.
IMPACTFUL THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
THREE-YEAR AMBITION
Strengthen CS thought leadership status and reach more educators, caregivers, and school communities to deepen our direct, widespread, and systemic impact.
GOALS
- Increase awareness and continue to drive interest in CS service offerings to deepen our direct impact.
- Inspire and influence a broader audience of PK-12 schools beyond our direct services for increased widespread impact.
- Increase efforts to drive systemic change and mobilize others to prioritize student well-being, belonging, and engagement with learning.
SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MODEL
THREE-YEAR AMBITION
Adjust the CS business model and scale to improve organizational sustainability and support key strategic initiatives to deepen and expand our impact.
GOALS
- Grow by 20% over three years.
- Secure grant funding to support strategic initiatives.
- Maintain annual philanthropic support.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Make a Gift
As a 501c3 nonprofit, the depth and reach of our work is dependent on gifts from our community. Every gift, of every size, is honored and appreciated. Your contribution matters!
Continue Your Learning
Join us at an upcoming webinar, conference, or other training, as well as help spread the word about what our programming might offer other communities.
Make an Introduction
Word of mouth is the number one way that schools and families learn about us. Who do you know in your networks – near and far – who you might introduce to our work?