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Steps to Hope Strategic Planning Survey — Board & Staff

Serving survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Polk County, NC and the surrounding region since 1985
Purpose of This Survey

Steps to Hope is developing a strategic plan to guide the organization over the next two to three years. This survey is for our board members, leadership, staff, and regular volunteers — the people who know the organization from the inside. Your candid input will directly shape the agenda and discussions at our upcoming on-site strategic planning retreat, and help set the organization's priorities for the years ahead.

There are no right or wrong answers. The most useful responses are the honest ones. Most questions take just a moment to check a box; the open-ended questions are optional but valued.
How to complete and return this survey

☐ Follow the instructions for rating questions.
☐ Write as much or as little as you like on the open-ended questions.
☐ This survey is open until Friday October 23, 2026 at 11:59 PM.

Confidentiality: Responses are collected for planning purposes only and are reported in summary form. Individual responses are kept confidential and are not attributed to any one person. You may complete this survey anonymously.
About You

This section helps us understand the range of perspectives. It is optional, and no response will be tied to your name.
1.Which best describes your primary role with Steps to Hope?
2.How long have you been involved with Steps to Hope?
Mission, Vision & Values

Our current mission is to provide safety and assistance to individuals affected by domestic violence or sexual abuse through emergency shelter, client advocacy, and education.
3.If you could change or add anything to our mission or vision, what would it be?
Organizational Strengths & Challenges
4.In your view, what does Steps to Hope do best? What are our greatest strengths?
5.What are the biggest challenges or obstacles the organization faces right now?
Programs & Services
6.How effective is each program at meeting the needs of the people it serves?
Poor
Fair
Good
Very Good
Excellent
Not Familiar
Emergency shelter
24-hour crisis hotline
Client advocacy & case management
Court & legal advocacy (orders of protection)
Counseling center
Support groups (DVIP, Women's Group)
Empowerment programs (Empower Martial Arts, EmpowerHer Self-Defense)
Prevention & community education
Youth programs (Step by Step Summer Camp)
Thrift Store / Thrift Barn operations
7.Which one or two programs should we invest in and grow over the next three years? Why?
8.Are there services or programs we should add, or unmet needs we are not addressing? Are there any we should scale back?
Internal Operations, Capacity & Culture
9.What one change would most improve how the organization operates day to day?
Financial Sustainability
10.Where do you see the greatest opportunities to strengthen our funding and financial footing?
Community Presence & Partnerships
11.Which relationships or partnerships should we strengthen or build over the next three years?
Looking Ahead: Strategic Priorities
12.How much should each of the following be a priority over the next 2–3 years?
Not a Priority
Low
Medium
High
Top Priority
Expanding shelter capacity or housing options
Growing prevention and community education
Strengthening counseling and mental-health services
Deepening services for children and youth
Improving staff capacity, pay, and retention
Diversifying and growing funding
Investing in facilities and infrastructure
Expanding the geographic area we serve
Strengthening data, technology, and accountability systems
Raising community awareness and visibility
13.If Steps to Hope is thriving three years from now, what does that look like? What have we accomplished?
14.What is the single most important thing the board and staff should focus on at the retreat?
15.Is there anything else you would like the planning team to know?
Thank you. Your insight is a gift to the people we serve.