American Conservatory Theater

http://www.act-sf.org

San Francisco, CA

Round –

Fall 2005

Project Type –

Full team

Project Focus –

Strategic Planning

Organization Type –

Arts & Culture

Organization

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.), founded in 1965, is nationally recognized for its groundbreaking productions of classical works and bold explorations of contemporary playwriting. A.C.T. nurtures the art of live theater through dynamic productions, intensive actor training, and ongoing community outreach programs. A.C.T. reaches more than 270,000 people in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Project Objectives

ACT was commissioned to help A.C.T. formulate a long-range strategic and financial overview that integrated the organization's goals and priorities with its financial capabilities. This would include specific action steps to move the organization toward achievement of the goals and priorities it already had identified in an earlier phase of strategic planning.

Project Overview

The ACT Team advised A.C.T.'s Board and senior management on strategic issues, developed key building blocks for updating A.C.T.'s strategic plan, and developed ideas for capitalizing on A.C.T.'s upcoming 40th anniversary season.

Key Recommendations

Extend current facility leases but retain future flexibility to purchase a building
Build a financial reserve and create parameters for using it
Increase Board and staff focus and capacity to improve fundraising results
Use a strategy tradeoff matrix to increase logic and permanence in decision-making
Build a stronger Board-staff partnership
Use A.C.T.'s 40th anniversary to increase ticket sales and contributions

Useful Items

Strategy tradeoff matrix: assessment tool used to increase logic and permanence in decision-making

Learn More About ACT for Nonprofits

Alumni: Volunteer with ACT