Setting SMART(IE) Goals

Last week I was working with a colleague to develop a short training on SMART goals. You are probably familiar with them: 

S-Specific 

M-Measurable 

A-Achievable 

R-Realistic 

T-Timebound 

But have you heard of SMARTIE goals? 

One of the goals I set for myself this year, was to be more intentional about our work with communities to achieve equity in all its forms. 

So, I was excited to learn about SMARTIE goals. I only wish I had come up with SMARTIE goals! I found them when I came across a post from The Management Center. 

They define SMARTIE as Strategic, Measurable, Ambitious, Realistic, Time-bound, Inclusive, and Equitable. 

This approach can help your organization’s commitment to racial equity and inclusion explicit and directs you to actionable steps.

For example, if your group writes this goal: “We will disseminate X number of community resource guides by the end of the year” you might rewrite it to be more inclusive and equitable. The SMART goal becomes SMARTIE by saying explicitly: “We will consult with X community members in the neighborhoods we serve to get feedback before finalizing our resource guide.” 

Want to bring this approach into your own organization?

We’ve created a simple, easy-to-use template to help you get started.

Download our SMARTIE Goals for Nonprofits Template and begin setting goals that are not only strategic and measurable—but also inclusive, equitable, and deeply aligned with your mission.

Let’s move from good intentions to intentional action—one SMARTIE goal at a time.