Openhouse is a San Francisco organization that provides support for LGBTQ+ seniors through direct services and community programs. In 2019, Openhouse wanted to explore how to make their services supportive of all LGBTQ+ seniors in San Francisco, with an emphasis on those who had been forced to demonstrate the greatest resilience in the face of longstanding racism, classism, homophobia, and/or transphobia. Openhouse hired Facente Consulting to facilitate the development of a new strategic plan to help guide them during this transition.
Facente Consulting worked with Openhouse’s board, leadership, and staff to facilitate a year-long strategic planning process that included a review of existing background materials about the organization as well as suggestions from dozens of staff, board members, donors, volunteers, and clients/community members. The strategic planning process faced several challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and leadership transitions that interrupted progress; however, the organization ultimately released a strategic plan in 2023.