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Strategic Planning Kickoff
Launch process and align on shared approach.
Strategic Planning Initiative 2026
Overview of the Strategic Planning Initiative
NCPG’s 2026 Strategic Planning Initiative is designed to bring greater clarity and focus to who NCPG is, where the organization can have the greatest impact, and how it must evolve to move its mission forward in a changing landscape.
Strategic Planning
What is the Strategic Planning Initiative?
NCPG’s 2026 Strategic Planning Initiative is a multi-phase process designed to define the organization’s direction and establish the priorities that will guide its future. Within a constantly-evolving gambling landscape and growing complexity of gambling-related harm, this Initiative will help clarify NCPG’s role, establish key priorities, and determine where – and how – the organization can have the greatest impact.
Why Strategic Planning Matters Now
- A rapidly evolving gambling landscape.
- Changing needs across the problem gambling and responsible gambling field.
- A need to reassess NCPG’s role and priorities.
- Greater clarity and focus for NCPG’s future.
Perspectives and Insights Informing the Process
Stakeholder Perspectives
The perspectives of individuals, organizations, and other entities that work with and support NCPG are invaluable during this process. These stakeholders include those with lived experience and/or in recovery from a gambling problem, families and other loved ones impacted by someone’s gambling problem, NCPG State Affiliates, NCPG Members, Partner Organizations, and many other voices that shape our field.
Environmental Assessment
A broader assessment of NCPG and the environment in which it operates is also critical to the planning process. This work will examine the trends, technologies, products, markets, and changing needs shaping the field, alongside NCPG’s operations, priorities, programs, and resources. These insights will help identify emerging challenges and opportunities and where NCPG can have the greatest impact.
Emerging Themes from Stakeholder Feedback
- Greater transparency and context are needed. Members want more visibility into how decisions are made and greater context around NCPG’s priorities, direction, and organizational decisions.
- Questions exist about funding, independence, and industry influence. Some participants expressed concern about NCPG’s funding sources and whether donors support influences organizational priorities or positions. This feedback underscores the importance of greater transparency and clarity about how NCPG maintains its independence.
- Neutrality is both a strength and a source of tension. NCPG’s neutrality on legalized gambling allows diverse stakeholders to come together around reducing gambling-related harm. At the same time, we are hearing different expectations about what neutrality means and how it should be applied.
- State Affiliates want a stronger relationship with NCPG. Affiliates play a critical role in advancing the mission at the state and community levels, and we are hearing a desire for greater connection, collaboration, and clarity about the national and state relationship.
- Lived experience should have a stronger voice in our work. We are hearing an opportunity to more meaningfully engage people with lived experience and ensure their perspectives help inform NCPG’s education, advocacy, programs, and priorities.
How Stakeholder Feedback will be Used
Feedback from NCPG’s Strategic Planning Initiative will be utilized on a rolling basis from past, current, and future feedback-generating opportunities, such as focus groups and online stakeholder forms. The insights garnered from these conversations, focus groups, and discussions inform the Initiative at every stage.
Using these insights, the NCPG Board of Directors will identify key themes, opportunities, challenges, and areas needing greater strategic clarity as the planning process moves forward. It will be considered alongside research and analysis of the broader trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping NCPG’s work.
Follow the monthly NCPG Member Newsletter for updates and opportunities to stay engaged throughout the strategic planning process.
Strategic Planning
NCPG’s 2026 Strategic Planning Initiative
NCPG’s 2026 Strategic Planning Initiative is designed to bring greater clarity and focus to who NCPG is, where the organization can have the greatest impact, and how it must evolve to move its mission forward in a changing landscape.
