WMI 2025–2030 Strategic Plan
The Wells Mountain Initiative (WMI) undertook a six-month strategic planning process to guide its growth and deepen its impact through 2030 and beyond. This plan reflects input from over 200 contributors—including scholars, alumni, staff, and board members—and builds upon 20 years of success empowering young leaders in underserved communities, especially across Africa.
Why This Plan Matters
WMI refined its mission, vision, and values to better reflect its unique role: supporting exceptional scholars with access to higher education and lifelong investments in leadership development and community innovation.
This forward-looking plan sets a clear path for strengthening programs, sustaining funding, and ensuring long-term organizational leadership.
Mission
WMI advances access to university education, predominantly in Africa, and continues lifelong investments in exceptional scholars and alumni through start-up funding and leadership development as they innovate and lead social change.
Vision
Exceptional scholars and alumni are supported to realize their full potential and become leaders in creating the changes they want to see in their communities and, ultimately, the world.
Core Values
- The Power of Education – Unlocks agency and disrupts cycles of inequality.
- Altruism – Acting with integrity and service to others.
- Localization – Empowering those closest to the challenge to lead the change.
- Collective Impact – Leveraging partnerships and collaboration for greater outcomes.
- Lasting Transformation – Sustained commitment beyond education into social change.
Strategic Pillars
1. Programming & Evaluation
Enhancing mission-related outcomes through better data, analysis, and community engagement.
2. Resource Development & Branding
Securing diversified funding and elevating WMI’s public identity through a unified brand strategy.
3. Staff & Board Governance
Planning for leadership succession and building board capacity for long-term organizational health.
Key Aspirations
- Reach 4,000 scholars by 2045
- Expand alumni impact across economic and social sectors
- Elevate alumni as national and global change-makers
- Strengthen long-term, diversified funding sources
Strategic Goals
- Program Evaluation: Enhance mission-aligned outcomes for scholars and alumni
- Resource Development: Expand sustainable, diverse funding
- Governance & Succession: Plan for long-term leadership transitions
Action Plan
The Action Plan is a living document aligned with each strategic pillar. It provides measurable outcomes, accountability, and a shared vision between staff, board, alumni, and partners. It guides the organization to grow intentionally while remaining responsive to new opportunities.
Looking Ahead
We are committed to continued collaboration, innovation, and impact. Over this strategic period, WMI will better measure and report our progress while deepening our investment in the next generation of change-makers.
