The main goal of this project is to develop a comprehensive growth strategy for Play Forever, a non-profit organization that provides recreation, education, and health services to seniors and youths in Toronto, Ontario. The strategy will help the organization capitalize on opportunities, leverage its strengths, and shape its future direction in order to better serve its target demographic of marginalized communities and low-income families.

To achieve the project goal, learners will need to complete the following tasks:

1. Conduct a thorough analysis of the organization's current operations, programs, and resources to understand its strengths and weaknesses.
2. Perform a competitive analysis to identify key players in the non-profit sector and determine their strategies, strengths, and weaknesses.
3. Identify potential growth opportunities for Play Forever in terms of new programs, partnerships, and geographical expansion.
4. Develop a marketing strategy to effectively promote the organization's mission and programs, targeting the right audience and stakeholders.
5. Propose a business strategy, including financial projections and resource allocation, to support the organization's growth objectives.
6. Design an implementation roadmap that outlines actionable steps, timelines, and performance metrics to monitor the progress of the growth strategy.
7. Prepare a final report and presentation that summarizes the findings, recommendations, and implementation roadmap for Play Forever's management and board of directors.

At the end of the project, Play Forever will receive:

1. A comprehensive growth strategy that covers new programs, partnerships, marketing, and financial planning.
2. A detailed competitive analysis of the non-profit sector and its key players.
3. An implementation roadmap that outlines actionable steps, timelines, and performance metrics for the growth strategy.
4. A final report and presentation that summarize the project's findings and recommendations for Play Forever's management and board of directors.

By engaging a team of MBA students from Rice University as consultants, Play Forever will benefit from their expertise in competitive analysis, project planning, business consulting, business strategy, and marketing strategy. In addition, the organization will gain fresh, experienced perspectives to address its strategic challenges and enhance its overall impact on the communities it serves.

1. Dedicated staff support: Play Forever will assign one or two primary contacts to work closely with the learners throughout the project. These contacts will be responsible for providing necessary information, answering questions, and offering guidance to ensure the learners have a thorough understanding of the organization's needs and objectives.
2. Access to data and information: Play Forever will provide learners with access to relevant data, reports, and internal documents to help them better understand the organization's current operations, programs, and resources. This information will be protected through a non-disclosure agreement to ensure confidentiality.
3. Regular meetings and communication: Play Forever's primary contacts will meet with the learners regularly, typically once a week, to discuss project progress, address any concerns, and provide feedback. This will ensure open communication and help maintain project focus.
4. Access to tools and technology: While learners are expected to be proficient in the necessary tools and technologies, Play Forever will provide access to any organization-specific software or platforms that may be required for the project.
5. Access to stakeholders: Play Forever will facilitate introductions and meetings with relevant stakeholders, such as board members, community partners, and program participants, to help learners gain additional insights and perspectives on the organization's needs and challenges.
6. Feedback and guidance: Throughout the project, Play Forever's primary contacts will review the learners' work, provide constructive feedback, and offer guidance to ensure that the project is aligned with the organization's goals and expectations.

By offering this support, Play Forever will help learners navigate the project effectively, gain a deep understanding of the organization's needs and challenges, and ultimately deliver a comprehensive growth strategy that will benefit the organization and the communities it serves.