Next Stop, the Future of Cleft Care:
On Track to Three Million Smiles
Smile Train's Strategic Plan 2021-2026
![smiling girl](/sites/default/files/styles/3_2__720x480/public/2023-03/stph-strat-plan-header.jpg?itok=NhjxhCgO)
Smile Train’s journey began with an idea: Local experts could provide cleft care to those in need more sustainably than the prevailing mission-trip-based model. More than 1.5 million cleft surgeries, and 2,100+ empowered doctors, nurses, speech therapists, nutritionists, dentists, and so many others later, this idea has powered us to become the global leader in cleft care.
An idea can provide a lot of momentum, but it can’t lay track to an unknown future. For that, you need a map. Next Stop, the Future of Cleft Care: On Track to Three Million Smiles is Smile Train’s detailed itinerary to our next five years of exponential growth.
Imagine — more than three million children who may once have been condemned to a life of sickness, hunger, and isolation now living with smiles and hope.
All because of the power of a single idea and those — like you — who dared to believe in it.
Together, we will reach our destination and change the world, one smile at a time.
Download Our Strategic Plan
Strategic Plan Focus
Stakeholders
Who are our Stakeholders?
![Two kids smiling](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2023-03/alex-and-kendra-og.jpg?itok=mu0Xxs75)
Beneficiaries
S1 (Children, Adults, & Families)
![Smiling doctor](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2023-03/strategic-plan-partners.jpg?itok=ghZHfLdR)
Partners
S2 (Medical, Institutions, Researchers)
![Smiling child and parent](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2023-03/strategic-plan-supporters.jpg?itok=t1JXb8ff)
Supporters
S3 (Donors, Volunteers, Ambassadors)
![Staff at the UNGA](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2023-03/strategic-plan-unga.jpg?itok=q-mk4Mso)
Governments & Multilaterals
S4 (e.g. WHO, G4 Alliance, UN)
![Smile train staff member giving a talk](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2023-03/strategic-plan-staff.jpeg?itok=eBHB2c81)
Staff & Boards
S5 (Medical & Global)
Deliverables
What do we need to deliver for our Stakeholders?
![Smiling girl](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2023-03/strategic-plan-deliverables-1.jpeg?itok=3hqoenXq)
1.
Meet the philanthropic goals of supporters through stories and data and match our offer to their needs (S3, S4)
![Woman doing medical training](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2023-03/stategic-plan-deliverables-2.jpeg?itok=myGyDsRm)
2.
Innovate with partners and other stakeholders on mutually beneficial and impactful initiatives (S1,S2, S3, S4)
![Opening of hospital](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2023-03/stategic-plan-deliverables-3.jpeg?itok=yyIzTtgI)
3.
Provide resources, give recognition, and share learnings for mutual benefit (S2, S4)
![Doctors with patient](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2023-03/stategic-plan-deliverables-4.jpeg?itok=8lcFnEy0)
4.
Offer the best available treatment for beneficiaries through trusted local providers (S1, S2)
![Smile train staff member presenting at conference](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2023-03/strategic-plan-deliverables-5.jpeg?itok=CBf1Eyvw)
5.
Serve as the cleft thought leader to support planning and innovation in health service delivery (S1, S2, S4, S5)
Capacities
What processes do we need to excel at?
![Ride for smile train participants](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2023-03/strategic-plan-six.jpg?itok=q_rPyGji)
6.
Develop sustainable localized processes to implement global fundraising
![Doctor with patient](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2023-03/strategic-plan-seven.jpg?itok=7vyjJdY7)
7.
Curate and disseminate inspirational content for fundraising and communications
![computer](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2023-03/strategic-plan-eight_0.jpg?itok=WK3IO-Gp)
8.
Analyze data to ensure informed decision-making and high-quality outcomes
![Smile train ceo giving talk](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2023-03/strategic-plan-nine.jpg?itok=06ABcuvG)
9.
Seize thought leadership opportunities to drive innovative strategic alliances
![Patient and child](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2023-03/strategic-plan-ten.jpg?itok=FMfupqQK)
10.
Build reliable and flexible grant and finance systems and processes to underpin robust global growth
Growth
Where do we need to grow in people & culture?
![Smile train Team Empower Supporters](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2023-03/why-do-we-give.jpg?itok=jxoyzt7g)
11.
Increase dialogue with our supporters to learn more about the aspirations behind their giving
![Conference speaker](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2023-03/strategic-plan-12.jpg?itok=EXxBj5B-)
12.
Broaden the contributing internal voices to foster a collaborative culture
![Children smiling](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2023-03/stategic-plan-13.jpeg?itok=A187gPbN)
13.
Create leadership structures that allow us to become more effective globally
![Smiling child](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2023-03/stategic-plan-14.jpg?itok=nhNIghqp)
14.
Strengthen internal communications so all employees and partners are energized by the WHY factor in their work
![Smile train staff](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2023-03/stategic-plan-15.jpeg?itok=519W5A2l)
15.
Recruit and invest in people with a passion for innovation, excellence, and results, with a commitment to diversity and inclusion
Investment
What resources & infrastructure do we need?
![Child smiling with before and after picture](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2023-03/strategic-plan-16.jpg?itok=GLELoGko)
16.
Provide the resources to deliver optimal partner and supporter communications
![Mother feeding baby](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2023-03/strategic-plan-17.jpg?itok=xB2osVv6)
17.
Invest in systems and processes to support working and skill-sharing across teams and regions
![Smile train app on phone](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2023-03/strategic-plan-18.jpeg?itok=orXv2OTQ)
18.
Invest in proven and reliable technology for all information systems and platforms
![Doctor and patient](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2023-03/strategic-plan-19.jpeg?itok=ttogd2IO)
19.
Fund partners to achieve program scalability and quality, including comprehensive cleft care
![smiling child](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2023-03/strategic-plan-20.jpg?itok=8nsMDhlz)
20.
Invest in advocacy and awareness to advance the interests of beneficiaries