Next Stop, the Future of Cleft Care:
On Track to Three Million Smiles
Smile Train's Strategic Plan 2021-2026

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?

Beneficiaries
S1 (Children, Adults, & Families)

Partners
S2 (Medical, Institutions, Researchers)

Supporters
S3 (Donors, Volunteers, Ambassadors)

Governments & Multilaterals
S4 (e.g. WHO, G4 Alliance, UN)

Staff & Boards
S5 (Medical & Global)
Deliverables
What do we need to deliver for our Stakeholders?

1.
Meet the philanthropic goals of supporters through stories and data and match our offer to their needs (S3, S4)

2.
Innovate with partners and other stakeholders on mutually beneficial and impactful initiatives (S1,S2, S3, S4)

3.
Provide resources, give recognition, and share learnings for mutual benefit (S2, S4)

4.
Offer the best available treatment for beneficiaries through trusted local providers (S1, S2)

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?

6.
Develop sustainable localized processes to implement global fundraising

7.
Curate and disseminate inspirational content for fundraising and communications

8.
Analyze data to ensure informed decision-making and high-quality outcomes

9.
Seize thought leadership opportunities to drive innovative strategic alliances

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?

11.
Increase dialogue with our supporters to learn more about the aspirations behind their giving

12.
Broaden the contributing internal voices to foster a collaborative culture

13.
Create leadership structures that allow us to become more effective globally

14.
Strengthen internal communications so all employees and partners are energized by the WHY factor in their work

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?

16.
Provide the resources to deliver optimal partner and supporter communications

17.
Invest in systems and processes to support working and skill-sharing across teams and regions

18.
Invest in proven and reliable technology for all information systems and platforms

19.
Fund partners to achieve program scalability and quality, including comprehensive cleft care

20.
Invest in advocacy and awareness to advance the interests of beneficiaries