EMPOWERING TOMORROW: Innovate. Partner. Thrive.
Strategic Plan THRIVE is Northern Illinois Food Bank’s roadmap for
2026–2030. It outlines how the organization will respond to rising food insecurity, honor the dignity of neighbors, and build a more equitable charitable food system. At its core, THRIVE is about evolving — from simply meeting urgent needs to helping people and communities truly
thrive long term.
“When we come together, we lead the way
to better tomorrows.”
– Julie Yurko
Strategic Plan THRIVE Goals
Goal #1
Provide HELP AND HOPE TODAY by providing fresh, nutritious groceries
to our neighbors.
Goal #2
Help our neighbors THRIVE TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE through innovative
partnerships in hunger, healthcare and advocacy.
Goal #3
EVOLVE the Food Bank to meet the needs of 2030.
Strategic Plan THRIVE StrategiES
Goal #1
Provide HELP AND HOPE TODAY by providing fresh, nutritious groceries
to our neighbors.
Volume:
Innovate with our network and donors to effectively respond to the current record-setting levels of demand.Equitable Access:
Champion equitable access across our 13-county region, ensuring that no matter the zip code, people have the help they need.Neighbor Experience:
Transform the charitable food system to meet the unique and diverse needs of our neighbors, by working together with our network to promote convenience and dignity.Nutritious and Desirable:
Expand the supply of highly sought-after foods, with a focus on fresh, nutritious groceries that nourish and uplift our neighbors.Goal #2
Help our neighbors THRIVE TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE through innovative partnerships in hunger, healthcare and advocacy.
Goal #3
EVOLVE the Food Bank to meet the needs of 2030.
To best serve our neighbors and partner with communities, we will enhance our expertise, operational excellence, and integration across critical domains.
Fundraising
Reimagine fundraising to inspire transformational investments in the Food Bank to support our neighbors and communities.Data
Advance our use of data to make neighbor-centered decisions that we trust.IT
Strengthen our IT backbone to ensure security, continuity, and effectiveness. Improve the technology experience for neighbors, volunteers, donors and staff.Agency Network
Match our agency network support and structure to neighbor-centered, equitable access, and volume strategies.Team Structure and Support
Mature our organizational structure and staff expertise to deliver our next generation of strategies.Food Sourcing
Continue to evolve food sourcing and distribution towards cost effective approaches to nutritious and desirable food.How we’ll measure our progress
Here’s how you can get involved
additional resources
