NCAN’s Strategic Pivot to a Sustainable Membership Model
Ricochet helped NCAN rethink its membership model, using stakeholder interviews and member data to build a phased strategy that balances inclusivity with financial resilience.
What was holding NCAN back?
The National College Attainment Network (NCAN) works to close equity gaps in postsecondary attainment and has nearly 600 member organizations. Its mission was more critical than ever, but its membership structure had not kept pace. To scale its impact, NCAN needed a more sustainable, value-driven strategy that served the diverse needs of a growing network. That meant more than adjusting dues. NCAN wanted to rethink why organizations join and how membership works.
What did Ricochet build?
Ricochet started with a discovery phase built on in-depth stakeholder interviews and a close analysis of NCAN's member data and financial trends. Ricochet then led workshops with NCAN leadership to define core value propositions and find untapped growth opportunities. The result was a multi-phased Membership Model Strategy. Its roadmap gives NCAN data-backed recommendations on tiered pricing and enhanced member benefits, along with streamlined operating processes.
What changed for NCAN's members?
The new model ties membership directly to NCAN's strategic priorities. Tiered pricing gives organizations with diverse needs a fitting place in the network, and enhanced benefits give them clearer reasons to stay engaged. The framework balances mission-driven inclusivity with the financial resilience NCAN needs to lead the college attainment field for years to come, so members can count on a network built to last.
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