Strengthening communities by supporting CF leaders with practical, customized assistance and advice.
WE LISTEN
We developed the following services in response to what leaders in the field told us:
Strategy
Strategy is key to driving change. We can provide guidance and added capacity in any of the strategy lifecycle phases, helping foundations set, assess, and refine their strategic direction by drawing on data, analysis, and community perspectives. We co-create the plan so that it is realistic, actionable, and measurable, and we employ a coaching model to help increase capacity and skills on the team while increasing the practical application of the plan.
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Our strategic planning work is co-designed and a custom fit. It starts with an environmental scan, data gathering that includes staff, board and stakeholder input, and it includes facilitation, coaching and project management. The end-product will be an ambitious and practical three-year plan with clear and measurable objectives.
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Tune-ups are designed to review current strategy with key stakeholders, staff and board in a short period of time. We review data and conduct a few facilitated meetings and interviews to identify timely and critical adjustments to strategy, goals or tactics. The end-product is a set of recommendations for any mid-course adjustments.
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Effective community leadership is demonstrated through strategic initiatives that unite stakeholders in pursuit of shared goals. We organize convenings and collaborative planning efforts that cultivate relationships, promote learning, and drive collective action.
Implementation
We help translate long-term goals into measurable objectives and actionable strategies, supporting CEOs and senior teams in aligning staffing, resources, and development efforts to execute foundation priorities.
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In times of transition, innovation, or change, you need immediate, short-term support without sacrificing experience and skill. For these key interim assignments, our team of highly experienced foundation executives will temporarily bring proven, hands-on expertise and strategic insight. We offer immediate partnership to enhance or sustain operations without the long-term overhead. Whether bridging a leadership gap on the senior team, supporting annual operations planning, or launching a new initiative, we step in with the insight, agility, and care that community work demands. Our team has extensive expertise in operations, planning, program development, community leadership, donor engagement, financial analysis, and budgeting.
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We help foundations put data to work in actionable ways. Through a partnership with the Council on Foundation’s CF Insights, we help foundations strengthen their business model by operationalizing recommendations from an Activity-Based Costing analysis. We can also help strengthen donor and grantee relationships by supporting the implementation of recommendations from CEP’s donor and grantee perception reports.
Executive Coaching
We provide executive coaching to help CEOs and senior staff succeed, especially those new to the community foundation field and/or those new to the CEO role. From firsthand experience, we understand the nuanced leadership challenges these organizations present--expansive opportunities for community impact, diverse constituencies to engage, a distinctive fundraising approach, and complex business models that fund operations and growth. Grounded in your goals, each coaching engagement is tailored to help leaders shape strategy, manage change, and build strong partnerships with board and staff.
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We offer tailored coaching engagements that help leaders navigate the dynamics of community foundations and the multifaceted roles they play. Coaching may focus on assessing organizational strengths, shaping strategy, fundraising and donor engagement, building board relationships, and aligning leadership style with organizational culture.
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We work with CEOs and senior leaders to clarify strategic direction, lead organizational change, and strengthen internal alignment. Coaching may focus on aligning leadership priorities with organizational goals, advancing strategic fundraising, reshaping team structures, or adapting the business model for long-term sustainability and growth.