We enable donors and funders to increase their collective impact by working together efficiently and effectively. This work ranges from helping develop and strengthen funder collaborative and donor network strategies and operations to supporting an individual donor or family in building funding partnerships and their own networks.
Grantmaking
Governance
Strategy & Program Design
Research
Program & Operational support
Learning
Grantmaking
We work with donor networks & collaboratives to help develop, adopt, and improve effective giving practices, drawing on expertise regarding collective giving, participatory grantmaking, and centering those most affected by the problems we aim to solve. Our work with donor networks and collaboratives spans a range of areas, including streamlining processes, translating strategy to practice, systems change, grappling with identity and power, due diligence, field building, and more, all with an eye toward moving more money more effectively to advance justice.
Strategy & Program Design
We work with donor networks and donor collaboratives through iterative and collaborative processes to build programs, strategies, and learning communities to have the deepest impact. Our team of consultants help to create short- and long-term strategies, articulate grantmaking principles, how and when to consider various philanthropic vehicles, the role of advocacy and education, and much more. Engagements can range from periodic, virtual programs, to one-day immersive strategy sessions, to ongoing and continued advising.
Program & Operational Support
We provide a range of services that enable clients to start, scale-up, or streamline programs and initiatives. We regularly serve as added capacity for one-time or emerging projects not yet ready for full-time staffing and support existing teams with shifting and complex organizational management challenges. This includes developing special programs, starting and managing a grantmaking program or initiative, refining processes and procedures, ensuring continuity by staffing a program during staff/leadership transition, and serving as sounding board and confidential advisor during planning and ideation of program development.
Governance
We provide experience and person-power to help develop and guide key governance considerations. We have expertise in navigating the dynamics entailed by the unique organizational contexts of both donor networks and collaborative giving efforts, including establishing governance structures and policies, linking governance to programing and grantmaking strategy, leadership transitions, and maintaining and refining decision-making processes.
Research
We work with clients to develop and refine their areas of interest, with specific expertise for cultivating a network of field and movement leaders. We perform landscape scans and topical research, pulling together large amounts of data and information and distilling it down to consumable and accessible formats, providing our clients with the information needed to make informed decisions.
Learning
We design, develop, and run tailored learning programs for donor networks and donor collaboratives, as well as customized personal learning opportunities and coaching for members. Our learning work spans a range of topics and experience levels, including systems change, grappling with identity and power, translating strategy to practice, democracy building, field building, emerging issues, and more. Whether you are looking to go deep on a specific topic or put effective practices into practice in your members’ or collective’s work, our team of consultants can tailor any learning experience to your specific needs.