Services
Strategy
Lead corporate, private and families/family foundations through planning processes to design, develop and implement high-impact philanthropy programs
Advise on philanthropic tactics and identify potential partnerships to further funder goals and objectives
Level-set on philanthropic goals, understand stakeholder needs, align on priority issue areas, identify assets and resources, and develop strategies that are integrated with foundation mission, goals, and objectives
Create strategic frameworks that describe the organization's philanthropic role, grantmaking objectives and criteria, stakeholder engagement goals, andpriorities for strategic communications
Facilitation & Learning
Develop and implement virtual and in-person learning communities and knowledge hubs that foster connections among grantee or stakeholder cohorts
Lead and facilitate grantmaking decision-making meetings
Create and implement planning meetings geared toward reaching consensus on challenging issues, including values, vision, philanthropic goals and funding priorities
Design learning and team-building spaces for staff, board and family retreats where families and funders can explore and discuss a variety of issues and topics of interest
Grants Design & Implementation
Create thoughtful philanthropic programs guided by funder, community and stakeholder insights and identify strategic focus areas where funders can address significant needs and make the most impact
Launch and manage grantmaking programs, including developing program goals and metrics, managing RFP process, reviewing and evaluating grant proposals, leading review committees and/or Board meetings, and liaising with grantees and grantseekers
Create learning and evaluation materials to assess and share program impact, including logic models and progress reports
Develop internal & external philanthropy materials, including key messages, reports, presentations, speeches, web copy and briefing materials
Research
Conduct stakeholder interviews, landscape analyses, needs assessments, environmental scans and benchmarking studies
Identify current and emerging trends in philanthropic issues areas, including collecting data on social issues, key players and their interrelationships, strategies for change, and funding trends and gaps
Conduct benchmarking studies of peer funders, promising practices, methods proven to make a difference in the field and insights from leading funders and organizations in the space
Design iterative engagement and listening processes that reach a variety of stakeholders to better understand key players, existing relationships, community dynamics, and nuances around community and societal needs
“Together, we can craft impactful and meaningful philanthropic strategies that evolve with your story. Let's make it feel right for right now, knowing that it will continue to grow and adapt.”
— Ideas in Philanthropy