My Background
I grew up a child of insistent do-it-yourselfer-ers who would sooner spend a day volunteering than hustling. My advocate's heart was strong, even as a youth, leading and volunteering in many community activities and reinforced by family ideals of service and sacrifice.
For my undergraduate degree, I attended SUNY Plattsburgh, where I became deeply entrenched in Fraternity and Soroirty Life. This started my interest in organizational development and leadership. The student activities office of SUNY Plattsburgh focused heavily on leadership development, and consistently reinforced the importance of Servant Leadership, SMART Goals, and Evaluation.
Upon completing my bachelor's degree I followed my parents to Florida. I lived in florida for ten years and during that time I struggled to figure out my true purpose. Before long, I realized that all of the things I was passionate about and that I had skill in were community focused and service oriented. I realized my purpose was to help build a better world through public service.
I attained a Master's in Nonprofit Management from Florida Atlantic University and moved into a PhD in Public Administration program. Ultimately, I did not complete the PhD, but I achieved valuable insight into the field throuh the many classes I completed.
During this time, I was also working for Palm Beach County in the federal Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative Program. I was involved in every aspect of the grant process, including: grantwriting and making, evaluation, reporting, staff training, program development, root cause analysis, community planning, event planning, staff oversight, and almost any other obscure aspect of the field you could think of.
However, my heart yearned to return to New York, and I found my way back through a serendipitous position with the New York State AIDS Institute. While that was not a forever position, it gave me more valuable insight into the field.
One thing I noticed in all of my time, however, was that nonprofits were struggling. They struggled because they were run by passionate people who did not have the time or energy to learn the "best" way. They struggled with weak formation and disconnected boards. They struggled with lack of direction and focus. It burned the passion from people until there was none left.
I dedicate my time now to helping nonprofits grow and develop into better organizations. We do not need more businesses trying to take people's money. We need more people trying to help each other. My goal is to work with individuals and organizations to ensure their goals can be met and their organizations can thrive.
MY FOCUS AREAS
Nonprofit Development
Nonprofits have a lot of administrative needs. From the initial formation, to the tax requrements and legalities, nonprofits can be tough. I focus on helping organizations start off right and start off strong.
Staff Training & Teambuilding
Sometimes, the organization is strong, but the staff, volunteers, or board members want or need more training and guidance. I assist organziations by establishing training plans, developing training materials, facilitating staff training and teambuilding activities, or training someone to do so.
Program Development
Programs are the bread and butter of any nonprofit. Whether it is providing scholarships, running a shelter, feeding animals, building houses, or any other kind of service - its the whole point of the organization. Sometimes people have an idea of what they want to do and a goal for what they want to do, but are not sure how to or have been unsuccessful in its execution. I use my analytical mind, coupled with a Lean Six Sigma certification for root cause analysis, to help idnetify the issues in either existing programs, or in the population being served, and work with the organization to address it and improve programmatic outcomes.
Fundraising
If programs are the bread and butter of an organization, fundraising is the knife used to cut the bread and spread the butter. No organization can survive without community support through fundraising or grants, and many organizations struggle with developing a fundraising plan or applying for grants. I can work directly withboard members, staff and volunteers to make sure your grants and fundraising is as effective as possible. Direct grantwriting services are also available.
Community Engagement
Community engagmeent is the fork and spoon of our culinary metaphor. I can work with you on developing media strategy, press releases, scripts, events, and other community engagement needs. I do not create or develop visual media, though can provide a critical eye for feedback, and possibly referrals if needed.
Unique Experience
There are very few people in the world with my combination of experience, training, and education - and even fewer with the right passion for the work. I will not just complete a project, send an invoice, and be done with it. I will work directly with you to establish the best timeline, budget, and expectations for our partnership. I also include complimentary follow-up based on your timeline, free of charge, to assess the efficacy of our work.
Industry Specific Background
Some consultants have never been on the other side of the equation. They base their advice on best practice research and observation. Those things are great, but having the understanding of how nonprofits function on a personal level cannot be learned any other way than in them. A much smaller number of consultants have training and education from an accredited university that is specific to the nonprofit sector. You can trust that I've seen it from all angles - as an administrator, as a service provider, as a manager, as a client, as a community member, as a volunteer, as a grantor, and as support.
Collaborative Engagement
I will work directly with you and your team. Depending on your needs, any appropriate or relevant team members will be part of the process. I do not believe in doing the job and leaving. I am here to make sure your organization thrives. I hope that the organization overall is left better and more confident after I am done, and my goal is to make sure you don't require my or similar services in the future.
Fair and Ethical Pricing
I know how tight money can be. A lot of consultants will take advantage of an organizations desparation, confusion, naivete, or other needs. I will not. I will work within your budget as best as I can, and be transparent about expected timelines and expenses. You will never receive a surprise bill.
Up-To-Date
You don't need to worry about someone coming in with ideas that are ten years old and havent caught up with modern times. The modern world is fast moving and our organizations need to keep up. I'll be right there with it.
MY PROCESS
I like to start my projects by trying to "convince" the client not to do it. By this, I mean I like to point out all potential barriers, challenges, or other issues the process may face. While seemingly negative in nature, I do not want to waste an organization's limited and valuable resources on something that will not benefit them. These are the hard conversations nonprofits must have to be successful.
I work directly with your team. I determine everyones role, understanding, and relationship to the work, and include them in the process as appropriate. When appropriate, clients and other stakeholders may be included
I deliver my part; you deliver yours. I do not run your organziation - you do. While tasks measurable with a specific "complete/not-complete," the organization must do the required work for other outcomes. Developing a policy means nothing if people do not follow it. Making a new program does nothing if nobody runs it. I can hold your hand as much as possible, but in the ends it is all up to you.