Nonprofit strategy—without the capitalism

I can help your organization meet this moment strategically, via clarity and empowerment rather than quantification and control.

Let’s start a conversation

From capitalist strategy to liberatory strategy

If you’re fighting for social justice, you might feel deep down that something is missing from conventional approaches to strategy and strategic planning.

There’s a reason for that.

The most popular strategy methodologies are hand-me-downs from the private sector, and their capitalist management origins can undermine the missions of social justice organizations:

  • Top-down, control-based processes bring the wrong values to life.

  • Tools designed for competition and linear thinking aren’t built for systems change.

  • Isolated planning exercises provide little practical value in most management decisions.

Social justice leaders seek an approach to strategy that addresses the rigors of organizational management while building a world in which all people flourish with dignity, joy, and self-determination.

If that sounds like you, read on.

Strategy for…you

My partnership might be a good fit for you if you want your strategy to:

  • Guide—not control—via shared strategic intent.

  • Live within everyday decisions and actions.

  • Evolve through ongoing reflection, learning, and adaptation.

In my view, strategy isn’t just a plan. It’s an approach to leadership and management that helps people achieve amazing things together through clarity, alignment, and empowerment.

Read more about my perspective

Let’s build together

Every strategic journey is different. That’s why I tailor my partnership to the unique needs of each organization.

The following are some categories of support I provide, but in reality these bullets are most useful as conversation-starters. I’d love to hear about the strategic challenges you’re facing and the strategic dreaming you’ve been doing. Let’s talk!

Schedule a chat

Consulting

From targeted support to long-term partnerships, I work deeply and flexibly with nonprofit leadership teams to develop bold strategy and bring it to life in their organizations.

  • Strategic planning

  • Bringing strategy to life (strategy embodiment processes)

  • Reflection, learning, and adaptation (strategy adaptation processes)

  • Theory of change development

  • Financial analysis and modeling

  • Organization and operating model design

  • Strategic research and analysis

Fractional/Interim Executive

In an embedded Chief of Staff or Chief Strategy Officer role, I can move in lockstep with your team to solve problems, establish organizational infrastructure, and build team capacity while we’re at it. I’m a respectful, supportive team member here to uplift your team’s leadership.

Shifting the Narrative on Strategy

My mission is to make the practice of strategy a more useful exercise for mission-driven organizations. In addition to my direct partnership, I’m working to remake the practice of strategy in service of social justice and to build the cadre of practitioners putting it to work.

Read more about my services

Schedule a consultation

I’m building toward a future in which our economic and governance systems are equitable and just, and in which humans exist in harmony with our planet. My contribution is to help nonprofit organizations build this future by setting strategy that is worthy of their missions.

Hi, I’m Nick

Stay in touch

Curious? Send me a message, sign up for an occasional newsletter, or connect with me on LinkedIn.

I send occasional newsletters via Substack. Submit your email below if you want to receive these emails.

You can also send me an email using the form below: