Socially Focused Consulting: Social Enterprise, CSR, Sustainability, TBL & Non-Profits

• Social Enterprise Development/Earned Income Ventures)
• Sustainability & TBL (Triple-Bottom Line)
• CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility)
• Program Evaluation
• Board Governance, Formation, Structure and Development
• Community Relations
• Grant Writing
• Volunteer Management
• Strategic Alliances and Partnerships
• Executive Compensation for Non-profits

We also provide a set of services for faith-based organizations and non-profits.

Dioceses/Regions

Parishes & Clusters

Religious Orders

Schools & Educational Institutions

Faith-Based Organizations & Non-Profits

Community Groups

 1.     Strategic Planning

The strategic planning process is designed to maximize input, ownership and “buy-in”, actionable goals and a vision for the future.  To define the best approach for your organization, specific steps of the process are developed, working with your group on specific actions, their sequence, the people involved, timing, etc.  In clusters, regions and Dioceses, the process is meant to build collaboration.  Some of the components that the process may include are: soliciting input of stakeholders, SWOT analysis, developing a vision, mission & values, brainstorming actions, developing core strategies & competencies, developing success measures, developing an action plan with priorities, etc.

 2.     Planning, Feasibility Studies & Restructure

Feasibility studies focused on new or expansion projects, including facilitating teams in planning.  For organizations considering major change, we facilitate planning groups through a process based on objective analysis, research and organizational strategy, vision and values.

a)     Planning – Opening or Expanding

b)    Feasibility Studies

c)     Restructure or Change Projects

 3.     Survey Research

Surveys to assess needs, interests, attitudes or determine ideas of the people you serve, local communities, similar organizations for best practices, etc.

 4.     Pastoral Planning

Pastoral planning helps a parish, cluster, region or Diocese use a faith-based process and involves discernment to form a mission and develop actions that are focused on the spiritual elements of the parish, not necessarily the overall structure and financial concerns as might be found in strategic planning.  It is a faith-based process that includes planning around: worship, service, community, Word, evangelization, stewardship, leadership, etc.

 5.     Envisioning Ministry & Development of Ministries

Envisioning Ministry is a request of members, parishes & segments of the Diocese, as first described by Bishop Donald Wuerl in a Pastoral Letter, to envision the future of the Church, particularly when facing a shortage of clergy, and to ensure that ministry continues.  Groups engaged in visioning ministry discuss issues and develop ideas and actions related to things such as:  participative liturgies, liturgies to reach all segments of the church, active and engaged pastoral & finance councils, enough catechists, ministry needs of the parish and how to meet them, in what areas should resources be focused, how can collaborative relationships be developed to meet ministry needs, etc.  Development of ministries focuses on developing the leadership, organization and vision for particular ministries.

6.     Leadership, Team Building & Boards

a)     Leadership Planning Retreats

b)    Board or Council Facilitation & Board/Council Development

Board/Council Facilitation and/or Board/Council Development – facilitation of board/council planning sessions or meetings, board/council leadership development, research or benchmarking for board/council information, succession planning, etc.  The following are areas for potential development:  Role of the boards or councils and members of councils/boards, diversity of members to the board/council, term limits, exit strategies & succession planning, decision making & consensus, orientation of board or council members.  Facilitation of council meetings and development and facilitation of leadership planning retreats.  Leadership & team development, training & coaching.

 7.     Human Resources & Staff Development

Support HR needs such as interviewing/hiring/staffing, employee orientation/onboarding, performance review/management processes, organization-wide competencies, leadership competencies, development/refinement of job descriptions, leadership development, workforce development/training, coaching, policies/procedures, compensation, employee relations, employee communications, etc.

 8.     Grants & Revenue Generation; Social Enterprise & Strategic Partnerships

Research grant options and work with group to develop grant applications to fund the mission or initiatives.  Develop ideas, analyze feasibility, design structure for and assist in launch ventures or partnerships for revenue generation to support the mission of the church, school or non-profit. 

 9.     Program Evaluation, Performance Metrics & Reporting

Measure and track performance against organizational or ministry goals.  Evaluate programs for effectiveness, interest and satisfaction.  Assist in developing plans to address gaps and potential needs.  Assist in developing success measures.

 10.  Special Events

Work with staff and volunteers to plan, organize and hold special events like family-centered events, picnics, community-related events like open-houses, or other special events, etc.

 11.  Meeting Facilitation

Many councils and boards will use the services of a facilitator from time to time.  The reason is that it’s difficult for those who are involved in the decision making and deeply concerned about the content, to also function as an objective facilitator of the process.  The third party facilitator can add great benefit to improvements in efficiency and effectiveness of a council or board, allowing the members to focus on the content of planning and decision making. 

 Please see under About Us - Example Projects, for descriptions of some of the non-profit projects we've completed.