Greenlights' customized consulting services are:
Delivered by professional nonprofit consultants, who bring a wealth of experience as nonprofit senior managers and board members to every project- Priced competitively, usually at or below our cost, thanks to our generous donors
- Customized and client-centered to meet your organization’s needs
- Grounded in proven methodologies and best practices from the nonprofit industry
"Recognizing the necessity for industry expertise, and eliminating the fear of asking for help has made us a more professional, effective and sustainable organization. I was impressed with Greenlights' ability to identify what we needed as an organization, but more importantly, to help us understand those needs."
- Todd Hanna, Executive Director, Explore Austin
Consulting FAQs
Regardless of your nonprofit's size or mission focus, the Greenlights approach focuses on meeting your organization where you are. We customize our work based on your unique needs, and we use a variety of innovative approaches grounded in industry best practices to help you accomplish your goals.
Board Development
Strong, engaged boards make for strong nonprofits. In fact, the strength of a nonprofit’s board can be one of the primary determinants of organizational success in the long run. But boards are also complex entities that are asked to play many diverse, difficult roles including leader, volunteer, fundraiser, donor, adviser, overseer and more. Let us help you leverage your board through targeted training and assessment.
Strategic Planning
We believe every nonprofit should have a clear, compelling 3-5 year strategic plan that is regularly reviewed and updated. Good nonprofit strategy (e.g. mission, vision, goals, performance metrics, values) not only signals strength to your funders and stakeholders, but also helps your organization focus on what is most important: making difficult decisions about how to use your resources wisely and effectively telling the story of your impact.
Organizational Diagnostic
Whether your nonprofit is facing multiple challenges (disengaged board, staff problems, weak fundraising) or preparing for a significant shift in focus, such as a new Executive Director or strategic plan, an Organizational Diagnostic© will help you benchmark your current practices against industry standards and identify strategic changes to improve your work.
Fundraising
Compelling missions, passionate leaders, and effective programs are certainly important in nonprofit work, but without cash, nonprofits fail. In an increasingly competitive and constantly changing fundraising environment, your nonprofit must stay ahead of the curve with the skills, tools and practices that will secure the resources you need to fuel your work.
Mergers and Collaborations
Collaboration has long been held up as a key core value driving the nonprofit world - in fact, it's one of Greenlights' organizational core values. Nonprofits are often looked to as models of collaboration, and many funders and other stakeholders have grown to expect nonprofits to explore strategies for maximizing efficiency and effectiveness such as formal mergers.
Leadership Transitions
One of the most important and exciting decisions a board makes is hiring a new Executive Director. Are you ready? Hiring a new leader presents a unique chance to assess the current state of your organization, evaluate and build consensus for the organization's mission and vision, and make a strategic hire that will take your nonprofit to a new level of success. Though it can seem overwhelming, we can help you turn the transition time of risk and concern into one of opportunity and progress.
Interim ED Program
There’s one phone call board members dread the most: our ED is leaving the organization. Should we promote internally, start a national search, find an interim, or have a board member step in to lead? Fortunately, Greenlights’ Interim Executive Director program can help you buy the time you need to make the right leadership decision, and put in place experienced, stable leadership during a time of transition and risk.
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What's New
Looking for New Board Members?: Apply to featured at Board Summit for the unique opportunity to network with hundreds of business professionals looking to join a board. Application deadline is March 15.
Membership Drive: Join or Renew Today!: Help us create strong communities through exceptional nonprofits! Join or renew your Greenlights membership by February 29 and be entered to win one free registration to the Texas Nonprofit Summit.
Resource Library: The newest additions to our resource library include a Logic Model Development Guide and a Simplified Social Return on Investment Guide.