Non-Profit Organizations
We balance art and science to produce the highest level of client impact.
We’ve served hundreds of nonprofit clients in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Africa and elsewhere in consulting roles, and we touch many more organizations through The NPL Learning Center©--an in-person and virtual boot camp for board members and CEO’s in large initiatives and/or change management processes and for all nonprofit leaders via master classes.
Principals of NPL Impact Agency manage every client, assembling the exact right supporting team from our cadre to fully customize NPL’s time-tested proprietary tools and best practices.
Our Process
Clients engage us for all or some of the steps outlined below, depending on their circumstances.
The NPL team zooms out to observe the broader landscape, hypothesize and rethink solutions to big problems. Then once new solutions are identified, we zoom in to create detailed strategies and plans with measurable performance goals.
Our Expertises
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Discovery
During the discovery process, NPL conducts a current state analysis by way of interviews and proprietary tools to assess:
Each client’s purpose/mission; Industry trends; Unmet needs and new opportunities in the market; Competitor strengths; Organizational effectiveness and current delivery systems-including partners; Requirements for achieving higher levels of funding and impact
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Visioning
Our team uses design thinking to ideate with leadership teams to help them envision their desired future state. We then create a vision statement to inspire other stakeholders and investors.
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Strategy & Planning
With a new and inspiring vision, we build an updated and relevant business strategy to achieve that vision, beginning with a definition of success in time blocks of 3 years and 5 years, etc. The plan then includes proper board development, staffing, financing, operations, marketing, fundraising and, contingency plans.
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Storytelling & Filmmaking
NPL has a 6-person team experienced in digital content creation and filmmaking to help clients create their specialized stories in a manner to attract new donors and philanthropist. We create a library of material, ranging from 60 second sound bites to short documentary films, always beginning with the targeted audience and a distribution method to reach that audience.
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Leadership Coaching & Board Development
The NPL team has strong expertise in rapidly assessing the composition and performance of governing boards, and then advising leaders on changes needed and recruiting plans to achieve significantly increased organizational productivity. We have a 7-step process for moving a board toward deeper engagement and success in major-gift fundraising which involves coaching and training of the full governing team and CEO.
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Economic Model
Creation of The Fundraising Plan
We determine the mix of funding types required, but we also assess the mix of constituent types such as individuals, foundations and corporations needed in what percentages of the full goal. This is something that varies for each client. Furthermore, we use a proprietary method called The NPL Leverage Model© to raise dollars efficiently at a low cost per dollar raised. We also use our own portfolio system for assigning major-gift prospects to board member teams.
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Direct Management Assistant
Once plans are formulated, the NPL team offers direct management in capital campaigns, corporate sponsorship initiatives, media campaign and major events to create awareness and acquire new donors. When we manage such activities, our goal is always to mentor and teach internal teams to bring such management in house for the long term.
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Training & Master Courses
As a stand- alone service, NPL offers both online and in person training and master classes through The NPL Learning Center© which is managed by our core team, but also involves thought leaders as industry or subject experts, representative donors and others from NPL’s extensive network of leaders, built over 38 years, domestically and internationally.
“If you are considering engaging the NPL team to help you better understand the state of and opportunities for improvement for your non-profit organization or to help you find the next CEO/Executive Director to lead the organization – don’t hesitate to hire the NPL team; it will be worth every penny! They were true partners in the work, they listened and adapted, led and challenged us when needed and even trained the team for certain aspects of the work.”
Cece Webster
Chair of the Community Assistance Center (CAC) Board Search Committee