Diane Gordon provides consulting services to both nonprofit organizations and to foundations.
Approach:
Every project and its leadership are unique. Diane’s approach at the outset is to build a relationship with the principal leadership and fully understand their vision of the project, expectations for outcomes and timeframes, and preferred work and communication styles. Clarifying roles and establishing a collaborative process for working together are key initial steps in all of Diane’s projects. Whether through planning, training, or coaching, Diane strives to engage those most impacted in project design and implementation. (See samples of past projects.)
Services to Foundations include:
Capacity Building Program Design
Diane works with foundations to design and implement initiatives to build the capacity of the foundation’s grantees and other nonprofits. Services include:
- Research capacity building needs of specific sectors or clusters of grantees
- Focus groups or grantee surveys to determine needs
- Design of specialized capacity building programs for grantees
- Assistance in implementing and managing capacity building programs
Evaluation of capacity building funder initiatives
Diane assists funders in evaluating the results from capacity building initiatives. Services include:
- Formative and outcomes evaluations for capacity building initiatives
- Short term evaluations and assessments of initiatives and reporting on outcomes
- Establishing feedback loops and process for learning with and from grantees
Grantee request review and analysis
Diane works for foundations in reviewing and analyzing grant proposals, and grantee responses to special funder initiatives. Services include:
- Grant review, analysis and recommendations to the funder
- Review of responses to RFPs or other special initiatives
“Diane Gordon is an “on-the-ground” consultant whose insight, skill, and conscientiousness have proved invaluable. For several years she has worked with selected Greater Worcester Community Foundation grantees to develop and carry out business plans as part of a pilot project. Foundation staff is gaining knowledge from the opportunity to work with her and grantees are demonstrating the increased impact we sought. In the success we’re achieving, Diane plays a key role.”
— Gail T. Randall, Special Projects Officer
Greater Worcester Community Foundation