projects
Compass provides consulting services in four areas called service lines. Choosing a service line helps clients and teams focus and narrow the project scope so it is manageable in the time available.
Compass’ service lines are: Board Development; Funding Strategies; Strategic Alignment; and Strategic Planning.
Types of Projects
Compass provides consulting services in four areas called service lines. Choosing a service line helps clients focus the project scope so it is manageable in a seven to nine month consulting engagement. Compass’ service lines are: Board Development; Funding Strategies; Strategic Alignment; and Strategic Partnerships and Mergers. For more information on each, see the descriptions below.
Board Development
Compass helps Boards of Directors improve their focus, engagement and resulting performance by assessing the current Board’s capabilities, structure, composition and needs, and applying nonprofit board best practices to identify opportunities for improvement. Compass works closely with the client’s Board leadership and the Executive Director to help Boards become more effective on all fronts – including transition planning, division of responsibilities, leadership development, and fundraising.
Funding Strategy
Compass Funding Strategy projects help nonprofit organizations broaden or deepen their current sources of revenue and work toward the goal of long-term sustainability through effective fundraising. A Funding Strategy project recommends untapped sources for funding, sometimes helping to screen out less promising sources, and also recommends improved ways to communicate with current and potential donors. (Applicants for funding projects must have a current strategic plan in place and an engaged, governing Board of Directors.)
Strategic Alignment
Strategic Alignment projects provide recommendations for adjusting programs to better support the organization’s mission and resources. Compass projects help Executive Directors and Boards articulate a 3 to 5 year strategic direction and implementation priorities. The focus is on providing direction to the Board and staff in their ongoing work and use of resources.
Strategic Planning
Strategic Planning is a TWO YEAR PROJECT. This service line is for organizations that would like help with their strategic planning process, in particular, ensuring that the board and organization leadership are aligned around key choices that have to be made. Typically, the first year will be spent 1) gathering input from key stakeholders on the issues to be addressed in the strategic planning process, and 2) conducting research to help the board and leadership make informed decisions about those choices. Based upon the team’s research, the second year will be spent walking the board through the strategic planning process of making important choices,
prioritizing goals, and understanding the implications of those choices.
Strategic Partnerships and Mergers
In this weak economy, many nonprofits are concerned about the uncertainty that surrounds their traditional funding streams and the resulting impact on their current activities and future plans. For nonprofits interested in options that involve combining resources with another nonprofit, Compass will assist in assessing the value and appropriateness of strategic mergers, partnerships, or other shared operating arrangements. Financial and cultural issues will be considered. Compass will recommend potential actions for the board and senior management to consider, along with an analysis of the resulting implications for both organizations.
