My Nonprofit Reviews

I am a strategy consultant serving the nonprofit sector. I've worked with literally hundreds of nonprofits over twenty-plus years.

I have gotten to know Canopy extremely well over the last several years. They are one of the strongest organizations I've ever worked with. They have clarity of the impact that they're trying to pursue and measure their progress in getting there. They have a tremendous combination of heart and head; an authentic and deep passion for their mission and a commitment to smart and continuous operational improvement. One of their core values, Excellence, is not a word that sits on a poster but is an accurate reflection of all that they attempt to do.

Further, several years ago they began engaging in a conversation about racial and social justice. Their conversations resulted in programmatic and operational changes that are helping them better serve those that may otherwise be overlooked.

If you're considering whether or not to support Canopy in some fashion, they are an excellent bet.

For over two decades I have run a business that provides strategic planning services to nonprofits. Gracenter has been one of our clients for several years.

As such I have dug deep into the organization -- the financials, the board, the staff, the programs, etc. My continual conclusion is that Gracenter is an outstanding organization: mission-driven, well-run, meeting a critical need, and fiscally very responsible. They deserve my 5-star rating.

I am an nonprofit management consultant have served MCN for many years. I've seen behind the curtains of scores of organizations. MCN has exceptional leadership, tremendous passion for their cause, and a staff full of smart and dedicated professionals. They deserve every bit of their 5-star ranking.

I run a business that helps small nonprofits build their organizational capacity and have provided guidance to scores of organizations over the years. I have been affiliated with Vida Verde for nearly ten years as an advisor, board chair, and donor.

Through that lens, Vida Verde is near or at the top of my nonprofit list in terms of its quality, impact, and organizational strength.

It starts at the top with the co-founders, Laura and Shawn Sears. They're smart, passionate, fiscally very responsible, and haven't fallen into the founders trap that so many others experience. Just recently they had their staff take ownership for an event; Laura and Shawn simply showed up and followed the lead of their staff.

Beyond Laura and Shawn, their staff is amazing. Jody, Claire, Bobby, and Gaby run a tight ship while their instructor crew regularly receives outstanding feedback from the teachers, schools, and students that they serve.

As a management consultant, what impresses me the most about Vida Verde is their organizational intelligence. They have AND USE a strategic plan. They provide regular professional development experiences for their staff. They continuously measure their impact. And they regularly exceed their fundraising goals, due in large part to the authentic and trusting relationships they build with their donor base. These types of strengths are unique within the small nonprofit community.

Going forward Laura and Shawn will extend the organization's impact by sharing their knowledge, models, and experience with the nonprofit sector so that others can replicate their methods.

In short, Vida Verde is a landmark nonprofit organization whose impact will be felt for decades to come.