Clients

Some of our clients are small- or mid-sized organizations that want customized workshops, some need practical tools and expert advice, and others are large institutions ready to tackle substantial opportunities. These project examples represent the range of services we offer.

PROJECT EXAMPLES

  Training series on strategies for tough times and collaboration

A progressive community foundation hired Jacobsen Associates to educate hundreds of geographically scattered nonprofits on two pressing issues: developing strategies for tough economic times and building and repairing collaborations.  We developed a customized two-topic training series for audiences ranging from board members to executive directors to foundation program staff. In this five-session series we trained almost 400 people in settings ranging from a state-wide conference to a full-day workshop and an intimate brown bag discussion.

  Cost-effective training and guided discussion

A state-wide council needed a timely and cost-effective way to convene 250 nonprofits from around the state to strategize about coping with tough times. Jacobsen Associates proposed a virtual convening which included a webinar training paired with localized convenings around the state. A local moderator guided discussions among participating executive directors and board members before and after the webinar.

  Comprehensive 1-year capacity building initiative

In light of tough times, a corporate foundation wanted to provide its grantees with flexible, grantee-centric support.  Jacobsen Associates, in partnership with two other management service organizations, designed and implemented a one-year capacity building initiative that included convenings, consultant-led exploratory sessions, trainings, and a website with a resource directory.  These offerings helped grantees understand the wide range of strategic options open to them, and most were granted funds to implement their chosen strategies.

  Three-year capacity building initiative

A national network wanted to strengthen the performance of affiliates operating in high-need urban areas.  In order to achieve this ambitious goal, we designed and guided a three-year capacity building initiative, pairing our concepts and resources with those of an expert advisory council.  We began with deep assessments of several affiliates to determine the critical factors that led to success. We then developed resources to address each of these success factors, offering them to affiliates through the network's intranet and conferences. Resources included case studies of successful practices, tools developed by other national partners, and workshops on implementation. Later offerings included a “field trip” to study more deeply the practices of top-performing affiliates.

  Collaboration assessment and training

A national nonprofit, working in partnership with a federal government agency, was committed to helping communities around the U.S. create local collaboratives to better assist their clientele.  Jacobsen Associates trained staff consultants and partners on collaboration principles and techniques. We then helped each group identify their collaboration’s strengths and challenges using the Collaboration Factors Inventory. As a result, each collaboration knew what actions to take to make their work together more successful.