Approach
Our Values
Our preferred approach is highly collaborative and participative. Our clients are our priority, and we adapt every approach to meet their specific needs with innovative, effective solutions.
A notable factor that differentiates Conlon Public Strategies from other strategic advising firms is our values. These values, developed over decades of experience with social impact businesses and nonprofits, are foundational to our work:
- Collaboration and active, deep listening: Our goal is to assure that all stakeholders in our work feel valued, seen, heard, and trusted through the evaluation process.
- Mirrored values of diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging: We work to reflect DEIJB values in our meeting processes and interactions. We seek opportunities for candid and nonjudgmental conversation, mirroring respectful exchange.
- Constructive handling of conflict: In situations of disagreement, we bring an open and inquisitive mindset to differing views to achieve clear understanding. We demonstrate a focus on curiosity, collaboration, and courage in both our language and behavior.
- Inclusive engagement: We pride ourselves in establishing and reinforcing environments where stakeholders are comfortable and empowered to engage and contribute to the overall success of our work together.
- Context analysis: We are alert to contextual factors in the external environment, and we will make recommendations that attend to the environments in which organizations operate.
- Strong business orientation: We believe that successful enterprises exercise business discipline in their operations, finances, and implementation efforts.
- Tailored, strengths-based approach: We take an appreciative inquiry approach to understanding the values and culture of our clients and providing tailored solutions.
Here are some commonly asked questions we receive from our clients.
Drawing on a broad network, national in scale, we help our clients identify and build relationships with diverse, talented individuals who can bring new energy and expertise to board leadership. From identifying board candidates with complementary skills and perspectives to developing new organizational structures to attract high-level volunteer leaders, we help clients create strategies to attract top leadership talent.
We recommend ways to convene and engage stakeholders and other thought leaders to positively position client organizations. We promote visibility by creating innovative opportunities to showcase client strengths and expand their influence. We advise on market opportunity and make connections to potential customers and sources of investment.
Conlon Public Strategies:
With a view toward increased efficiency, strength, and impact, we introduce nonprofits to potential partners and assist in assessing opportunities for collaboration, acquisition, or merger. We facilitate the integration of organizations, helping them to navigate complex issues that often arise during mergers, including developing a new organizational structure, combining boards of directors, navigating the regulatory environment, maintaining relationships with funders, and managing communications. Many organizations benefit from multi-year strategic partnerships that allow for greater combined capacity and impact. In some instances, the partnership may eventually evolve to a point where exploration of merger or acquisition may make sense.
We guide nonprofits in building fundraising capacity, positioning them for fundraising campaigns, and creating fundraising plans. This includes introducing nonprofits to public and private funding opportunities to launch or expand promising initiatives and helping them define and pursue a strategic approach to sustainability and growth. We also help with creating a successful funding strategies, building relationships with funders, and developing compelling proposals.
We assist clients to assess and devise ways to improve the match between organizational structure and strategic goals. This often begins with a review of operating and administrative systems, assessed through the lens of optimizing opportunity and promoting innovation and growth. We also specialize in helping nonprofit boards evaluate and improve their governance structures and committee charters.
By bringing a campaign-style approach to advocacy, we enable clients to mobilize support through multiple modalities. We help clients build coalitions, engage national and local public policy groups, create winning messages, and accelerate communications with local, state, and national media. With our strong relationships with local and national elected officials, we understand the intricacies of public policy advocacy, and can guide effective participation in the political process.