Toolkits
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.
Resources
Nonprofit Capacity Building and Profile Raising
Mission Sustainability Initiative - Resources - Forefront
National Council of Nonprofits
Philanthropy and Grants
College of Dupage Library - Philanthropy
National Council of Nonprofits
West Suburban Philanthropic Network
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Harvard Implicit Association Test
Nonprofit HR 2022 DEIJ Practices Survey Results
Politics and Public Policy and Administration
American Society for Public Administration
Higher Education Social Enterprise and Policy
The University of Chicago Booth School of Business - Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation
University of Chicago - Harris School of Public Policy
Loyola University of Chicago - Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility
Northwestern Institute for Policy Research
University of Illinois Chicago - Jane Addams College of Social Work