STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS— : Focusing on Growth & Impact 2016 NNCG Annual Meeting Washington DC

NNCG’s Strategic Edge with Members Unique network—the only association and organization that brings together the full diversity of philanthropy consulting Knowledge creation for effective philanthropy and advocate that consultants are partners and thought leaders in philanthropy Programming—created with and for members Engages members in peer learning, problem-solving and innovation in philanthropy Credibility—consultants are vetted and visible through the directory Participation and influence—Invited as a network to high level grantmaker convenings and collaborations not accessible to most individual consultants

NNCG’s Strategic Edge in the Field Mission driven: emphasis is on improving the field of philanthropy…not about marketing the members/services Thought leadership: adding value to the field through Directory, Knowledge Center, Foundation Review Journal and other educational activities—our collective wisdom made available as a resource Service oriented: not a typical professional association….it is a partnership between consultants AND philanthropy for effective philanthropy Quality and standards: recognized by funders and consultants as being the only organization tackling these issues in philanthropic consulting Credibility in the field of philanthropy—members are vetted Distinct in the philanthropy ecosystem; the ONLY dedicated space for grantmaker-serving consultants and as this slice of the ecosystem grows in size and importance so could our voice and leadership role. Representative of the diversity of the philanthropy consulting field—we reflect the important contributions of sole proprietors, boutique firms as well as large firms across many skill sets.

NNCG 2016 Membership Total Members as of 4/5/ full firm members (with 76 representatives) 1 associate firm member (with 4 representatives) 4 affiliate firm members (with 8 representatives) 53 full individual members 27 associate members 4 individual affiliates 110 MEMBERS / 172 INDIVIDUALS

Consulting in Philanthropy… The Diversity of What We Do

Life Stage

Strategic Directions—6 Main Goals Membership Growth Recruit/Engage Partners Grow the Financial Base Sharpen Programs for Impact Communications—UPSHIFT Visibility Upgrade Staff, Operations, Administration

Strategic Directions— Major Action Priorities Create and Promote Directory 2.0 Restructure Knowledge Center The Foundation Review—promote/optimize the current one and begin a new one Nurture highly valued ongoing programs (e.g. webinars)

NNCG’s Theory of Change & Action

Guiding Principles NNCG’s work is done in partnership—consultants and philanthropy NNCG works collaboratively—internally and externally NNCG is a Network with a learning culture NNCG is about field-building and incorporates classic “change strategies”: -- Defining/Reframing --Engaging people in change --Transforming members/partners --Systematizing Change

Strategic Directions Focus on Growth & Impact