The Rush Group

Our view is that nonprofit consulting should include:

• Developing a deep understanding of the changes the organization seeks to make in the lives of its clients, the changes for which the organization was founded.
• Evaluating the degree of alignment of the organization's programs, activities and image with the changes it seeks to create.
• Guiding the organization through a self-study in order to refocus its efforts toward maximum impact in achieving the desired outcomes for the client.

We don't believe that effective consulting can be done in a cookbook fashion.  There is no one recipe that works in all situations.  We prefer to work holistically, by looking at how the identified client need is being addressed by existing strategies and programs.  We also want to understand the community context of the programs, how clients are affected by it and who is a current or potential partner in the effort.

What do we mean by understanding the changes in the clients' condition?

It's simple.  Begin with the end in mind.  What specific, measurable changes will occur in the clients' behavior, knowledge, situation or skills?  How will these changes be achieved?  How will you know if they have been achieved?  How are you doing in actual achievement?  What story does the data tell you?  Are you talking about your program's activities or about the client?  Developing answers to these questions creates powerful information.

What do we mean by alignment?

Are the changes you are trying to create for your client reflected in everything you do?  in marketing, budgeting, staffing, program structure and donor and volunteer cultivation?  Are you mission-focused in everything you do?  Alignment makes it clear to everyone who you are, what you do and what you have achieved.

What do we mean by refocus?

The organization is guided by how it visualizes the clients' situation and needs.  The activities and outputs of the orgaization are evaluated by their impact on the client.  The results achieved are powerfully incorporated into donor appeals and public reporting.  The organization is constantly learning and adapting its practices to better achieve the outcomes.  The organization partners trustfully with others.

Put our experience to work

Let our experience with diverse nonprofit situations be an asset for you.  From revitalizing marketing and fundraising to planning and realizing a long range vision, including challenging situations such as facilitating collaborations and mergers, we have seen it and done it.

Feel free to contact us at 512-983-5096 to discuss the situation in your nonprofit.  If we don't feel that we are the right fit with your needs, we can refer you to other resources.  Or you can email us at mrush003@austin.rr.com.

Making change is not as hard as deciding to make change.  Call us.  We can help.