Sample Client Engagements

Maximizing Social, Environmental, and Economic Returns

Two Gentlemen In Front Of Their Business

Services For Non-Profits

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Opportunity Screening, Feasibility Studies, Operational Planning and Business Planning for Not-for-profit social Enterprises:

Toxics Action Center: Work with client to develop key components of a business plan for a spin-off income-generating consulting company. Develop comprehensive marketing plan and pro-forma financial analysis. Recommend appropriate legal structure for new business.
WalkBoston: Work with client to identify, research, and evaluate opportunities for increasing earned income activity, including product and service based businesses as well as cause-related marketing opportunities, along both financial and mission-related dimensions. Developed comprehensive and rigorous screening methodology for evaluation of new business ideas. Will conduct feasibility studies on the top two opportunities, to include market analysis, identification of likely partners, financial analysis, operational analysis and plan, mission impacts, and risk analysis. Will develop comprehensive fundraising plan for the next three years, including detailed strategies for all current and proposed earned revenue activities, individual and corporate membership programs, and traditional philanthropic sources of support.
The Food Project: Conducted industry analysis, competitor analysis, and market analysis for a potential inner city youth-led catering and quick-serve restaurant businesses in low-income neighborhoods, to be managed and operated by youth participants of the client organization’s programs. The analysis of each venture also included pro-forma financial analysis, operational analysis and plan, analysis of mission fit (including potential tax implications), development and implementation of accounting systems, and business plan development.
The Food Project: Researched best uses for a rural greenhouse for off-season income generation for youth-serving nonprofit. Conducted general industry and local market analyses, developed operational plan and financial analysis of proposed venture growing and selling Arugula and Sunflowers.

For-Profit Business Plans, Start-up Financing, and Strategic Partnership Development:

Pandamonium: Assist founders with the development of a business plan for a planned inner-city family entertainment center. Assist with overall structure, content, and presentation of plan, deal structure for investors, financial analysis, and market research. Plan raised more than $1,000,000 in first four months of distribution (ultimate goal of $1,125,000).
Amah: Led team in development of a business plan for a high-end, organic bath and body care company. Business model included a retail location, web-based sales, and national distribution. Facilitated the creation of a key strategic partnership that was a critical source of early-stage capital, marketing, and distribution.
City Fresh Foods/Herrera’s Burritos: Worked with a team of consultants to provide an opportunity analysis for a proposed new food-venture for an inner-city catering company. Conducted industry and market research as well as operational, strategic and pro-forma financial analysis. The client adopted the recommendations of the team. This project won the 2001 Initiative for a Competitive Inner City and National Business School Network national competition in strategy consulting to inner-city businesses.

Interim Director of Urban Social Enterprises:

The Food Project: Led client’s team in the launch of two new food-based enterprises in Boston’s inner-city: fresh salsa, and luncheon meal-delivery business. Managed day-to-day operations of these youth-managed businesses, developed and implemented: short and long term business strategies, operational protocols and systems, organization-wide decision-making protocols and systems for enterprises. Conducted industry and market research, evaluated operational, financial, and mission-related impacts, and implemented new businesses, products, and product-line extensions. Managed entire hiring process for new executive chef to oversee and develop all urban enterprises.

Curriculum Development:

The Food Project: Managed project to develop a comprehensive youth entrepreneurship curricula. Researched and catalogued relevant existing curricula, developed comprehensive series of measurable learning objectives and performance benchmarks, and worked with program staff to develop, pilot, and document a new series of lessons designed to teach youth (14-21) critical concepts in business creation, management, and growth, within the context of competing mission-related and financial goals.

Accounting System Development and Review:

Salem Academy Charter School/BART Charter School/Highline Academy Charter School: Developed and implemented new accounting systems serving the needs of three new public charter schools (MA and CO). Developed related systems and trained key staff members.
The Food Project: Developed and implemented new accounting system to allow for timely and accurate financial analysis and reporting for a number of different not-for-profit social enterprises being run out of one kitchen. Developed related systems for required organizational data transfers, trained and managed key staff members, and ensured seamless integration with parent organization’s books.
The Food Project: Conducted a thorough analysis of a client’s overall accounting and reporting systems ($1.7 million organization) to improve managerial decision-making, to improve their ability to analyze the performance of both traditional programs and revenue-generating enterprises, and to improve the marketability and accountability of all programs. All recommendations were adopted.

Strategic Planning and Development:

Women Entrepreneurs in Science and Technology: Worked with client and board to develop a strategic plan, programmatic focus, and a fund development strategy to bring financial sustainability to this new nonprofit dedicated to coaching women PhD’s in entrepreneurship. Assisted with analysis of existing and potential revenue generating activities, developed new grant templates, identified funding prospects, and developed fundraising plan.
Fall River Boys and Girls Club: Wrote $250,000 capital grant application to the Kresge Foundation on behalf of a local Boys and Girls Club. Project completed October 2002.
- Foxhall Consulting Services has raised more than $10 million since 1997 on behalf of its clients.

Venture Philanthropy:

The Nelson Institute: Served as VP of Finance and Portfolio Development for start-up venture philanthropy fund. Developed and helped implement innovative model of venture philanthropy focused on high-potential start-up not-for-profits. Conducted all industry and competitor analysis. Developed portfolio development process, due diligence process, and all financial systems and models.
New Profit, Inc: Worked with team to present to client a comprehensive analysis of current evaluation metrics and methodologies employed for the measurement of intangible/social value creation. Project included extensive primary and secondary research including interviews with executives of leading venture philanthropy firms, traditional foundations, community development venture capital groups, and for-profit business incubators.

In addition to these engagements, I have worked as a development consultant to not-for-profit clients for seven years, serving primarily small to mid-sized organizations focused on youth and the environment. I have written hundreds of grants, have been responsible for the entire fundraising function with three different clients, and have helped organizations successfully plan for, and execute significant growth strategies.