Ready to Make Your Strategy Actually Work?
You're here because you want more than just another ineffective planning process. Let's talk about what working together can do for you.
Bring Everyone's Best to the Table
We create space where all voices matter – your board, staff, and community all have wisdom to share. No more dreading those planning meetings!
Focus on What Really Matters
Together, we'll cut through the noise to find your true priorities. Think clarity and alignment, not endless debates and confusion.
Create Plans That Actually Work
Say goodbye to dust-collecting documents! We'll build a strategic plan you'll actually use – one that's clear, actionable, and energizing.
Work With a True Strategy Expert
Strategy isn't our side gig – it's our passion and expertise. Unlike consultants who dabble in strategic planning alongside other services, this is what we do day in and day out.
Make Decisions That Stick
Even with large groups and lots of voices, we'll help you reach meaningful consensus. No more endless circles of indecision!
Boost Your Funding Potential
Funders love organizations that know where they're going! We'll help you create a clear plan that shows your impact and attracts support.
Meet Your Strategic Partner.
Hi, I’m Carol Hamilton.
After years of working with nonprofits, I've learned that the best strategic planning isn't about creating documents – it's about creating clarity, alignment, and momentum.
What makes working with me different?
I Focus Solely on Strategy
This isn't a side offering – strategic planning and organizational development are my passion and expertise. When you work with me, you get someone who lives and breathes this work every day.
I Build on What Works
Instead of starting from scratch, we'll tap into your organization's existing strengths and successes. My approach helps you identify opportunities for innovation while building on what you already do well.
I Make the Process Energizing
Forget dry, painful planning sessions. My collaborative approach keeps people engaged, builds genuine consensus, and creates momentum for change – all while making sure every voice is heard.
Want to learn more about how we might work together? Let's talk about your organization's unique needs and goals.
In person. Online. A bit of each.
No matter where we meet, we’ll arrive with a bias for action. Listen deeply. Speak candidly. Remain down-to-earth. Bring a learning orientation. Serve as a safe rudder in a storm. And guarantee we laugh. A lot.
Sure, our process is analytical. It’s also rooted in honoring group dynamics—how everyone is feeling and engaging. That’s why our equity-driven work combines both left brain (analytics) with right brain (emotions). Over time, we’ll move through a whole-brain process via which your entire organization thrives.
What we know for certain: The best teams laugh together as they work together. They’re curious and inquisitive as they challenge conventional wisdom, imagine new possibilities, and solve pressing challenges.
They ask unusual questions, like this one (among our favorites): “What if we were to…?”
Why
Grace
Social Sector
Consulting
Grace, as in that gift we give ourselves and others to be ourselves, without perfection; and the grace within a great strategy—a plan that’s straightforward and human-centered.
Social Sector, as a more positive and more encompassing term than “nonprofit,” and more about what IS rather than what is NOT.
Consulting, as a strategic thought partner with nonprofits, association boards, staff, and key volunteers. Collectively, we change the world for the better.
Carol Hamilton
Founder
“While many strategic planning consultants use a firm (and sometimes unmovable!) process, Carol tailored hers to meet our needs. She’s calm, personable, relaxed, and professional. She takes time to listen. She’s clearly an expert, but doesn’t sermonize.
Beyond facilitating stakeholder interviews, surveys, and focus groups, Carol brought an intercultural competence to generate great outcomes for us. These included a valuable suite of educational materials.
Frankly, we dreaded trying to do strategic planning work in a pandemic, but Carol brought grace to each task.
What we thought would be horrible was actually fun! As a team, we feel optimistic about our plan—one that’s both aspirational and achievable.”
More about Me
Formal Education
American University, Master’s degree in Organization Development
BoardSource, Certificate of Nonprofit Board Consulting
University of Virginia Darden School of Business, Certificate in Design Thinking
Swarthmore College, Bachelor’s degree in history
University of Göttingen, German and Polish History
Additional Cred
Work with a broad range of clients on strategic planning, social impact mapping, and organizational assessment—all through an equity lens
Deeply understand strategic planning within nonprofit sector—it’s been my sole focus for the past decade
Host of the Nonprofit Mission: Impact podcast
Bring expertise on organization development (in fact, I have a Master’s in OD)…a fancy term for helping groups work better together via improved group dynamics and smarter strategy.
Been creating online learning experiences for 20+ years (including online conferences, scenario-based e-learning, webinars, and hybrid leadership-development programs).
Licensed consultant through the nonprofit Standards of Excellence program
Member of the Institute for Conservation Leadership’s consultant network
Member of the Maryland Nonprofit’s consultant network
“I appreciated how you stayed faithful to the scope of work, kept yourself accountable, and managed time so well. The agendas and check-ins reassured us that everything would get done. Your business management of the consulting project was excellent. ”