How We Work
Our Process
The What – Who – How Model
A different kind of advisory process.
Most philanthropy advisors begin with the how — the mechanics of donation vehicles, tax strategy, and grant reporting. We believe that approach puts the cart before the horse.
Our proprietary What–Who–How model begins with the questions that matter most: What change do you want to create in the world? Who is best positioned to create it? Only then do we design how to bring that vision to life — with a giving strategy, structure, and rhythm built entirely around your priorities and giving preferences.
Phase 01
Discover what you care about most.
We begin by exploring the issues and causes that matter most to you — the change you would create if resources were unlimited. This is not a checklist exercise. It is a genuine inquiry into your values, your history, and your vision for the world.
Step 1
Discovery Meeting
A structured conversation to understand your philanthropic history, motivations, and aspirations. We review past giving, explore what has felt meaningful, and begin mapping the landscape of your generosity.
Step 2
Giving History Review
We analyze two to three years of giving data — looking for patterns, gaps, and opportunities. What causes have you supported? What has felt most aligned? Where has impact been unclear?
Step 3
Values & Vision Exploration
Through guided conversation and reflection, we help you articulate the change you most want to see in the world. We identify the issues and causes that resonate most deeply — and begin to prioritize.
Phase 02
Define the kind of organizations you want to support.
Once your What is clear, we help you articulate the attributes of organizations best positioned to create that change. Rather than prescribing a list, we build a framework you can use to evaluate past recipients, assess new opportunities, and make confident giving decisions on your own terms.
Step 1
Defining Ideal Recipient Attributes
We help you identify the characteristics that matter most in a recipient organization — local or global, large or small, established or emerging, innovative or proven. These preferences become a durable lens for evaluating any organization you encounter.
Step 2
Reviewing Past & Current Recipients
Using your newly defined criteria, we look back at your giving history together — assessing how well past recipients align with your values and preferred attributes. This often surfaces important insights about what has and hasn't felt meaningful.
Step 3
Building Your Evaluation Framework
We document your organizational preferences in a clear, practical framework you can apply independently — to vet organizations you already support, evaluate new opportunities as they arise, and say yes or no with confidence.
Phase 03
Design a giving strategy that brings it to life.
Only once What and Who are clear do we turn to How — the mechanics, structure, and rhythm of your giving. This is where strategy becomes action, and generosity becomes impact.
Step 1
Giving Strategy Report
We develop a six-to-eight-page Giving Strategy Report documenting your priorities, preferred organizations, giving structure, and recommended approach. This becomes your philanthropic roadmap.
Step 2
Structure & Rhythm Design
We help you determine the right giving vehicles, timing, and cadence — whether that means annual grants, multi-year commitments, donor-advised funds, or a private foundation. The structure serves your strategy, not the other way around.
Step 3
Ongoing Partnership
Quarterly reflection and opportunity reviews keep your giving aligned as circumstances evolve. Optional ongoing program management and opportunity screening ensure you never miss a high-impact moment.
From First Conversation to Ongoing Partnership
The client journey, step by step.
Discovery Conversation
A no-obligation call to explore your goals and determine fit.
Engagement Agreement
We align on scope, timeline, and investment — then get to work.
What Exploration
Deep-dive sessions to map values, vision, and giving history.
Who Exploration
Define the attributes of ideal recipient organizations and build a framework for evaluating them independently.
Strategy Development
We draft and refine your Giving Strategy Report together.
Ongoing Advisory
Quarterly reviews, opportunity screening, and continued partnership.
The Core Deliverable
Your Giving Strategy Report.
At the heart of every client engagement is a six-to-eight-page Giving Strategy Report — a clear, personalized document that captures your values, priorities, organizational preferences, and a practical framework for making giving decisions with confidence.
This is not a generic template. It is a living document built entirely around you — one that empowers you to evaluate past and future recipients on your own terms, and evolves through quarterly reviews as your giving matures.
What's Included
- Summary of your values and philanthropic vision
- Priority issue areas and cause focus
- Attributes of ideal recipient organizations
- Criteria framework for evaluating past and future recipients
- Recommended giving structure and vehicles
- Annual giving rhythm and cadence
- Metrics for measuring alignment and impact
Ready to begin your giving journey?
Every engagement starts with a discovery conversation — a no-obligation call to explore your goals and determine whether we're the right fit for each other.