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Home > Nonprofit management consulting > Project experience > Nonprofit consulting
Our nonprofit clients
ACLA, an association of 43 member libraries, needed assistance in auditing their funding distribution formula and the process by which it was derived. Olszak was contracted to "ensure that due diligence was exercised in the public arena." First, Olszak conducted research into other funding allocation models to determine best practices. In addition, we met with 125 individuals representing the 43 member libraries, ACLA board, and ACLA staff to get their feedback on the recently completed formula and process. Olszak made recommendations based on our findings and facilitated discussion among members, board and staff. As of January 2008, ACLA and Olszak are working together again, this time to facilitate a collaborative and well-defined formula-development process that aims to provide the association with a strong funding distribution process and consensus-building tools for its future endeavors. The process was designed by Olszak and will occur over the course of 18 months.
In 2005, the Food Bank hired Olszak to explore the feasibility of profitable expansion for their wholesale buying program, through either an increased number of products, and/or an expansion of the customer base. During this investigation, Olszak conducted interviews with nine food banks that have wholesale buying programs to examine business model and feasibility of expansion, worked with the Food Bank staff to identify organizational assets that could be leveraged to expand the wholesale buying program and created final report assessing the feasibility for increased revenue through program expansion.
In 2006 Olszak assessed the feasibility and financial impact of a branch warehouse to serve counties in the north of its service area. Olszak conducted interviews with service providers, government officials, donors/supporters, and other agencies to determine the demand for a local branch. In addition, we created financial projections around two scenarios – creation of the branch vs. the status quo – to determine the cost of providing service to those counties.
Human service organizations in Somerset County wanted to be able to streamline communication and cooperation among agencies through the exchange of outcome indicators and other aggregate information. First, Olszak created a telephone survey of area human service providers to review their data collection efforts, determining what information was available, and what gaps needed to be filled. From these results and Olszak’s further research, we created a matrix that outlined data collection and usage among service organizations. Second, Olszak administered a survey to the agencies’ home service customers to determine levels of satisfaction with service delivery. Finally, Olszak conducted focus groups in each school district to gauge public perception of human services in Somerset County and determine how the various agencies could work more closely together. The research findings helped define the steps Somerset County would need to take in order to implement systematic information-sharing among providers in all human service areas (aging, youth, MH/MR, substance abuse, etc.).
ASSET (Allegheny Schools Science Education & Technology) Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to continuously improving the competencies of teachers with initial efforts in K-8 science education. A former National Science Foundation grant recipient, ASSET has successfully transitioned to an operationally self-sustaining organization. Olszak facilitated a strategic planning process to develop 3-5 year goals and objectives and a corresponding fiscal and resource development plan. In addition, our work created a regional and statewide financial and programmatic model for phased-in implementation of ASSET’s hands-on science education program.
Olszak developed a 3-5 year strategic plan and conducted an internal organizational assessment focusing on strengthening organizational structure and providing succession plan for executive director and other top-level positions. We also evaluated and made recommendations regarding the development of adequate and appropriate accounting systems. Prior to the launch of a major capital campaign, Olszak developed a one-year business plan including financial projections to support the campaign.
Girl Scouts needed to analyze the current needs and capabilities of four affiliates within the national organization (covering parts of three states and twenty-two counties). The goal was to identify administrative functions that could be more efficiently conducted through a strategic alliance in order to increase resources available for programming. Olszak conducted intensive research of consumer needs and interests. In addition, Olszak addressed the Girl Scouts' organizational re-structuring issues. Results included developing a shared regional development staff person, reviewing opportunities to consolidate facility use and further exploring opportunities for saving through joint purchasing and shared administrative services.
Imani Christian Academy sought assistance in increasing the strength of their management systems. Olszak facilitated planning sessions to address the organization’s future priorities and assessed the strengths and weaknesses of internal operations. We then designed and oversaw a plan to strengthen operational structure in the areas of financial management, board development and human resources. Resulting policies and procedures centered on formalized HR, finance, board, and education.
Olszak conducted an analysis of the organization’s internal strengths and weaknesses and external opportunities and threats. This required interviews with more than 40 individuals and reviewed eight national playback theater models. We facilitated a series of planning sessions with board, staff and actors to build consensus regarding future directions.
Other clients include:
- Starting Gate (formerly Beaver County CO-OP)
- Bethesda Children's Home
- Caregivers Institute
- Clarion/Venango Educational Resource Alliance
- Conservation Consultants, Inc.
- CONTACT Pittsburgh
- Creative Nonfiction
- Eastern Area Adult Services
- Hosanna House
- Lifesteps, Inc.
- Manchester Youth Development Center
- Milestone, Inc. (formerly Allegheny East Mental Health and Mental Retardation)
- Mon Valley Progress Council
- NAMI of Southwestern Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Cleanways
- Southwestern Pennsylvania Partnership on Aging
- Staunton Farm Foundation
- Sweetwater Center for the Arts
- 3 Rivers Connect
- Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf
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