We partner with non-profits and foundations for transformational change.
Explore real-world examples of our work and impact below.
Case Studies
We’ve been honored to support over 60 nonprofit and philanthropic organizations. Our clients work on a broad range of issue areas—workforce development, education reform, or arts and culture—but they all have one thing in common: they’re working hard to improve lives in their communities and make transformational change. Our proven approach of translating strategic planning, fundraising and evaluation support into real impact can help you achieve your goals.
Browse case studies by service:
Browse clients by sector:
Strategic Planning
Valley Health Foundaton
Schonfield Consulting partnered with VHF to develop a 3–5 year strategic plan to guide the foundation’s next stage of growth. Through stakeholder interviews, committee collaboration, and an in-person retreat, we helped sharpen priorities and align strategies. The resulting plan strengthens VHF’s ability to resource critical public health programs—such as the Burn Center, Perinatal Equity Initiative, and art therapy for incarcerated youth—and chart a clear path forward.
Pajaro Valley Community Health Trust (PVCHT)
Schonfield Consulting guided PVCHT through a comprehensive strategic planning process grounded in board, staff, and community input. At a two-day retreat in Monterey, we refined mission, vision, goals, and long-term strategies. In collaboration with leadership and a planning committee, we produced a 3-year strategic plan with strong organizational buy-in and clear direction for the future.
Natural Resources Defense Council
Schonfield Consulting supported NRDC in developing a 5-year Strategic Plan for its India Initiative (2020–2025), shaping goals, strategies, and partnership approaches. Through visioning sessions, surveys, and planning workshops, we guided NRDC teams and India partners through a collaborative planning process. We also developed the program’s earlier 2016–2020 strategic plan.
Fundraising
Schonfield Consulting partnered with CCF to strengthen fundraising strategy and long-term sustainability. We built a pipeline of 200+ prospects, identified the top 25 “best-fit” foundations, and supported staff and board fundraising skills. Our work helped CCF deepen funder relationships and pursue $750,000 in new support to advance educational and economic mobility for justice-impacted women.
For ReWork the Bay’s 20th anniversary, we refined fundraising strategy, identified top aligned national and regional funders, and coached staff on relationship-building. Our partnership contributed to helping ReWork apply for a $250,000 national funding opportunity and boosting overall revenue. As staff shared, “Anne empowered us with a plan we could understand, believe in, and carry forward.”
Schonfield Consulting supported the OASIS Initiative in developing a targeted fundraising strategy, identifying “best-fit” foundations, and cultivating major donors—resulting in a $750,000 individual gift. We also facilitated annual fundraising retreats to strengthen staff and board engagement. As the Executive Director noted, “Anne was instrumental in crafting strategy, facilitating meetings, and fostering meaningful Board engagement.”
Grantmaking
From 2006 to 2019, Schonfield Consulting has assisted the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's Global Development Program with a wide range of grant making support. We've helped Program Officers to analyze over 50 proposals (for $1 million to $30 million grants), assisted with the development of a $44 million grant making program to strengthen education in developing countries, and worked one-on-one with potential grantees to refine proposals to meet foundation requirements.
We assisted senior staff at the Starbucks Foundation to develop and implement a $4 million grant making program to support coffee-growing communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Schonfield Consulting helped to develop the "Origins Community” grantmaking program, identified NGOs to invite for the RFP, designed proposal guidelines and assisted staff to make funding recommendations to the Foundation Board.
We supported Bayer (an international pharmaceutical company with manufacturing facilities in Berkeley CA) with their grants program focused on STEM education. Working closely with Bayer staff, we organized a 9 member grants committee, identified STEM organizations to apply, developed RFP guidelines, and helped determine grantees for $2 million in grants to improve STEM education and access to STEM training in the Bay Area.
Evaluation
Based in Lansing Michigan, Michigan Saves is the nation’s first nonprofit green bank. In 2022, Michigan Saves launched the Lead Poisoning Prevention Fund to help families address lead paint hazards in homes. We conducted an evaluation of the Lead Fund to better understand the success and challenges of this important program. We worked closely with Michigan Saves on stakeholder interviews, a survey of 600+ participants and other evaluation efforts. We analyzed the results and helped the Lead Fund reach more Michiganders with lead abatement loans and support.
For the Central Valley Community Foundation we conducted a landscape assessment of the impact of California's drought on community based organizations (CBOs). Based in Fresno CA, CVCF serves rural and farmworker communities in California’s Central Valley. Working with the foundation’s staff and Board, we collected data through a survey of Central Valley CBOs, conducted key stakeholder interviews, and organized a community listening session with over 60 community and nonprofit leaders. See the final assessment report here.
Schonfield Consulting conducted an evaluation of the Kenneth Rainin Foundation's Health Program, a $2 million initiative that supports bio-medical research. Using qualitative and quantitative methods, we worked closely with Rainin’s team to understand the program’s effectiveness and strengthen implementation. As Rainin staff explained "It was a pleasure working with Schonfield Consulting. Anne was super thoughtful and organized, and helped us translate lots of data into a very useful product for our Board."
Clients by Sector
Community Development & Social Equity
Education & Faith-based
Environment, Climate & Animals
Health & Social Services
Global Development
Foundations & Philanthropy
Women, Youth, & LGBTQ+
You’re changing the world… we can help.
Have a question about your strategy? Need support with your fundraising goals? Want to improve your impact but not sure where to start? Reach out, we’re ready to help!