Claire_Axelrad_078_circleWhat Can We Do Together?

To be the change we want to see in the world takes vision, leadership, information and wisdom.

You’ve got it; I want to help you flaunt it! I’m passionate about helping people and organizations play to their strengths and repair the world. What’s holding you back?

I can help! Call on me to coach, train, consult, assess, evaluate, speak and take on defined projects. I can work with you on-site or remotely, and am also available for convenient one-hour phone coaching and consultation to address specific and pressing challenges.

Ways we can work together include:

EXECUTIVE AND CAREER COACHING

Everyone can use a mentor. You deserve one! Someone you work with deserves one! Coaching can be a great way to define the real problem you’re facing, and then develop a practical plan to get to the roots of what’s holding you (or someone on your staff) back. And what is learned can then be passed on to others – creating tentacle-like benefits that spread across the entire organization. We can set up an ongoing relationship where I’m almost like ancillary staff, or we can talk for as little as one hour. Coaching is flexible and cost-effective.

Looking for a new role? Let’s look together! Whether you’re new to the sector or already in it, but just aren’t as happy as you’d like to be, I love helping people find the job they’re meant to be doing. Just need a quick review of your resume or cover letter?  Want to know how to promote your transferable skills?  Need help assessing your strengths? Let’s chat!

CONSULTING

Consulting is a bit like coaching on steroids. We take a holistic view of what’s keeping you up at night; then develop a practical plan of attack to help you sleep easier. It begins with fact finding; then moves on to plan development and implementation. Together we’ll clearly define the scope of the project, outline your objectives and work together to build a project plan and budget that meets your needs.

TRAINING/SPEAKING

A one-time presentation or workshop can give you the understanding and oomph you need to move forward. I love to teach. When I worked in the trenches, my staff would tell me “Claire, you’re running your own fundraising school on the side, and we’re your lucky students.”  I was honored; now I’m doing it full time — it’s truly my calling and passion! When I learn something, I want to pass it along.  Since I love to learn, you can be sure I’ll always have a lot to share. You’ll get not only tried-and-true techniques I’ve tested during 30+ years on the ground, but also the newest strategies, best practices and trends I’m learning every day.

E-GUIDES

This is condensed, affordable, easy-to-digest, targeted learning. You’ll find many options with lots of practical tips, checklists and worksheets to help you acquire the knowledge and skills you need – step-by-step.

HOUR OF POWER

Sometimes you just want to bat around a few ideas or share a particular problem you’ve been unable to resolve. Rather than hire me for a big block of time, an hour is often all it takes. I know not everyone has a big budget for consulting, training, coaching and mentoring. But that doesn’t mean that everyone can’t use a little help now and then.

WEBINARS/PODCASTS

Some people learn best this way. It’s also an alternative to an on-site presentation, which can be more expensive. I can present on a wide range of topics, depending on your needs and interests. Let’s talk!

What Will We Accomplish Together?

You tell me which arrangement works best for your personal style and budget. I’m not rigid. We can combine them. Here are some of the things I can help you with:

  • Energize your board.
  • Invigorate your staff.
  • Figure out why what you’re doing isn’t working.
  • Discover what you really want/need to accomplish, and how to get there.
  • Audit your existing development and communications infrastructure, staffing, plans and materials and suggest improvements.
  • Integrate your business, marketing and fundraising strategic plans.
  • Revitalize and modernize your annual giving program.
  • Build a major gifts and/or legacy giving program.
  • Develop kick-ass fundraising pitches, case statements and thank you letters.
  • Improve your donor retention program to put you on the road to long-term sustainability.
  • Rejuvenate your branding and identity strategy.
  • Review your social media strategy and management.
  • Write and edit copy for website, e-news, online and offline appeals.
  • Recruit, hire, train and mentor development and marketing staff.
  • Career consultation for transitioning communications, marketing, sales, and fundraising professionals.

Contact me to discuss how we can work together to move your organization forward. If you’d like to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation, please click here.

If you’d just like to grab a quick ‘Hour of Power’ go right ahead. It’s amazing what we can get done in 60 short minutes – especially when you send me questions and materials to review in advance. So feel free to check out how this works!

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

Engaging your help was such a huge pivot moment for me and the Board.
Sometimes there are these moments in life that you only realize in retrospect were miracles – and that is exactly how I look back at that decision to work with you on our fundraising engine!

–        Julia Wilson, E.D., OneJustice

Utmost integrity and a brilliant mind
Claire is a superb professional, deep thinker and creative spirit in the service of philanthropy. I have worked with her in a variety of roles for nearly two decades, and have admired and supported her work. She is a person of utmost integrity, and a brilliant mind.

– Kay Grace, Principal, Transforming Philanthropy

A pile of experience – having done it all and having seen it all
She has a pile of experience – having done it all and having seen it all. Yet she thinks precisely, writes clearly and focuses on substance instead of appearance. Her feet are on the ground. Her advice is solid. She is interested in addressing issues and serving nonprofit leaders – not in hyping issues and impressing those leaders.

– John Burke, Founder, VisABILITY

A beautiful and spot-on blend of the many threads that make up the best fundraising efforts: the nurturing of relationships (including board members), strategic communications, staff development, storytelling, brand  dentity… I highly recommend Claire’s blog to my students in an online course for nonprofit managers enrolled at the University of California Los Angeles.

Mariana P. Danelly, J.D., Principal, NonprofitMD

Brilliant, Claire! Well done.

– Tom Ahern, Ahern Donor Communications