Customized Solutions That Maximize Impact

    SIDE Strategies is an independent consulting firm that specializes in providing high quality support to organizations and institutions committed to improving the lives of others.

    Our Clients

    United Way of Greater Atlanta Image.
    Corewell Health Healthier Communities Image.
    Logo Image
    Logo Image
    Next Step of West Michigan Logo Image.
    People First Economy Logo Image.
    West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
    Public Thread Logo Image.
    Hope Murals Logo Image.
    Grand Rapids Community College Image.
    Davenport University Image.
    Upcycle Bikes Image.
    Mel Trotter Ministries Image.
    Logo Image
    Planned Parenthood
    Logo Image
    WMCAT
    Logo Image
    Logo Image
    Logo Image
    Logo Image
    Logo Image
    Logo Image
    Ferris State University Logo

    Our Services

    Through the development of strategic systems, processes, and programming, we help our clients strengthen and evaluate their services in order to maximize impact for those they passionately serve.

    Pi Chart Icon

    Evaluation and Data Management

    From one-time evaluation needs to ongoing services, we help clients generate data and put findings into action.

    Services Icon

    Grant Management

    We develop and implement strategic grant management practices that support our clients’ fund development plans, enhancing sustainability now and into the future.

    Services Icon

    Nonprofit Consulting

    We work with organizations in all phases of their journey, with a special emphasis on supporting new nonprofits to develop infrastructure that enhances their ability to reach their strategic goals.

    Project Highlights

    We're fortunate to collaborate with high-impact organizations working to create meaningful change.

    Public Thread Logo

    Organizational Development - Public Thread

    The Delta Project Image.

    Organizational Development - The Delta Project

    Keli Christopher instructing students on STEM Subjects

    Program Evaluation - STEM Greenhouse

    Client Feedback

    “I really like the approach that SIDE Strategies took in working with us. The questions of inquiry really helped our team to better understand the what and why of our work. The team is caring, collaborative, and efficient. They challenged us in a healthy manner, which resulted in deliverables that were insightful, practical, and actionable. Our team members have reported significant gains in seeing our principles actualized by their work and the work of their colleagues. I believe that SIDE Strategies could help virtually anyone to become a better version of their organizational selves.”

    Raynard Ross

    Associate Dean, Student Success for Persistence & Completion

    “Katie helped me move forward on some key elements of the organization. She understood systemic change work and how to connect it to programming and funding. I like that I can explain the multitude of ideas we have and Katie could help to organize and build out the sequencing and critical components for fundraising and growth. She helped us launch from a position of strength which will be invaluable as we grow.”

    Janay Brower

    Founder/CEO

    “Having the support of SIDE Strategies has allowed us to receive the funding we need to expand our programming. Evaluation is its own thing. Its own language. Its own area of expertise. It would be impossible for me to produce the quality of measurement tools and reports on my own. I trust SIDE Strategies to handle my evaluation needs and they have never disappointed me.”

    Keli Christopher, PhD,

    Founder & Chief Executive Director at STEM Greenhouse

    “Katie really helped us think about strategic issues that would help Upcycle Bikes be more attractive to grant funders. She helped us refine our mission and vision, develop a more detailed and broader budget, strategically think about grant funding targets, develop narratives around our operations and our impacts, and create a survey to collect end user demographic data.

    Rick Armbruster

    President and Founder of Upcycle Bikes

    “Katie is knowledgeable and professional, and very pleasant to work with. She efficiently guides conversation around curriculum well so that program developers get to understand how to do what they want to do. Both department chairs and I agree that we couldn't have done what we did without Katie's help. We truly appreciate her partnership with us.”

    Gerald Nyambane

    PhD, Dean

    “Katie's deep knowledge and ability to synthesize our ideas into measurable outcomes is what made SIDE Strategies stand out. Our programming has been able to expand exponentially so that more kids and families dealing with the juvenile justice system are receiving opportunities to envision a future of their choosing.”

    Joel Van Kuiken

    Co-founder of The Delta Project

    “SIDE Strategies helps us by using their expertise in evaluation to both create effective quantitative and qualitative evaluation tools and provide digestible summaries of evaluation findings that we can share with staff and stakeholders. They also assist with our data entry needs for one of the grants that funds the program, which gives our Education staff more time to do what they do best.”

    Staci Rickman

    Director of Education at Planned Parenthood of Michigan

    Our Team

    The SIDE Strategies team brings a depth of knowledge and experience in organizational development, program evaluation, and systems change.

    Reach out to learn more about partnering with SIDE Strategies.