Services

    Our Focus

    We utilize a collaborative approach in the delivery of all of our services, working closely with our clients to develop customized solutions for their organizational development and evaluation needs.

    Evaluation and Data Management

    We use utilization-focused evaluation methods and develop systems to collect relevant, applicable, and functional data that guides your practice. From one-time evaluation needs to ongoing services, we help to make data collection part of the fabric of your work and facilitate the generation of actionable findings that support your organization’s decision making.

    We work with nonprofits to:

    • Evaluate programs and services
    • Develop Theory of Change and Logic models for programs
    • Establish monitoring metrics and tracking mechanisms
    • Create qualitative and quantitative tools and instruments including surveys, pre/post tests, focus group moderation guides, and more
    • Produce annual reports with visual summaries and infographics
    • Analyze data using advanced statistical methods
    • Build databases 
    Placeholder Image

    Grant Management

    We take a holistic and strategic approach to grant management, helping to integrate grant seeking within your larger fund development plan and strategic priorities. Through a collaborative process, we connect you with grant opportunities that are in alignment with your mission, help to define and highlight your work, create measurable outcomes, and manage grant reporting and maintenance functions. 

    Our grant management services include:

    • Research and development of grant opportunities
    • Writing and submission of new and recurring grant applications
    • Management of grant reporting and annual grant summaries
    • Monitoring of metrics, participant tracking, outcomes, and data
    Placeholder Image

    Nonprofit Consulting

    We work with nonprofits to lay foundational systems, processes, and programs aligned with their mission. With a focus on organizational planning, technical assistance, and capacity building, we work with nonprofit organizations to provide holistic support that empowers them to reach their goals and make meaningful impact in the community. Appreciating that every organization is unique, our approach is to listen first and to create customized strategies that meet the moment.

    Our services include:

    • Organizational Planning
    • Vision and Mission Development
    • Program/service identification, development, and documentation
    • Strategic organizational and program budgeting
    • Board development
    • Process development and improvement
    • Implementation of evidence-based practices
    Placeholder Image

    Our Clients

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

    Our Clients

    Hear what our clients have to say about working with us

    “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

    Reach out to learn more about partnering with SIDE Strategies.