Capacity Building

• Board Development
• Racial equity and building anti-racist systems
• Marketing plans, digital marketing, social media, branding, visual presentation, collateral
• Assessing overall needs of the organization & helping to prioritize capacity building steps
• Organizational development, strategic planning, volunteer recruitment, and executive coaching

alterNative consulting is a consulting group led by Victor Rodriguez and Dr. Damarys Espinoza. As Indigenous Xicanxs deeply rooted in our communities, we are committed to working with community organizations with a deliberate focus on advancing racial justice and equity across King County. We combine interdisciplinary expertise with our lived experience to provide you with tailored services -- building a new initiative, strategic planning, facilitation, program development, community engagement, qualitative research, policy analysis, and much more. We incorporate an "equity and social justice lens" to all the work we do. Guiding values that inform our work as capacity builders include: 1) building community power; 2) building bridges; and 3) building relationships. Our role as capacity builders is to work in partnership with community organizations to foster their strengths and in doing so, build community power.

•  Legal capacity building support

Communities Rise can work with BSK-funded organizations on the following types of legal issues:

• Nonprofit corporate governance, such as drafting and amending bylaws;
• 501(c)(3) compliance and other nonprofit compliance issues;
• Fiscal sponsorship agreements;
• Contract review and drafting;
• Trademark, copyright, and other intellectual property issues;
• Employment issues, such as employee benefits and correct treatment of employees and independent contractors;
• Commercial leases and other real estate legal issues;
• Limited help with legal disputes: We cannot assist nonprofits with lawsuits once they have been filed in court. We may be able to assist nonprofits with disputes before they reach court. For example, we may be able to assist with disputes between a nonprofit and their landlord or a vendor. We evaluate such matters on a case-by-case basis.

Communities Rise fosters movements to build power in communities in Washington impacted by systemic oppression. To create an equitable system, we pursue cross-sector collaboration, and provide technical assistance, capacity building and legal services for nonprofit organizations and small businesses. We recognize the strength and resilience in our communities and offer our support through peer learning, coaching, trainings, technical assistance, and a community-led approach to legal assistance. By valuing community voices, prioritizing racial equity, and sharing knowledge, we aim to build thriving communities.

Through Communities Rise’s in-house staff attorneys and our large network of volunteer attorneys, we have been providing high-quality free legal services to BSK-funded organizations since 2018. Our free legal services are intended for organizations with limited financial resources that are unable to afford an attorney. Communities Rise’s lead attorney on our assistance to BSK clients is Livio De La Cruz, our Nonprofit Attorney.

• Board Development
• Data & Evaluation
• Equity and Racial and Social Justice
• Finance
• Fund Development
• Human Resources
• IT Support – project management systems, IT planning, infrastructure assessment, IT hiring, IT roadmap creation, product assessment and business analysis
• Marketing plans and strategy, social media plans, videography, website development
• Assessing overall needs of the organization & helping to prioritize capacity building steps
• Organizational development, strategic planning, executive coaching

Crux is a multidisciplinary consulting group that supports the development of strong leaders and leadership. At the heart of all that we do is a deep commitment to developing systems changes centered in principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We help teams design and initiate organizational evolution, disrupt entrenched patterns, and capture strategic opportunities. At Crux we bring together an expert team, investing our decades of experience in your capacity to deliver on your priorities.

• Data and Evaluation

Dicentra Consulting is a BIPOC- and woman-led team of data experts committed to advancing equity and social justice, and to providing culturally and linguistically appropriate capacity-building assistance. We will work with you to center the voices of your communities by coming alongside you to collect, analyze, and present the numbers and stories that paint a picture of the strengths and realities of the people you serve. We focus on building transformational relationships that are based on trust and respect and a belief in the inherent worth of all people and cultures. Our team speaks Amharic, Cantonese, Korean, Malay, Spanish, and Tigrina. Together, we bring over 70 years of experience in several areas related to program development, data analysis, and evaluation, including:

• Designing and implementing programs, databases, and evaluation plans
• Developing quantitative and qualitative data collection tools
• Conducting community needs assessment
• Analyzing, interpreting, and visualizing quantitative and qualitative data
• Writing reports and telling data stories

Reach out to see how we can partner to tell your story and build your capacity!

• Data and Evaluation

Dynamic and Innovative Research Solutions (DIRS) is a minority, woman owned Washington State Office of Minority Women’s Business Enterprise (OMWBE), and King County Small Contractor and Suppliers (SCS) certified consulting company. We are a diverse group of community-based researchers representing a range of racial, ethnic, sexual/gender minority and ability groups with subject matter expertise in economics, education, psychology, public health, public policy, social work, and statistics.  Between us, we have more than 80 years of experience and are nationally recognized experts in one or more subject matter areas.  Using a culturally responsive and equity-focused approach, our work with our clients is authentic and collaborative, yet efficient ensuring that findings demonstrate the great work your agency is doing. We offer data coaching and data analysis so that service-based organizations improve their ability to collect, track, understand, interpret, report and use data effectively, giving you the ability to make informed decisions, optimize operations, achieve sustainable growth, and reduce risk of error and noncompliance with funders.

• Equity, social justice, racial justice, and bias awareness
• Human resources
• Organizational needs assessment
• Organizational development and strategic planning

Krystal Henderson Ed.D., founder of Henderson Professional Mentorship Group, and her team have over 40 years of experience supporting organizations and institutions in a variety of areas including organizational development, equity, social and racial justice, and capacity building. Rooted in a powerful critical mentorship framework of love, HPM Group’s motto is “We walk with you”. Starting from wherever you are, HPM Group is committed to supporting your goals, dreams, and serving as a caring accountability partner in the process. HPM Group specializes in offering tailored program design and implementation training to organizations seeking to enhance their operational efficiency and effectiveness. Additionally, they provide executive coaching and mentorship services to assist leaders in honing their skills and achieving their professional goals.

HPM Group has a signature START program that they are excited to share with awardees to support organizational development, strategic planning initiatives, human resources, assessment of organizational needs, equity, social justice, racial justice, and bias awareness. The START Program is a comprehensive training and development series that features planning, intensive workshops, as well as monthly follow-ups and support.

• Equity and Racial and Social Justice
• Fund Development
• IT
• Organizational needs assessments
• Organizational development, executive coaching

Inclusive Data is a consulting team of grant winners and tech wizards who support clients in creating community-led solutions. We’ve honed our grant skills into a $30+ million playbook for nonprofits and small businesses in our community. We’re proud to mirror the communities we serve.

For BSK, we provide capacity building support around IT, fund development, research, organizational needs assessment, and organizational development in English, Spanish, Hiligaynon, and Tagalog. We also provide technical assistance for Best Starts funding opportunities. If you want help creating your own irresistible grant proposals or building the capacity of your team to create their own solutions, we are here to support you.

• Board Development
• Fund Development
• Organizational development, volunteer development, program development, executive coaching, strategic planning

JeeYoung Dobbs is a fundraising and capacity building consultant based in King County. Having spent her entire professional career in the nonprofit sector, she brings extensive experience in all things fundraising, including annual giving, capital campaigns, strategic planning, annual budgeting, grant strategy, and much more. Connection, collaboration, and reciprocity are at the heart of everything she does. JeeYoung is committed to fundraising approaches that honor the lived experiences, wisdom, and aspirations of community. She specializes in partnering with community-based organizations seeking to expand their resourcing and fundraising strategies that are values-aligned and community-centered.  

• Board development
• Equity and Racial and Social Justice
• Fund development
• Organizational needs assessment
• Organizational development – case statements, organizational storytelling

Pamela J. Oakes, owner of The Profitable Nonprofit, is a Fund & Organizational Development expert passionately promoting Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access (IDEA) in philanthropy.  She conducted Equity & Inclusion workshops while consulting the top corporations in South Africa during the post-apartheid Racial Reconciliation period.  As a former grant maker with the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation, her work is laser-focused on revenue generation and diversification; donor acquisition and retention; effective governance & board leadership; and implementing transformative organizational visions and sound operational systems. She leaves nonprofits with robust fundraising strategies to enable catalytic funding goals and foundational program offerings aligned with a strategic plan that deliver quantitative evidence of credibility and service. Pamela is a certified state trainer for the Washington Nonprofit Association, as well as the Nonprofit Association of Oregon. Her aim is to lift others up through her work by translating ‘hope’ into articulate, strategic, actionable intents.

• Board development
• Finance
• Human resources
• Marketing and communications
• Organizational development - strategic planning, program development, program management and leadership coaching

reimagine collective supports community-based organizations with capacity-building services that strengthen their foundations and amplify their impact. Our expertise spans these key areas:

1. Board Development: We help organizations build engaged, effective boards through governance training, strategic planning, and recruitment, onboarding and retention support, ensuring alignment with organizational missions and long-term goals.
2. Fiscal Management: Our financial capacity-building services enhance transparency and sustainability by streamlining accounting systems, developing budgets, and ensuring compliance with funder requirements.
3. Human Resources: We help design inclusive HR systems that reflect organizational values, offering support in creating employee handbooks, establishing equitable compensation strategies, and implementing performance management practices.
4. Marketing and Communications: We help organizations build narrative power to influence change by providing expertise in strategic communications, digital creative content, brand development, campaign strategy and website design.
5. Organizational Development: We guide organizations in strategic planning, program development, and program management and coaching, enabling them to align their vision with actionable plans for sustained growth.

With a collaborative, culturally responsive approach, reimagine collective supports organizations to overcome challenges and create lasting change in their communities.

• Board development - We provide comprehensive board development training
• Equity & Anti-Racism work - Our team facilitates racial equity training and helps organizations build sustainable anti-racist systems and practices.
• Finance – Nonprofit accounting and bookkeeping systems support
• Fund development & fundraising - We offer guidance on fundraising strategies and help organizations develop robust development systems to ensure long-term sustainability.
• Marketing, communications & design – RHL’s services include communications strategy, messaging development, social media management, and analytics assessment. We also provide professional graphic design and website development.
• Organizational needs assessments
• Organizational development strategic planning & leadership development - We provide leadership and executive coaching to help organizations achieve their mission-driven goals.

RHL Consulting partners with BSK-funded organizations to strengthen their capabilities. We believe that relationships are fundamental to creating lasting change. Our team is dedicated to advancing equity by strengthening the collective power, knowledge, and systems that build community well-being. We listen intently to understand each organization's unique cultural practices and values, believing deeply in the wisdom that exists within communities. Together, we develop strategies that build upon organizational and community assets while working to disrupt systemic oppression. We support your organization's growth with a comprehensive toolbox of resources and methods, adaptable to your specific culture, needs, and interests. Our approach is grounded in our core values of community, generosity, and integrity, and we bring open minds and humility to every partnership. We are honored to serve!

• Equity and Racial and Social Justice and bias awareness. Our approach balances accountability with compassion, creating a safe space for learning and growth.
• Organizational development – assessment, strategic planning, leadership development, management coaching. Our practices are grounded in a framework of social and racial equity.

Talitha Consults is a leading firm specializing in strategic capacity-building services that empower community-based organizations and social impact initiatives. We are seasoned regional planners, researchers, facilitators, communicators, designers, and community builders. We come alongside our clients to create strategies and tools for capacity building, meaningful civic engagement, community building, and policy planning. Through tailored solutions and thoughtful engagement, Talitha equips our clients to navigate challenges and confidently embrace opportunities. Collectively, we speak, read, and write fourteen languages, including the most spoken languages in WA State – Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Russian, and Somali.

As a woman-owned, King County-certified Small Contractor and Supplier based in Tukwila, WA, Talitha brings first-hand insight into the unique challenges faced by organizations seeking capacity-building services while striving to honor and uplift every client we serve. Committed to fostering genuine change, we’ve supported numerous community-based organizations, small businesses, and various agencies with capacity-building services in the past few years.  With a deep commitment to equity and a passion for driving social impact, Talitha is a perfect partner for meaningful and sustainable change.