Let’s challenge our potential to do good.
My practice focuses on what I refer to as the ecosystem. Local governments, community-based organizations, think tanks, and philanthropies comprise an ecosystem that has the potential to positively impact people’s lives.
Other services include strategic partnering, legislative drafting training, and opinion writing.
The Ecosystem
Local Government Agencies
ThinkForward Strategies works with cities, counties, school districts, and other public agencies interested in dismantling the barriers that impede good governance and equitable policymaking.
Interested in being more responsive to community needs? We can do that. Want a comprehensive analysis of which policies you have on your books and which ones you’re missing to accomplish your goals? We can do that too. Have some outdated, old fashioned, contradictory, and maybe even illegal (ssshhhh) laws still hanging around? We can identify those and figure out what to do with them.
Nonprofit Leaders & Community-Based Organizations
ThinkForward Strategies excels at supporting organizations with diverse strategies and funding streams to coalesce around common goals.
If you’re looking to embark on a lengthy strategic planning process that results in a plan that sits on a shelf, we respectfully suggest that you close this tab immediately. But if you’re interested in developing and implementing a plan with specific, practical steps, let’s connect. If you want to engage in scenario planning – that is, assessing how your organization’s mission and current assets align with changing conditions – definitely get in touch. If you’re looking for someone to facilitate your next retreat or series of convenings, give us a call. And if you’re looking for someone to support hard conversations and build consensus within your organization or with external partners, we should talk … right away.
Think Tanks
ThinkForward Strategies partners with think tanks to diagnose current challenges and push research in new, bold directions.
Are you asking the right questions? Have you connected with folks on the ground who will be impacted by your work? We thrive at having structured conversations to generate fresh thinking for new and persistent problems.
Philanthropies
ThinkForward Strategies helps philanthropies understand and utilize all of the potential arrows in their quiver to complement a more traditional grantmaking approach.
Are you looking to expand your impact? What strategies have you employed? Which new ones are you willing to try? Have you considered litigation? We’ve worked with foundations large and small to increase their impact to ensure lasting change.
Other Services
Strategic Partnering
Want to connect with someone who’s “been there, done that”? Or maybe someone who can offer a different perspective or subject matter expertise? Or maybe just someone who’s sharp and insightful to help you think through an innovative idea or particularly tricky challenge. Having worked with all sorts of lawyers, policy experts, scholars, nonprofit leaders, community advocates, and state and local government officials, ThinkForward Strategies can expand your network and connect you with someone who knows how to overcome whatever challenge you’re facing.
Legislative Drafting Training
ThinkForward Strategies offers a three-part training series that elevates legislative drafting as a tool to promote social justice. The series is geared towards policy advocates and lawyers who are new to legislative drafting. At the end of it, participants will be able to turn vague policy ideas into concrete legislation, craft specific provisions aimed at achieving sustained, equitable outcomes, and avoid common drafting pitfalls that can lead to unintended negative consequences.
Opinion Writing
We’ve all been there. New research emerges and you have something to say. A news article is making the rounds, but a critical viewpoint - your viewpoint - is missing. But who has the time to respond? ThinkForward Strategies can help you craft op-eds and letters to the editor quickly, efficiently, and right on point.
“In a very short time, Ben proved himself to be indispensable to us. We have benefited from the fact that he works at a high level and with a wide network across many areas: public health, the law, and academic research. He has great ideas and he gets things done.”
— Kim Haddow, Director, Local Solutions Support Center
