Strengthen Through Partnerships

Work together with clarity and strategy to achieve more than you could alone.

Collaboration is one of the most powerful ways to grow your impact. Whether through a merger, alliance, or new partnership, these moments open doors to reach more people and strengthen resources. Raise the Bar helps leaders evaluate options clearly, navigate sensitive conversations, and design partnerships that work in practice—not just on paper. From feasibility to full integration, we walk beside you to ensure your mission grows stronger.

Expand reach & collective impact

Build stronger, lasting alliances

Align resources with clarity

Your Path to Working With Us

Ready →

Book your free consult.
We’ll get to know your goals, challenges, and opportunities—then send you a custom proposal with a clear scope and budget.

Set →

Make the plan.
Together, we’ll map out the strategy, assessment, or roadmap that will get you where you want to go.

GET ON OUR CALENDAR

Go →

We make it happen.
Our team gets to work—implementing the plan, guiding your team, and making sure you have the systems, people, and resources to succeed.

Partnership & Merger Feasibility

Know before you leap.

You may be wondering if collaboration is the right move—or worried about what you don’t yet know. A potential merger or partnership can look exciting on the surface, but beneath that are questions about culture, finances, and long-term fit. We help you slow down, take a clear-eyed look at the facts, and weigh opportunities against challenges.

Together, we’ll evaluate alignment of mission, funding, and people so you can decide with confidence if moving forward is right for your organization.

What you get:

A clear assessment of opportunities and risks
Confidence in whether collaboration makes sense
Practical recommendations for next steps

Fundraising Program Start-Up & Capacity Building

Build smart from the start.

You know fundraising has to grow if your mission is going to grow—but building a development program from scratch can feel overwhelming. Do you hire staff? Launch a campaign? Where do you even begin? We help you design a smart, phased approach that fits your size and resources. Instead of jumping straight to a costly full-time hire, we lay the groundwork: systems, donor base, and strategies that start producing results now while preparing you for sustainable growth.

With our support, you’ll raise money sooner, avoid costly missteps, and be ready when it’s time to bring staff on board.

What you get:

A lean fundraising program that works now
Donor engagement strategies that build relationships
A roadmap to scale when your org is ready

Merger & Partnership Planning

Keep momentum through change.

Once you’ve decided to move forward, the details can feel daunting. How do you merge boards? What happens with staff? How do you explain the change to donors and the community? We walk beside you through every step—governance, staffing, fundraising, and communications—so no piece gets missed.

We also keep stakeholders engaged, ensuring your board, staff, and funders feel part of the process. With a thoughtful plan, the transition becomes less stressful and more empowering for everyone involved.

What you get:

A structured process that eases stress
Engaged and informed stakeholders
A smoother path to successful partnership

Post-Merger Integration

Make the new feel natural.

The hard decision is behind you—but the real work is just beginning. Combining systems, aligning staff cultures, and earning donor trust again can feel like a second mountain to climb. We make sure integration is handled with care, helping your team build a shared identity, unify operations, and show funders and the community that you’re stronger together.

With our support, the transition isn’t just managed—it becomes an opportunity to build credibility and excitement for what’s ahead.

What you get:

Unified systems and operations
A stronger, more cohesive culture
Clear communication with funders and donors

Board & Leadership Coaching for Collaboration

Support your leaders through change.

Even the best leaders feel stretched in times of change. Boards may hesitate, executives may second-guess, and everyone wonders if they’re making the right calls. Our coaching provides steady perspective and support, helping leaders navigate sensitive conversations, grow into new roles, and guide their organizations with confidence.

We make sure decision-makers feel equipped—not alone—as they carry the organization forward.

What you get: