"As a new leader of a Division that had been led by the same individual for the previous 20 years, our Department needed to revisit the mission and ensure that it and the strategies we were employing were in line with our strengths. Our team had been stretched thin for years and the strategic training process led by Kathy allowed us to objectively assess where our time was being poorly used and where we should prioritize. The data collection Kathy led with our key stakeholder groups and her facilitation of a two-day strategic planning session allowed our team to take a thorough look at the facts and to develop a high-quality, data-driven and mission focused plan for the next five years. This process was essential to illustrating not only to ourselves, but also to an external accrediting body, that our Department functions in a strategic manner with utilization of feedback loops to check progress and adjust actions – rather than operating in an authoritarian fashion with a single leader making all decisions."

- Katie Isselmann DiSantis, PhD, MPH, Associated Professor of Public Health, Arcadia Department of Public Health

 

"I would absolutely recommend Kathy to other non-profit leaders. She is a positive, consummate professional and the depth of her expertise is clear from the start. From non-profit leadership to fundraising to strategic planning, she brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to every project."

- Gregory J. Nardi, Executive Director, Bucks County Bar Association

 

"Are you a nonprofit leader, feeling overwhelmed by fundraising needs? Do you feel competent in your area of service provision but over your head when it comes to development strategies? Does the prospect of yet another fundraising event leave you wanting a drink? You don’t need a drink; you need a Beveridge.

Specifically, you need Kathy Beveridge of Spark Nonprofit Consulting to help you build a development approach that makes sense for your organization.

When Kathy joined our team at Generations, she began from the very beginning. She met a group of caring but frustrated nonprofit folks who knew we needed guidance in creating a better approach to funding needs. Kathy began with basic education and attainable first steps. She encouraged, cajoled, taught, and led us to increase the sophistication of our fundraising efforts. And through all of this, she was a true professional, following only the most ethical course of raising support.

This is not a quick process and a fundraising plan doesn’t always come easily. But Kathy is a steady leader and never discouraged. Together, we have formed a strong working relationship and we consider her an essential part of our team.

I’d encourage you to put down the glass…and pick up the phone!"

- Doug Eschbach, Executive Director, Generations of Indian Valley

 

"The Hepatitis B Foundation went through a 5-year strategic planning last fall. We used Kathy Beveridge of Spark Nonprofit Consulting (kathy@sparknpc.com) and were very pleased. If you haven’t worked with Kathy before, she is sharp as a tack, great at herding cats, very organized, and extremely patient. We were in the final hours of multiple sessions and hadn’t come to consensus on how to organize our strategic objectives. We were all tired and burned out… but Kathy was still able to keep us motivated and focused on very complex material, and we ended up with a great final product that will serve us well in the coming years."

- Jean Holmes, Vice President, Institutional Advancement, Hepatitis B Foundation

 

"We were desperately searching for help with our fundraising when we were referred to Kathy Beveridge, Spark Nonprofit Consulting. Kathy has been simply amazing! She has organized us and increased our productivity to the successful stage that construction of Lions Pride Park begins in a few weeks. We literally couldn't see the light at “the end of the tunnel” before Kathy inspired us to work harder and smarter on the path to success! To date we have raised over $1 Million for the project. Thanks Kathy!"

- Jim Furlong, Chairman, Lions Pride Park Steering Committee

 

"Kathy helped lead our organization through its first ever Strategic Planning process.  Through her leadership we not only revamped our Mission and Vision but set the path for the future of the organization. She intentionally took the time to understand our organization and assist us in asking the “Big Questions.” Thanks to Kathy we have a dashboard tool which keeps us accountable and allows us to keep our strategic objectives forward facing. Professional, patient, punctual. I would highly recommend Kathy for any of her consulting services."

- Mark Thompson, President, Northern Lancaster Chamber of Commerce

 

"Working with Kathy has been a gift to me and my non-profit. As a founder and executive director with no previous experience in the non-profit world, Kathy has been nothing short of invaluable to me. Her guidance on strategic development, fund raising methods, and board development has been excellent and pivotal to our growth and success. Additionally, Kathy has a knack for sharing her expertise in powerful yet easily digestible nuggets. She is a joy to work with and I recommend her whole heartedly."

- Cheryl Rice, Founder, You Matter Marathon – no running required

 

"As a business consultant myself, I know the value of receiving honest advice. Kathy routinely provides the Youth Orchestra of Bucks County very sound advice. Where I see her true value, however, is in her ability to facilitate the process of Board action. Kathy tells us what we need to hear, even when we aren’t always interested in listening. Such fidelity in consulting has led to measurable improvements in Board performance."

- Joe Hochreiter, Past President of the Board, Youth Orchestra of Bucks County

 

"The Youth Orchestra of Bucks County was going through a period of rapid growth and needed assistance in developing a board with the skills and vision to support that growth. Engaging Kathy Beveridge, president of Spark Nonprofit Consulting, to guide us through the process was the best move we could have made. She helped us analyze the skills of our current board members, define the skills our board lacked, identify and interview prospective board members, and develop a strong committee structure. Her knowledge and experience, perceptive insights, and incredible follow-up soon made her an invaluable and trusted advisor to our board. She connected us to resources, advised us in creating organizational policies and processes and mentored our development committee. Under her guidance, our board developed a strong and effective structure that supported our mission and facilitated growth. Kathy’s desire to understand our organization, ability to encourage and work with people, deep understanding of best practices for non-profits, and dedication to helping us reach our goals have made a profound and enduring impact on the Youth Orchestra of Bucks County."

- Colleen Sweetsir, Executive Director, Youth Orchestra of Bucks County