Our Portfolio
At Better Future Strategies, LLC we are adept at projects of any scale with a myriad of missions. Each of us is an opportunity identifier and problem solver.
Solid strategies & action plans
Financial and operational sustainability
Inclusive approaches to generate innovative ideas
Technology and data management to track success
Intensive research and data-driven analysis
Effective implementation management or advisory
ADAPTIVE STRATEGY
FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
RESILIENCE MANAGEMENT
KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT
Statement Arts
ADAPTIVE STRATEGY CASE STUDY
WHO THEY ARE
Statement Arts is a New York City-based nonprofit that believes in the power of an integrated arts education to cultivate the next generation of leaders who can inspire social and cultural change. Their holistic approach of high-quality arts education supports young people and offers the space for them to find their voices and add their statements to the world.
WHAT THEY NEEDED
In the past eight years, this arts-education/interdisciplinary non-profit has had rapid growth and needed a strategic plan that would solidify that growth and determine steps for a sustainable future.
HOW WE'VE HELPED
The goal of this project was to identify and assess a comprehensive view of the current landscape and a desired future for Statement Arts. Better Future Strategies developed a 5 year plan that reflected the vision of the founder and board. This customized and practical roadmap included a phase-based approach that will achieve operational and financial sustainability. Developing this plan also provided Statement Arts an opportunity to reassess and strengthen its efforts to level the educational playing field for NYC youth while maintaining a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
Purple Circle
FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY CASE STUDY
WHO THEY ARE
Purple Circle is an independent Early Childhood Program in New York City and committed to providing a research-based and culturally responsive program that reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve. We believe in the importance of promoting quality early learning environments for children that are culturally and developmentally diverse to achieve equality in education.
WHAT THEY NEEDED
Due to the challenges during the COVID19 pandemic, a strong community needs emerged for a high quality early childhood education and cares for infants and young toddlers. This led Purple Circle to expand the current toddlers and preschool programs. In addition, the existing location’s lease ended and unable to renew for a bigger space, therefore, additional funding is required to obtain a new location to expand the program.
HOW WE'VE HELPED
Better Future Strategies delivered a fundraising plan to Purple Circle Early Childhood Program. During our partnership, we researched, identified, and prioritized potential funders based on their respective missions, the type of causes they fund, past and current grantees, and their funding history. The next steps included building contacts and relationships to gain insights on the grant review and approval process. This includes strengthening the visibility of the organization through rating agencies like GuideStar, Charity Navigator, BBB Wise Giving Alliance, etc. Our team identified potential funders and their requirements, and then developed a fundraising action plan.
International Human Rights Arts Festival
RESILIENCE DEVELOPMENT CASE STUDY
WHO THEY ARE
The International Human Rights Art Festival(IHRAF) embodies the power of art and artists to heal the world. IHRAF works at the highest political and corporate levels to advocate for human rights, drive positive social change and strengthen human connections. Its mission is to unite artists and activists in the fight to advance humanity’s highest ideals. The programs include ongoing series of art-activist events, festivals, workshops, literary activities, award programs and community engagement at the intersection of art, advocacy, and society.
WHAT THEY NEEDED
Last few years, IHRAF’s programs grew exponentially and the existing operational and programmatic structure was not able to meet the needs. It was imperative that IHRAF identifies practical and achievable goals to build capacity of organization to support the growth of the programs.
HOW WE'VE HELPED
Better Future Strategies conducted operation and program evaluations to develop strategic and fundraising goals with specific target metrics to enable the IHRAF to fuel structural, operational and financial growth. One of the main fundraising goals was to diversify funding and revenue sources to expand staff, support current programs and develop new endeavors. In addition, we evaluated the current governance structure to develop board development recruitment strategies and staffing expansion, to support the rapid growth of the organization. This effort identified strategic directions to diversify the board and staff, reflecting the constituents of IHRAF around the world.
Columbia Nonprofit Risk Management Workshop
KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT CASE STUDY
WHO THEY ARE
The Master of Science Nonprofit Management Program at Columbia University prepares graduates for leadership roles within mission-driven organizations in a wide variety of contexts, including global and community nonprofits, foundations, education, healthcare, the arts, or as fundraising and development experts. The program reflects the growth and increased sophistication of the nonprofit sector, as well as the need for nonprofit organizations to demonstrate impact more effectively. Students become conversant with new technologies, digital media, and data analytics, as well as public-private partnerships, which are being deployed to help solve some of the most intractable problems across the globe.
WHAT THEY NEEDED
As part of the professional development workshop series of the program, risk management practice was recognized as an area of focus to build stronger knowledge and awareness in the nonprofit sector. The pandemic highlighted the needs and benefits of risk management to build organizational resilience.
HOW WE'VE HELPED
The Master of Science Nonprofit Management Program at Columbia University invited our Founder and Principal, Jessie Lee, and Strategy and Governance Advisor, Manoj Panjwani, to host a risk management workshop. Jessie and Manoj developed and led a workshop on how risk management strengthens organizational resilience through financial and operational sustainability and flexibility, all while being ready for the next crisis. Topics included the opportunities and risks that have surfaced during COVID-19 and the BLM movement such as non-profit risk management, resilience through crises and unforeseen events without compromising mission and goals. Ultimately, students, alumni and faculty gained a deeper understanding of immediate and long-term impacts on their nonprofits’ operations and strategic direction.
Some of Our Organizations
What People Say
TOM BLOCK
FOUNDING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS
ART FESTIVAL
“Better Future Strategies and Jessie Lee were central to the growth of the International Human Rights Art Festival, in terms of program visioning, strategic planning and structural development. Jessie greatly expanded our understanding of not only what we needed to thrive and grow, but also how to set out the necessary steps to get there, especially in these challenging times for non profit organizations."
ELAINE KARAS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
LAURIE KALINOWSKI
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
PURPLE CIRCLE EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM
"Working with Jessie through Better Future Strategies has been a partnership that holds knowledge, compassion and professionalism. Jessie is an organized researcher who has a wealth of information to provide to her clients. Jessie responds quickly to questions and concerns and brings humanity into a working relationship. We are fortunate to have found a person who is patient and understanding of the needs of her client."
LIZA POLITI
FOUNDER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, STATEMENT ARTS
"I knew that working with Jessie Lee was going to be different the moment I met her at a 'speed consulting' event. She had done her research and was super prepared but unlike many of the other consultants we have met in the past, she really listened to the specific challenges we faced and helped us identify strategies that worked for us. She was also very good at recognizing the things that made Statement Arts special, and helped us find ways to highlight them. She is anti- one size fits all, anti-cookie cutter. We hired her to help us with our strategic plan." and haven't looked back since.