Scaling Missions,
Solving Challenges.
We're here to help your nonprofit thrive
Research-Driven Insights,
Strategies, and Communications
to Help Accelerate the Ongoing Work of Nonprofit Organizations.
Full-Service marketing
support for nonprofit organizations
Making an impact isn’t easy—but it’s what you do best. Whether you’re tackling social issues, advocating for communities, or driving systemic change, nonprofits face unique challenges in funding, engagement, and visibility. That’s where we at S.I.R. come in. With decades of experience working alongside mission-driven organizations, we help you connect with stakeholders, inspire action, and amplify your impact. From strategic planning to branding and communications, we ensure your message resonates and your mission thrives.
You’re changing the world—we’re here to help.
Let’s make a difference together.
Strategies
Focused on creating solutions that empower nonprofits to thrive. Our team helps you navigate the complexities of fundraising, advocacy, and organizational growth to maximize impact.
Insights
Our in-house research team delivers data-driven insights that shape nonprofit strategies, helping organizations better understand their audiences, measure effectiveness, and drive engagement.
Results
Backed by in-depth market research, we specialize in strategic planning, branding, donor and community engagement, reputation and crisis management, as well as DE&I initiatives.
Strategic Planning & Data-Driven Outreach
Feed More
Enhancing food security through research and strategic engagement
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As one of Virginia’s leading food banks, Feed More needed to deepen its supporter engagement, optimize food distribution, and enhance operational efficiency. Initially, the organization sought to better understand donor motivations and improve communications. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically increased food insecurity, Feed More also had to rapidly adapt to rising community needs while planning for long-term sustainability.
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Since 2015, S.I.R. has worked alongside Feed More on multiple strategic initiatives, including:
Supporter segmentation & engagement – Conducted qualitative and quantitative research to segment donor and volunteer audiences, shaping a more targeted and effective communications strategy.
COVID-19 response planning – Led the Food Assistance Support Team (FAST) through a rapid planning process to identify community needs, establish short- and long-term goals, and enhance food sourcing and distribution capacity.
Food security modeling – Developed a data-driven approach by tracking food bank and SNAP program usage across Richmond’s 13 zip codes, guiding outreach and resource allocation.
2021-2024 strategic framework – Assisted in long-term strategic planning, conducting best practice research, stakeholder interviews, and board-led workshops to shape an implementation plan driven by data and partnerships.
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Through S.I.R.’s ongoing collaboration, Feed More has strengthened its operations, enhanced its outreach, and optimized its food distribution efforts. The data-driven food security model now guides decision-making and resource allocation, ensuring that food assistance reaches those who need it most. The strategic framework continues to drive long-term impact, reinforcing Feed More’s role as a leader in the fight against hunger.
Virginia Service Commission
Statewide Service & Volunteerism Strategy
Strengthening civic engagement through a collaborative strategic plan
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As the agency responsible for administering AmeriCorps funding and promoting volunteerism across Virginia, the Virginia Service Commission (VSC) needed to develop a bold and actionable 2022-2024 State Service Plan. Under new leadership, VSC wanted to go beyond compliance requirements to create a unified vision for national service, grassroots volunteerism, and civic engagement. However, stakeholder research revealed a lack of cohesion within Virginia’s volunteer ecosystem, gaps in awareness of community needs, and unclear pathways for connecting Virginians with service opportunities.
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S.I.R. partnered with VSC to lead a six-month, six-phase strategic planning process, including:
Stakeholder engagement – Conducted interviews and surveys across nonprofits, government entities, corporate social responsibility teams, educational institutions, and faith communities to assess key challenges and opportunities.
Statewide collaboration – Facilitated 11 workshops to empower stakeholders in shaping strategic priorities and implementation actions.
Plan development – Created a three-year roadmap focused on three interrelated priorities:
Building a stronger culture of service, volunteerism, and civic engagement
Strengthening alignment across Virginia’s network of service organizations
Enhancing resources and support infrastructure for community impact
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The 2022-2024 Virginia State Service Plan now provides a clear, stakeholder-driven framework for increasing volunteer engagement, improving coordination among service organizations, and expanding resources for program development and funding. As VSC implements this plan, it is positioned as a catalyst for strengthening Virginia’s communities through service and civic action.
Strategic Planning for Food Security
Feeding New York State
Strengthening advocacy, coordination, and food distribution across New York
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As the statewide network supporting food banks, Feeding New York State (Feeding NYS) faced growing food insecurity challenges, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Strained supply chains, workforce shortages, and misaligned government programs made it difficult to scale operations and advocate for effective policy changes. Additionally, Feeding NYS needed a unified vision and infrastructure improvements to better support its food bank members and ensure food relief reached those most in need.
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S.I.R. partnered with Feeding NYS to develop a comprehensive, stakeholder-driven strategic plan, including:
Benchmarking & Research – Conducted a peer analysis of food bank associations, 19 in-depth interviews with food bank leaders and government officials, and focus groups and surveys to identify system-wide challenges.
Strategic Vision Development – Established five core focus areas to guide Feeding NYS’s future impact:
Advocacy – Expanding policy influence at the state and federal levels.
Convening Best Practices – Enhancing knowledge-sharing among food banks.
Catalyzing Food Security – Addressing root causes of hunger.
Strengthening Supply Chains – Improving sourcing and distribution efficiency.
Building Organizational Capacity – Strengthening Feeding NYS’s internal infrastructure.
Implementation & Action Plan – Hired advocacy and engagement managers, created new platforms for collaboration, and leveraged public awareness and funding programs like Nourish NY to expand food access.
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The strategic plan positioned Feeding NYS as a more effective convener, advocate, and operational leader in the fight against hunger.
Key outcomes include:
Expanded advocacy efforts, ensuring policies better reflect food banks' needs.
Stronger coordination among food banks, reducing redundancy and increasing efficiency.
Improved infrastructure for food distribution, with a goal to increase food access by 50% over three years.
Strategic Growth & Brand Development
Make-A-Wish
Establishing a national model for wish-granting excellence
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As a leading nonprofit granting life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses, Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia (MAW) set an ambitious goal: to become the national model for other Make-A-Wish chapters across the U.S. However, the organization faced challenges in increasing public familiarity, deepening donor engagement, and expanding its wish-granting capacity. To achieve these objectives, MAW needed a comprehensive strategic plan built on stakeholder insights and market research.
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S.I.R. partnered with Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia to develop a data-driven growth strategy, including:
Landscape assessment & stakeholder research – Conducted interviews and focus groups with staff, volunteers, wish recipients, and donors to uncover perceptions, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
Brand testing & competitive analysis – Evaluated MAW’s positioning within the nonprofit sector to enhance brand awareness and emotional connection with target audiences.
Market segmentation study – Collaborated with research firm Merkle to analyze audience motivations and translate national findings into localized donor engagement strategies.
Strategic roadmap development – Created a growth plan based on four key pillars:
Increasing revenue through targeted fundraising efforts.
Granting more wishes by optimizing operational efficiency.
Inspiring stakeholders through compelling storytelling and engagement strategies.
Enhancing organizational capabilities with strategic investments in resources and infrastructure.
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With S.I.R.’s strategic guidance, Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia successfully increased donations, elevated brand awareness, and strengthened emotional connections with supporters. The chapter’s success positioned it as a model for other Make-A-Wish chapters nationwide, inspiring them to adopt similar growth strategies to maximize their impact and fulfill more wishes for children in need.
Strategic Planning for Sustained Impact
El Pasoans Fighting Hunger (EPFH) – Texas
Analyzing distribution systems
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Serving a region with some of the nation’s highest rates of food insecurity—and facing the added pressures of a border crisis—El Pasoans Fighting Hunger (EPFH) needed a strategic plan to scale operations and partnerships for long-term resilience.
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EPFH engaged S.I.R. to develop a data-driven strategic plan. S.I.R. assessed needs, analyzed distribution systems, and facilitated planning sessions to help EPFH prioritize investments, strengthen key partnerships, and position itself as a reliable safety net in a rapidly changing environment.
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EPFH’s new strategic plan enabled the food bank to better target its programs, expand its reach, and ensure long-term sustainability. With a clear framework for growth, EPFH continues to serve more than 160,000 people a year and remains a vital resource for the El Paso community.
Creating a Blueprint for Sustainable Growth
Southeast Ohio Food Bank
Data-driven strategy to better equip communities
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After weathering the challenges of the pandemic, Southeast Ohio Food Bank needed a long-term, research-based plan to serve a rural, ten-county region with limited infrastructure and diverse needs.
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The food bank turned to S.I.R. for strategic planning. S.I.R. quickly identified opportunities to streamline and strengthen their operations and craft a flexible, data-driven strategic plan to guide their future efforts. Recommendations focused on streamlining distribution, building new collaborations, and maximizing limited resources.
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The strategic plan positioned Southeast Ohio Food Bank for greater sustainability and impact. The organization is now better equipped to serve its communities efficiently, adapt to changing needs, and build on the momentum provided by new partners and supporters.
Optimizing Data Tools for Transplant Hospitals
The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS)
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As a national leader in organ donation and transplantation, United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) provides essential data tools that help transplant hospitals monitor trends, benchmark performance, and support decision-making. However, members faced navigation challenges, limited customization options, and difficulties accessing key data, preventing full utilization of these tools. UNOS needed to understand user experiences, identify pain points, and develop a roadmap for optimizing its platform to better serve its diverse members.
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S.I.R. partnered with UNOS to conduct a qualitative Virtual Community study, engaging tool decision-makers and daily users from both small and large transplant hospitals. Over three days, participants provided detailed feedback on tools such as the CARE Tool, Benchmark Report, and Custom Report Builder. Research activities included:
User experience assessments – Identified navigation and accessibility issues.
Customization and training needs analysis – Examined gaps in tool personalization and educational resources.
Stakeholder engagement – Facilitated interactive discussions through polls and open-ended responses to uncover opportunities for improvement.
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The study revealed that UNOS’s data tools are essential for transplant operations, but enhancements in usability, customization, and training would significantly improve member engagement. With S.I.R.’s recommendations, UNOS is now implementing targeted improvements, including expanded customization features and upgraded educational offerings, ensuring its tools empower transplant professionals to maximize their impact in saving lives.
Enhancing data accessibility and usability for transplant professionals
Innovative Workforce & Resource Solutions
Leading Age Virginia
Developing market-driven solutions for senior care providers
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As an association advocating for nonprofits serving Virginia’s aging population, LeadingAge Virginia recognized the need to better understand market trends and member needs to develop innovative services and products. Members faced challenges in recruiting skilled staff, navigating managed care, and accessing critical resources. To address these issues, LeadingAge Virginia sought data-driven insights and strategic partnerships to create impactful, market-responsive solutions.
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S.I.R. partnered with LeadingAge Virginia to lead a comprehensive research and development process, including:
Stakeholder engagement – Conducted one-on-one interviews and workshops with LeadingAge Virginia members to identify service gaps and explore new product opportunities.
Market testing – Used virtual community focus groups to test and refine service concepts, ensuring alignment with the needs of over-55 workers and senior living operators.
Product development – Co-developed and launched:
A job-matching platform (March 2020) connecting over-55 workers with senior living operators in need of skilled staff.
A clearinghouse resource providing information, networking, and support services to help members navigate managed care and service provider networks.
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The job-matching platform and clearinghouse resource have provided valuable workforce and operational solutions for LeadingAge Virginia’s members, improving hiring processes and access to critical resources. With plans for national expansion, LeadingAge Virginia is now sharing its innovative approach with other LeadingAge affiliates across the country, driving industry-wide improvements in aging services.
Let’s Talk
All of S.I.R.’s projects start with a conversation. Let us know a little about you and your organization and we’ll set a time to talk. You can visit our offices in the Fan District of Richmond, VA or we can hop on a video call. Whatever works best for you works best for us.
If you would prefer to start your conversation with one of our consultants individually, please refer to our people page.