PHILANTHROPY & ORG STRATEGY
when does a pile of wood become a fire?
when does a pile of wood become a fire?
︎︎︎
i often work on two sides of the same table: with funders deciding where their money should go, and with the mission-driven organizations trying to earn it and use it well. on the philanthropy side, that means sourcing and vetting organizations, running due diligence, and helping funders decide what to back. on the organizational side, it means strategy and systemic design: what an organization is trying to achieve, and how it needs to be built to do it. the pieces are usually already there. my job is to help assemble them into something that catches.
︎︎︎HOW?
most of my strategy work is as a thought partner over time, not a consultant who hands over a report and leaves.
i learn an organization from the inside: its people, its finances, its politics, and think through the hard calls with the people who'll have to live with them.
any strategy is only ever as good as the people left carrying it, so i design for them, not just for the plan.
︎︎︎WHO?
i was international director of strategy and org development at a leadership organization, worked with founders and executives on where to take their work next, and have sat on the funder side of the table as well as the grantee side. i'm certified in systemic transformational organizational design, and started my career at a strategy consultancy of european origin with a global footprint.
i work in english, german and spanish.
︎︎︎OFFERING
philanthropy & grantmaking
helping funders decide what their giving is actually for, vetting, sourcing, and running due diligence on organizations, as well as representing funders vis-à-vis prospective grantees. i manage the german arm of a 1.5m euro fund and sit inside the european foundation system.
systemic organizational
strategy
getting clarity on objectives, setting the direction to get there, and designing the structure to sustain it.
project & program
management
running the things, not just advising on them. taking a defined piece of work from start to finish.
fuel keeps a fire alive; structure is what makes it last. strategy is no different.
︎︎︎WORKING TOGETHER
“AN ESSENTIAL THOUGHT PARTNER ON MULTIPLE CHALLENGING PROJECTS”
"Working with Johannes over several months was an exceptional experience. Few people bring his unique combination of systemic thinking, creative insight, and ability to execute, along with a people-focused, deeply empathetic approach to creating solutions. He was an essential thought partner on multiple challenging and strategically important projects, and Johannes consistently made our work stronger and more effective. He is a joy to work with and a valuable asset to any organisation.”
Talia DuboviInterim CEO,
Humanity in Action, Inc.
“A HIGH-LEVEL STRATEGIC VISION AND A DOER SPIRIT.”
"Johannes is a great professional with both a high-level strategic vision and a doer spirit — a perfect combination to make solid projects happen. His strategic advice is grounded in fine analyses of the existing realities and processes, which makes it relevant, tangible, and thus truly useful. His international mindset and his kindness facilitate very smooth relationships with very diverse stakeholders."
Joseph Le MarchandHead of France Office, King Baudouin Foundation