Springboard Sessions for Nonprofits

The Stanford Alumni Consulting Team (ACT) now offers two-hour online “springboard sessions” in which Stanford Graduate School of Business alumni generate ideas to aid nonprofits and civic entities with a specific strategic question. Each virtual brainstorming session will include four to eight GSB alumni volunteers eager to help your organization increase its impact and solve a focused problem.

To be a successful candidate for an ACT virtual springboard session, your organization needs to pose a single question focused on a clearly-defined challenge, a new idea, or a group of related issues that don’t require additional research in order for GSB alumni to provide helpful feedback.

• How much growth is right for my organization?
• What key questions should we consider as we head into strategic planning?
• Can you help me articulate my unique value proposition?
• Can you provide feedback on my organization’s pitch?
• How can we best engage millennials in our work?

1. Your organization must be a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization or a civic entity. See additional client eligibility.
2. Selected nonprofits must:

• Commit two to four top organizational leaders to participate (e.g. executive director, CEO, board member)
• Provide brief background materials in advance to prepare ACT volunteers for focused brainstorming on your chosen strategic question.
• Participate in a 15–20 minute introductory conversation with your ACT brainstorm facilitator prior to the session.
• Share feedback following the session about the value of the brainstorm experience to your organization.