"We know the highs associated with delivering great service and expansion, and the lows that come with funding challenges and culture wobbles.
We’ve learned alot about agility, resilience, leaning in, managing stress and survival.
Getting non-profits flourishing is our passion."
Richard Aston & Ruth Kerr
AstonKerr
A safe harbour for non-profits facing challenges
Is your non-profit organisation facing change?
Is your non-profit organisation facing changes in funding, management, governance or organisational culture? Is your organisation in crisis?
Over 15 years, we have faced every challenge known to the unique organisations that are non-profits, from funding to management, governance to culture change. We're keen to share what we've learnt.
Are you looking at expansion and growth?
Is your non-profit organisation just starting up or planning to expand?
We know the challenge of growth very well. Too fast and the wheels fall off, too slow and the opportunity slips past you. From creating a new community programme from scratch, to replicating that programme nationally, we can help with strategic and operational planning and shaping culture for innovation and growth.
Are you a funder supporting a non-profit though change?
Are you a concerned funder involved in a non-profit organisation facing issues? Or needing someone to stay close to a non-profit start-up you are supporting from scratch?
Perhaps you are worried about your accountability when a non-profit is in crisis or struggling with change. You need to know what is happening and why. That's our patch.
Use our expertise to get you back on track
We work with non-profits and funders to explore their current challenges and opportunities to help each unique organisation be the best non-profit they can be. Because the work you both do - in partnership - is important!
We work with, and alongside, non-profits, NGOs and funders
Richard's TEDx talk (above) explains his strong belief around the strength of human caring and the importance of aligning our non-profits to a simpler philosophy of serving the world.
Our approach
We take a pragmatic, human-based approach to working with non-profit organisations to explore their opportunities and challenges.
Our first port of call is teasing out the culture underpinning the work of a non-profit organisation. We do this because we believe culture ultimately lies at the root of functionality and health. If the culture is not mutually understood and shared, well-meaning organisations tend to flounder and combust. We explore culture through 360 degree interviews with staff, management and trustees.
Then we identify opportunities and challenges, including resources and capacity, to look at what’s working well and how it could work better.
We identify barriers to the organisation thriving – sometimes despite everyone’s best efforts.
We are there to encourage and support staff and trustees – to walk alongside them as we help shine a light on their specific challenges and opportunities.
What people say
"Richard is not afraid of taking tough decisions. He will back a CEO who wants to push the boundaries and comes to him with solid evidence and sound financial modelling.
Central to this thinking is - how to harness the power of people for the benefit of society. He has a proven record in assisting not-for-profits to do just that."
Sue Chetwin - CEO Consumer NZ
"Richard has a gift for sensing the culture of an organisation. He then has the experience and skills required to change the culture to create a harmonious and high performing organisation. Richard is incredibly observant and can rise above 'the little', to see 'the big'. He is both courageous and compassionate when dealing with people and volunteers in the not-for-profit area. Engaging Richard to support your organisation will give you peace of mind."
Travis Field, Chair Big Buddy, Director Wise Leadership Ltd
"The growth and success of Big Buddy would not have happened without Richard as CEO and Ruth has a rare ability to tell human stories that connect with audiences.
They work seamlessly together with heart and I unreservedly recommend them to non-profits.”
Wally Thomas – Big Buddy trustee
How we work
Depending on the needs of a particular organisation or funder, we look at what skills – individual and combined – we have to provide support. We start by contracting to do a scope that will outline a way forward. Then we negotiate fees based on agreed outcomes. Please contact us for more details on how we work.