MNODN launches projects in two to three cycles each year.

• The CCP Core Team networks with MNODN partner organizations such as the Performance Excellence Network (PEN) and MN Professionals for Psychology Applied for Work (MPPAW), the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, and others to find potential clients with project needs.  They also identify MNODN members interested in pro-bono consulting.

• Project Teams are composed of an OD project lead and two to three consultants with varying backgrounds who are passionate about helping nonprofit clients and interested in broadening their experience.

Depending on client needs, a project may include one or more of the following elements.  Consultants will be matched to projects based on experience with and/or interest in these areas:

• Leadership

• Organization structure and culture

• Strategy, goals, planning, values, vision, mission

• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

• Interpersonal/team conflict

• Board development; team development 

• Learning and development

• Organizational processes and systems

• Performance measures/rewards

• Organizational change

• Performance management

CCP  work always leads to the  definition of issues and recommendations for future action. 

Please note:  We do not offer consultation in the areas of fundraising, marketing, financial systems, legal needs, or technology.

How We Match OD Consultants with Clients

We are always looking for talented OD professionals to join our candidate pool! Once clients are chosen, then consultant applications are reviewed and consultants are matched based on their experience and interest in the objectives set forth by the client and the Core Team’s screening assessments.

Project Length

CCP consulting teams typically collaborate with a client to complete an approved project within 3 to 4 months.

After a successful 3- to 4-month project, the Core Team could determine that a more intensive engagement with the client is needed and appropriate, and a resulting project could last up to 12 months.  These clients are typically larger nonprofits that are able to pay low-bono rates, seek more transformational work, and meet our selection criteria. In these cases, multiple teams might address a variety of interrelated issues to produce holistic changes.

Consultant Application Process

You may apply to be a CCP volunteer consultant at any time, although applications are reviewed only two to three times per year as clients and projects are identified.  To apply, please download the CCP Consultant Application.

Once you have completed the application, please use the SAVE AS feature to save this document with your name in the title: 

CCP Consultant App – FirstName LastName.doc

Then e-mail this entire document as an attachment to Monica Dornbach Munson at ccp@mnodn.org

After reviewing consultant applications, a member of the Core Team will schedule an interview with you to better understand your skills, interests, and potential alignment with the project.  

We strive to finalize the project team within 3 to 4 weeks after interviews. 

CCP Consultant Selection Criteria 

1. Desire to work with local nonprofit organizations and interest in broadening your OD experience – We seek to work with public benefit nonprofits doing high-impact work that our consultants are eager to support. Your interest in supporting nonprofit organizations via pro bono project work creates a win-win environment for both consultants and nonprofit clients. Your effort to help multiply the value CCP can provide will be highly motivating and we’ve determined an indicator of project success!

2. Alignment of OD project focus with a candidate’s experience – We engage in projects that fall within the realm of OD - think of CCP consultants as facilitators of and coaches to a collaborative process with our clients. Further, consultant experience and/or interest in project objectives is another critical indicator of a project that meets expectations for consultants and clients alike.

3. Willingness to make a nominal investment – Consultants pay a one-time participation fee of $99 so that MNODN can sustain and administer this program. 

4. Consultant Accessibility – During Covid we flexed to work virtually, which makes it possible to consult from anywhere. Our preference is to work with consultants and clients in the greater Twin Cities area, which enables in-person meetings. However, the majority of meeting time is spent via teleconference on platforms such as Zoom or Teams.

   Sample Project Cycle

   Consider some of our Recent Project Work…

   • A Minneapolis, Faith-based Community Nonprofit

   • Challenge: Replacement of a long-tenured Executive Director and  retention of top talent, as well as the existing, positive organizational culture

   • A MN-based Entertainment Trade Association

   • Challenge: Development and alignment of the existing Board of Directors work with the Executive Director’s team business plan

   • A MN-based national partnership of federal & state agencies focused on conservation planning & implementation 

   • Challenge: Leadership & position development of an existing operations and marketing team

     What Consultants have to say about being a CCP Consultant

     What Clients Have Said About CCP…

     “The partnership with the CCP team provided us the opportunity to do organization development that would not have been done otherwise.”-- Mpls Faith-based Nonprofit

     “The Lessons Learned meeting at the close of the project provided the opportunity for shared observations, reflections and suggestions.”-- Board project lead, Mpls Faith-based Nonprofit

     “CCP helped us tremendously! Our Board and executive staff were at a stand-still regarding how to determine next steps for Board development - to be more hands-on or more strategic based on the current strategic plan in place. They had the expertise to help us navigate and resolve differences of opinion using development tools and resources that we wouldn’t have had access to or the time and inclination to do on our own. I’d recommend their program to any nonprofit looking for outside consulting help!”-- Board VP, MN based Entertainment Trade Association

     “The CCP team from those that interviewed us to learn of our challenges and set up an agreement to the Consultant lead and team did a great job! Although our project’s objectives changed somewhat, they helped us get to what was truly needed – determining next steps to Board development – Board member, MN based Entertainment Trade Association

     “The CCP team really helped us to reframe our thoughts, reminding us that you can always pivot, and asked great questions to help guide the work that we were doing. This helped us to think in different directions so we could define our objectives success & progress. They took the time to work with our broader staff conducting interviews resulting in feedback and questions for future consideration, really set us up for the next steps of delivering the plan.”-- Executive Director MN based Natl partnership focused on conservation

     If you have questions on whether you would be a good fit for the MNODN CCP, please feel free to email Monica Dornbach Munson, CCP Manager, at ccp@mnodn.org with questions. We appreciate and welcome all inquiries!

     And we always appreciate referrals for potential organizations!

     *Community Consulting Program (CCP) provides pro-bono organization development (OD) consulting services to nonprofit organizations in Minnesota who cannot afford these professional services. The program empowers Minnesota Organization Development Network (MNODN) members to give back to the community and broaden their experience in new areas.