Theory of Change
From left to right: Image One, Image Two, Image Three
Our theory of change defines our vision for how we hope to create liberatory workplaces, break down white supremacist culture, and create long lasting freedom and equality for those most marginalized by typical workplace structures. It outlines how we see the world and how our work aims to transform the way in which organizations operate, and create meaningful change
There is often misalignment in the values of a social justice organization, between their external programmatic work and their internal operations.
This leads to tension or incongruence.
“This conflict between what is expressed outwardly, and what is expected internally, creates disconnection which leads to burnout, compromises, and growing dissatisfaction, which is actively driving people away.”
“Workers are refusing to be the human infrastructure for a system that asks them to solve societal shortcomings without the necessary support to do the work.”
-The Space Between Us: Naming Incongruence in Nonprofit Work, Michelle Flores-Vryn, CFRE
Our Analysis
Many organizations are often under-resourced and under-staffed, and will oftentimes fall back on the typical ways of working, which more often than not, are rooted in the nonprofit industrial complex which is a byproduct of white supremacist culture and capitalism.
Those structures perpetuate the oppressive, harmful, and capitalist ways of working (e.g., hustle and urgency culture and hierarchical and patriarchal leadership models). Additionally, operations work is chronically undervalued.
This is due to 1) the fact that movement work is often fast-paced and ever-changing, and in order to keep up with those shifts, organizations will focus on programmatic work, and operations work falls to the wayside; and 2) racism and sexism – operations and administrative roles have historically been held by women and those from marginalized communities.
our Vision
We imagine a world where Organizations:
-
01
Value operations work, and live into the collective values of anti-oppression, liberation, community, and a solidarity economy. We want staff of social justice organizations to feel free “instead of drowning in bureaucracy and misaligned priorities”
-
02
Leverage internal structures - to challenge the status quo and create inclusive, effective, and empowered teams.
-
03
Model structures that embody the more just world we’re trying to build.
-
04
Are creative and adaptive, so they can withstand political turmoil and attacks.
-
05
Lead with abundance - we believe the most good is done when we are all doing good.
-
We are here for:
Movement and social justice organizations, fiscal sponsors, and progressive businesses, who share our values, who deeply care about ensuring every aspect of their organization is values-led, and who want the best for their team and are open to feedback and change. Operations leaders (or aspiring leaders) who are open to being challenged, who share our values of liberation, radical transparency, and worker-led solutions.
Our Values and Beliefs:
We take time to understand the organization’s unique goals, challenges and needs to provide customized solutions.
Our recommendations on your systems, processes, and policies will center those most impacted - your staff and the communities you serve.
Our Methods
-
![]()
We take time to understand the organization’s unique goals, challenges and needs to provide customized solutions. Our recommendations on your systems, processes, and policies will center those most impacted - your staff and the communities you serve.
-
![]()
We root our work in social justice and equity - from diverse hiring to creative people centered policies.
-
![]()
Serve as a strategic operational thought partner to ensure strategy and operations are aligned, and working together.
-
![]()
We bring our operational expertise and knowledge to support organizations going through operational changes (e.g., transitioning out of fiscal sponsorship.)
-
![]()
Identify critical operational gaps and help fill them (e.g., financial, legal, people operations, etc.)
-
![]()
Build operational team capacity. We provide organizations with the tools, training, and resources to make sustainability possible.
-
![]()
Build and sustain a community for operations professionals.
We foster collaboration, transparency, and feedback.
We believe in the power of community. We can’t succeed in our work without meaningful engagement from the organizations we support, and we make space for all voices. We say what is working, and where there needs to be improvement, and we expect the same in return. We do not shy away from difficult conversations.
