Kick your organization
into high gear.
High Gear Consulting Group provides interim leadership and integrated strategic support
to nonprofit leaders and boards.
What We Do
We partner with nonprofit organizations that need temporary leadership or high-level support during times of transition or growth. We deliver an integrated approach that “connects the dots” across all levels of the organization – providing purpose-driven people with strategies that reinforce a sustainable nonprofit business model.
Who We Are
High Gear Consulting Group was founded by Jenn Richards in 2018. Jenn is a nonprofit leader with over 15 years’ experience in fundraising, strategic marketing and communications, project management, staff management, and program design.
She has worked with nonprofit organizations including Teach for America, the Association for Public Art, and the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania. Jenn has a proven track record of securing funding from new and nontraditional sources, designing and implementing innovative programming, creating and carrying out multi-year initiatives, building strong relationships, and leading diverse teams through periods of change.
Maureen Maier joined High Gear Consulting Group in 2020, and brings with her over 20 years’ experience in nonprofit and public sector leadership, with expertise in program design and delivery, staff management, project management, and partnership strategy. She is a firm believer in the power of collaboration between organizations and sectors, and utilizes asset mapping strategy to help organizations maximize on their strengths within this framework. Maureen’s ability to develop meaningful program strategy and lead teams through data-driven decision-making has led to increased funding for key initiatives, successful organizational pivots during times of change, and strong fiscal and staff management.
Maureen has served in leadership roles with the City of Philadelphia and Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania, and is currently the board co-president for the Friends of JS Jenks, a neighborhood public school in Philadelphia.
As High Gear Consulting’s Connected Communities lead, Maureen’s focus areas include Program Strategy, Landscape Audit/Asset Mapping Work, and Strategic Plan Implementation and Execution.
Our Services
As “nonprofit generalists” with a deep understanding of how the various elements of a nonprofit work together, we’re able to take on different types of projects related to management, operations, and communications. Typical engagements last 6-18 months.
Our services can augment, boost, support, or temporarily replace work done by permanent staff members. We work side-by-side with you to lay a strong foundation and to establish processes that can be managed by the organization’s employees and Board of Directors in the long-term.
Interim Leadership
Interim Executive Director, CEO, COO, or other key roles
Transition support for new leaders
Strategic & Special Projects
Project design and management
Process review and analysis
Grant readiness and reporting
CONNECTED COMMUNITIES
Program Strategy
Landscape audits/asset mapping
Strategic plan implementation & execution
Communications
Communications strategy and marketing plans
Media/PR
Focus groups and community learning
Brainstorming & Idea Generation
One-on-one strategic planning/executive support
Meeting facilitation for staff and boards
Revenue enhancement exploration
Current and Previous Clients
“Jenn’s natural leadership skills and ability to listen, learn, and engage quickly have been invaluable to the Collaborative through our transition period. Her keen insight has enabled us to reflect on our past programs and she has encouraged us to envision new possibilities for growth and innovation. Jenn has positioned us, financially and organizationally, for success, as we move forward with new leadership in place.”
Community Design Collaborative
Philadelphia, PA | Interim Executive Director
When the Community Design Collaborative’s long-time Executive Director took leave to pursue a prestigious academic fellowship, the Collaborative’s Board of Directors hired Jenn Richards as Interim Executive Director. Along with managing the day-to-day work of the organization and performing an assessment of processes and priorities, Jenn worked with the staff and board to secure new sources of funding, led the organization to develop a quick-response initiative providing critical design services to nonprofits and businesses during the coronavirus pandemic, and turned an anticipated deficit into a projected budget surplus. When the previous executive director decided not to return to her position, Jenn oversaw the search, hiring and onboarding of a new permanent director.
The Impact Center
Washington, DC | Women’s Executive Leadership Program Management
The Impact Center hired High Gear Consulting Group to manage two cohorts of its Women’s Executive Leadership Program, which recruits high-impact women executives for a six-month program that includes two in-person retreats, monthly professional development trainings, one-on-one coaching, and ongoing alumni networking opportunities.
“Jenn kept our cohort organized, motivated, and prepared to develop our leadership skills through rigorous conversation, self-examination, and coaching. Jenn has a special ability to imagine future possibilities that’s helped me solve problems in more creative and inclusive ways. She draws on her experience as both a manager and a leader across the non-profit sector to help others grow.”
Girl Scouts of the USA
New York, NY | National STEM Program Landscape Audit
As the preeminent leadership development organization for girls, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) has pledged to put 2.5 million girls into the STEM pipeline by 2025. To learn more about what kinds of programs and investments in STEM were already underway at Girl Scout councils around the country, GSUSA hired High Gear Consulting Group to conduct a comprehensive national STEM program landscape audit. High Gear Consulting Group conducted interviews with local leadership at all 112 local Girl Scout councils (achieving 100% participation) and compiled data into a report that was shared with national leadership, board members, and members of GSUSA’s STEM advisory council. Several case studies highlighting replicable models and best practices were also created to support national programming and fundraising efforts.
Community partnership school
Philadelphia, PA | Communications Strategy and Support
High Gear Consulting provided pro bono communications services to the Community Partnership School (CPS), an independent private school serving students in a low-income neighborhood in North Central Philadelphia. High Gear meets quarterly with CPS’s advancement staff to create and review communications strategies intended to raise funds and visibility.
“Jenn did an outstanding job of gathering primary research data through extensive phone interviews and follow-ups, analyzing that data, and creating presentations that clearly explained the results. She was a pleasure to work with as well. Not only did she meet every deadline and cheerfully pivot when needed, but she served as a true thought partner. Her input definitely improved the end product. ”
“Jenn brought a clear understanding of fundraising priorities and marketing best practices and took the time to learn about our mission and craft a communications plan that met our needs. Her guidance also helped us focus our organization’s messaging throughout the COVID-19 shutdown. Working with Jenn has benefited our organization: we have more structure, a clear goal, and have seen the impact of her strategies in our fundraising. Jenn has given us a clear path forward in sharing our mission and message with partners and donors.”