Grantee Capacity Development

We partner with grantees to strengthen systems, strategy, and infrastructure so they can meet funder expectations and grow sustainably. Our work includes capacity assessments, process improvement, framework integration, and ongoing mentoring aligned to your mission. We help organizations build the internal strength required to secure future funding and scale impact. 

Stakeholder Engagement

We design and lead deliberate, high-impact stakeholder engagement strategies grounded in lived nonprofit and philanthropic experience. From public convenings and agile data collection to community asset mapping and field representation, we ensure diverse voices shape decisions. Our approach strengthens alignment, trust, and long-term ecosystem coordination. 

Program Officer Coaching & Mentorship

Led by former program officers, our coaching is thoughtful, practical, and action-driven. We provide individual and cohort-based mentorship that equips program officers to navigate complexity with clarity and confidence. We specialize in supporting program officers of color who are managing high-stakes dynamics within philanthropic systems. 

Strategic Planning

We facilitate inclusive, results-driven strategic planning that translates vision into executable action. Our process produces clear priorities, defined ownership, realistic timelines, and measurable outcomes. The result is a cohesive roadmap that aligns board, staff, and stakeholders while positioning the organization for sustained growth. 

Board Retreats & Board Development

We design engaging, high-impact board retreats and development experiences that clarify roles, strengthen governance, and activate leadership. Our approach equips board members to serve strategically, collaboratively, and with confidence, ensuring stronger organizational oversight and long-term sustainability. 

LS Ventures

LS Ventures, founded by Lisa Sullivan, brings over 15 years of experience across strategy, programs, fundraising, grant administration, nonprofit leadership, and philanthropy. We support grantees, nonprofits, and philanthropic partners through capacity building, stakeholder engagement, program officer coaching, strategic planning, and board development. 

 

Our work strengthens communication, alignment, and service delivery across the philanthropic ecosystem. We are inclusive by design, rooted in lived experience, and committed to closing sector gaps with professionalism, clarity, and measurable results. 

Testimonials

J.A.

Her knowledge-base allowed for us to begin work quickly.

It was great working with Lisa. Her understanding and work with nonprofits and foundations’ relationships brings to the table a great benefit to our organization with her services. Her knowledge-base allowed for us to begin work quickly; and she was able to pick up on our work, right away. The communications with Lisa is very prompt and responsive.  I would want other clients to know that a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion lens that Lisa provides is a huge benefit for our commitment to DEI&A as a foundation and the work she was able to carry-out for us.

A.R.

Her ability to grasp, understand and build a plan to achieve goals is remarkable.


Lisa is great to work with, she immediately and easily becomes a key part of the team. Her ability to grasp, understand and build a plan to achieve goals is remarkable. Working with her has helped us get the results we expected and a whole lot more. I would highly recommend Lisa to anyone looking for an experienced, dedicated, and knowledgeable resource to help achieve their goals. She is easy to work with and gets things done. Highly recommend!

B.S.

Her thought partnership and her understanding of nonprofit needs, barriers and challenges is invaluable in this process.

Lisa was instrumental in helping us build our grantmaking strategy. We are building it from scratch and her voice, her thought partnership and her understanding of nonprofit needs, barriers and challenges is invaluable in this process.