I believe in the power of the social sector.
I’ve worked for decades in both academic research and the social sector.
I’ve done the research, wrestled with the issues, mastered the statistics, and done the front-line work.
I know nonprofits and funders can only focus on their vision for systems change when they are confident and have the clear, straightforward data needed to move their work forward.
By listening to you, I’ve transformed traditional program evaluation into the innovative ImpactStory Strategy™ which makes tracking and using impact no more difficult than managing a budget.
My mission is simple
I uncomplicate how social sector partners show the impact of their work so they can do even more good.
Meet My Team
Maryfrances is the CEO and Founder of Partnerships for Strategic Impact® and brings 25 years of experience in research; working with nonprofits, foundations, and local governments. She’s spent years doing program development and program evaluation, grant writing, and developing strategic vision and action. She facilitates diverse, cross-sector groups in finding collaborative, strengths-based solutions.
Maryfrances grew up in New Orleans. She completed her B.A. at Emory University in Atlanta before moving to Denver so her husband could become a master brewer. She completed her Ph.D. in clinical and community psychology at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.
In addition to being a nonprofit consultant, she is a licensed, clinical psychologist specializing in treating anxiety and neurodiversity.
Alison is a primary collaborator Partnerships for Strategic Impact®. She has 9 years of experience in research with a focus on program design, implementation, and program evaluation. She specializes in facilitating collaborative, strengths-based group processes, as well as understanding stories from diverse perspectives.
She completed her B.A. in psychology and her Ph.D. in clinical and community psychology at the University of Virginia. Her clinical work focuses on building stronger and healthier interpersonal relationships.
How I got here.
I started Partnerships for Strategic Impact® in 2013 to help local nonprofits and their funders track and understand the impact of their work. As a woman, psychologist, parent, and human, I believe one person can create a cascade of goodness, most people are doing the best they can with what they have, and that most of our power is untapped.
Through years of listening and responding to the people I’ve worked with, I have developed straightforward and practical data and storytelling strategies, tools, and capacity, so social sector partners can collaboratively focus on their vision for more equitable and thriving communities. An insightful social sector supports thriving communities.
Today, the ImpactStory™ Strategy and toolkit is how I help social sector partners confidently track clear impact data and tell compelling impact stories.
Our stories brought us together.
We met 8 years ago and bonded over our shared social justice values and the goal of lifting others up. As women, psychologists, parents, and humans, we have seen firsthand how one person can create a cascade of goodness, that most people are doing the best they can with what they have, and that most of our power is untapped. Our mission is ultimately your mission: to improve the lives of the people you serve – while ensuring you have all the knowledge, skills, and resources you need to make a real impact on the world around you.
Today, we teach nonprofit leaders how to blend the art and science of storytelling to discover and share their organization’s impact on the world.
If you’ve been wrestling with how to articulate the work you’ve already done to fulfill your mission or the work that’s soon to come, we want to help you. As your coaches, we’ll teach you our steps for creating a clear path to identifying and crafting an impact story that moves people to action.
My approach is simple.
Don’t just take my word for it.
“They have found very effective methods of communicating about research in easy-to-understand language and have been truly committed to including everyone in understanding and using data. Their participation has really helped to propel our initiative forward!”
-Jacqueline Bryant, LPC,
Executive Director
ReadyKids
“Working with PSI was an exceptional experience. Not only do they work efficiently, communicate well, and provide high-quality outcomes, they are pleasant to work with. They approach projects thoughtfully and do a good job making information accessible to those without their expertise.”
-Portia Boggs
Director of Advancement & Communications
Local Food Hub
“I enjoyed working with Maryfrances personally and professionally. I am so amazed at how quickly she can pull out the most relevant information and focus the conversation. I would highly recommend Partnerships for Strategic Impact to anyone who is looking for a solid evaluation of their mission, goals, program achievements and measurement. It has been a pleasure to learn and work them.”
-Ginger Dillard
Director of Advocacy Services
Jefferson Area Board on Aging
Don’t just take our word for it.
“They have found very effective methods of communicating about research in easy-to-understand language and have been truly committed to including everyone in
understanding and using data. Their participation has really helped to propel our initiative forward!”
-Jacqueline Bryant, LPC,
Executive Director
ReadyKids
“Working with PSI was an exceptional experience. Not only do they work efficiently, communicate well, and provide high-quality outcomes, they are pleasant to work with. They approach projects thoughtfully and do a good job making information accessible to those without their expertise.”
-Portia Boggs
Director of Advancement & Communications
Local Food Hub
“I enjoyed working with Maryfrances personally and professionally. I am so amazed at how quickly she can pull out the most relevant information and focus the conversation. I would highly recommend Partnerships for Strategic Impact to anyone who is looking for a solid evaluation of their mission, goals, program achievements and measurement. It has been a pleasure to learn and work them.”
