About Us
We are a global collaborative consulting practice that serves philanthropists, foundations and non-profit organizations by acting as a bridge between funder and recipient. Our team provides philanthropic advising, non-profit organizational development, data visualization, research, and evaluation.
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Our approach is rooted in equity-driven values and practices, ensuring impactful and sustainable outcomes for our clients.
Our Services
For private philanthropists and family foundations, we offer unparalleled personalized service through foundation & DAF management; grant advisory services; portfolio review and landscape analyses. We are ready to serve established donors and next-gen leaders as they cement their giving styles and preferences.
For public foundations, we offer a range of services from grant process to adherence, collective impact, to project-based evaluation.​
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Our Dedication to Impact
We are dedicated to delivering measurable and sustainable impact for philanthropists, foundations, and non-profit organizations. Our commitment to results is unwavering, and we continuously strive to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of philanthropic initiatives.
Our experience spans diverse sectors, allowing us to offer comprehensive and tailored solutions to drive meaningful change.
Our Approach
Our approach is rooted in equity-driven values and practices. We believe in collaborating with our clients to create tailored solutions that drive positive change and maximize their philanthropic efforts. By acting as a bridge between funders and recipients, we strive to foster meaningful and impactful partnerships.
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We augment our services by supporting your grantees with organizational development, data visualization, research, and utilization-driven evaluation.
Community-Centered Approach
At Connectiva, we prioritize a community-centered approach, ensuring that the unique needs and goals of our clients and their stakeholders are at the forefront of every decision. We believe that at its best, social impact is made possible when funder and recipient work together, not in silos. Our focus is on building strong bridges where all are supported.
Our Team
Meet the social impact experts who drive our mission and deliver exceptional value to our clients.
Laura Dean-Shapiro
MA; MSIM; IPA
Managing Director/Principal Consultant
FOCUS AREAS
Philanthropic Advising; Qualitative Evaluation/Storytelling; Gender, Social Justice, Arts & Culture; Organizational Design, Development, Stabilization
Laura founded Connectiva to uplift equity-focused social investment by bringing donor and doer together. Twenty years working in SI, she saw an opportunity to link impact consultants to funders who want to ensure their grants and gifts are as powerful as possible.
She has guided philanthropists throughout their personal journeys, authored innovative evaluation and research, and worked with private businesses to amplify their community commitment.
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Her strategic leadership and commitment to equity-driven practices have been instrumental in shaping our collaborative consulting approach.
Alison Carney
MA
Lead Affiliate- Research, Evaluation
FOCUS AREAS
Gender Equity, Communities of Practice, MEL
Alison is an independent consultant, facilitator, researcher and coach
who works with community organizations, international NGOs and foundations to support gender equality/equity, inclusion and to build learning systems to better understand and amplify work for social change.
She has specialized in gender equality/equity and inclusion in sport for development (sfd) and has accompanied organizations around the world to build programs that provide inclusive and empowering spaces for people of all genders, in particular girls and women. She also specializes in creating inclusive learning spaces and spaces for shared and collaborative learning, such as learning communities and co-designed/collaborative MEL.
Heather Ridout
Lead Affiliate- Evaluation & Operations
FOCUS AREAS
Collaborative Evaluation; Social Enterprises
Heather helps socially focused organizations and businesses articulate, plan and optimise their impact through research and evaluation. She focuses on designing evaluation systems that center the voices of those most affected to ensure learning is grounded in real lived experience.
Her portfolio centers on gender equity, leadership development, and systemic equity. Heather has also supported the International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA) in building impact models across Europe and developed the strategic impact framework for TIE to shift organizational cultures toward more human ways of working.
Heather co-founded Beeconomics, a Brazilian social enterprise producing natural cosmetics and supporting marginalized youth.
