Empowering NonProfits to Thrive
Services
What I do
I teach, organize, counsel, mentor, support, and encourage.
Stakeholders and situations may differ, but the challenges and opportunities from nonprofit to nonprofit are similar. Communications, philanthropic, and volunteer management theory is consistent from sector to sector while application of that theory may be different for each organization. Clients can be confident in my ability to apply core theory and my experience to create success for any organization.
Philanthropy
I assist organizations in building their capacity through philanthropic planning and implementation. From building new programs and creating annual giving plans to major gift solicitation, capital campaign management, and legacy giving, I have done it all and can guide organizations to create success and sustainability.
Communications and Public Relations
Communication and visibility are vital to people understanding and supporting an organization’s mission. There are as many methods to communicate as there are audiences to reach. Working with organizations, I develop a matrix model, which sets forth communication goals, audiences, key messages, methodologies, and timelines. I am especially thoughtful about the budget constraints that face nonprofits and work to achieve the largest impact for the dollar.
Board Development and Volunteer Management
Great nonprofits have great leadership, which begins with the board. Often, board members are unclear on their roles and their impact on success. I work with boards to further alignment and engagement. This is especially true in fundraising where boards play a vital role and training is foundational to their success in that role.
I love volunteers and what they bring to the work of nonprofits. Working with volunteers requires a dedicated plan that includes appropriate policies, recruiting with integrity, providing orientation and training, and supporting with feedback and recognition. Some of my most challenging and my most inspiring moments have occurred working with volunteers. I help organizations navigate the volunteer landscape to build sustainable partnerships.
Mentor
I provide guidance and counsel to non-profit executives and staff to foster the success of their organizations by helping them grow as professionals. It could be as simple as sharing a different perspective or as involved as an ongoing relationship to build knowledge, expertise, and confidence.
About
WHO I AM
From an early age, I was destined to work with charitable organizations. Even as a youth, I held a passion for community service.
With 40 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector, I have led volunteer boards and staff teams in developing and implementing strategic and operational plans in philanthropy, public affairs, communications, and volunteer management.
My professional experience supported the American Cancer Society in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire and Concord Hospital, a regional health system in New Hampshire. Throughout my career, I served in both staff and executive roles. From my time as one-person shop building a new program to a position where I managed a division of more than 30 staff members, I have remained committed to and excited by the work of charitable organizations.
Concentrating in non-profit public relations, I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from Boston University. My Master’s Degree in Management from New England College focused on non-profit leadership. Following graduation, I was an adjunct professor in the program, which required me to be contemporary in my knowledge and creative in applying my experience.
I often said that the only thing that would make my career better is if I could share my experience with many organizations and, thus, Puleo & Company was born.
A Passion for Perpetuity
Charitable Estate Planning and Legacy Giving
Charitable estate planning and legacy giving are specialty focuses for Puleo & Company, as they should be for savvy nonprofits who seek sustainability. The reality for many organizations is that building a planned giving program is a “someday” goal, one that is on the list below every other here and now fundraising initiative.
Puleo & Company assists organizations in creating legacy programs, engaging prospective donors in planned giving, and even working with individual donors to help them determine the gift that will fulfill their vision and work within their financial goals.
As a Fellow in Charitable Estate Planning, Pamela is an Associate with Thompson & Associates, which provides charitable estate planning education to nonprofits and their donors through the Periscope Path program.
Philosophy
Working together
As a purposely small consulting firm, Puleo & Company engages personally with each client, assuring dedicated attention to their project and its goals.
I believe in growing the abilities and capacity of staff and volunteers so that the organization is in a stronger, better position for the future. Sharing my knowledge and experience while we work together creates the understanding and foundation so that the organization can carry on once the contract ends.
Positive relationships and consistent communication are keys to successful consulting arrangements. I prefer to be a partner rather than simply the hired expert. Clients will find me to be open, honest, and respectful with both my assessments and my counsel. The best clients are those who reciprocate those values and behaviors.
Over the years, I have been fortunate to work with some amazing professionals who now join me as subcontractors on projects. From designers, writers and marketing experts to other fundraising professionals, collectively we provide the talent and experience to make your project a success. They are my “& Company” and I am grateful that they join in to bring clients a full compendium of services.
Testimonials
What my clients say
experience
Projects I've worked on
An organization who had a stalled campaign called upon us to re-launch. When we learned that there had been no readiness study performed and little outreach to would-be volunteers, we moved ahead with a traditional campaign approach for this traditional organization. In the study, we found lots of passion for the project and a willingness to become personally engaged, which resulted in an our providing campaign planning and management services for a $5 million capital campaign.
An organization who had a stalled campaign called upon us to re-launch. When we learned that there had been no readiness study performed and little outreach to would-be volunteers, we moved ahead with a traditional campaign approach for this traditional organization. In the study, we found lots of passion for the project and a willingness to become personally engaged, which resulted in an our providing campaign planning and management services for a $5 million capital campaign.
A healthcare organization in northern New Hampshire requested a readiness study proposal. We provided the proposal, but were relieved when in just reviewing the proposal the organization determined they were not ready for a campaign. The proposal was adjusted to work with them over a five month period to create the foundation of a broad-based philanthropy program.
Following a positive readiness study, it was time for a regional visiting nurse organization to plan for a capital campaign to update its hospice house facility and build an endowment to assure the facility’s ongoing sustainability. We provided on-site comprehensive planning, training and mentorship to assure that the board, staff, and volunteers were fully prepared to conduct a successful campaign. Helping organizations build their internal capability and capacity is core to the Puleo & Associates philosophy and some of our favorite projects.
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Guidance for Success
Early in my career, I accessed periodicals and books sharing best practices and new opportunities for nonprofit organizations. Rather than
If I had a nickel for every time throughout my career someone suggested that we reach out to Bill and
