Our goal: Be useful and strategic partners.

We advise visionary leaders as they lay out plans for their organizations, specializing in organizational development, fundraising, and using powerful AI tools to be effective and efficient.

Be useful and bring extraordinary value.

Commitment to Organizational Development and Fundraising: Our firm is dedicated to strengthening organizations from within supporting the team’s efforts using modern tools and responsibly seeking or allocating funds. 

Dual Focus on People and Planet: We recognize the interconnectedness of economic,  social and environmental issues. Our approach integrates human welfare and ecological sustainability, ensuring that progress in one area reinforces the other.

Our Mission

Values

  • Sustainability: Balance economic, social, environmental interests

  • Innovation: Leverage best practice and be willing to color outside the lines at times

  • Integrity: Always have the interest of the client and community in mind

  • Collaboration: Play our role exceptionally well, and support people working with us

  • Empowerment: Equip others with the tools and knowledge to succeed

Our Services

Our Services

Fundraising is essential to bringing a nonprofit's mission to life. Our advisory service helps Executive Directors and Development Directors build a strong, strategic partnership to align efforts, inspire donors, and achieve financial sustainability. Together, we’ll create a foundation for long-term success.

Fundraising Leadership Advisors

Advanced Grant Writing and Management

This innovative offering combines our best-practice grant writing expertise with out-of-cycle advisory services and cutting-edge Ai technology to create significant efficiencies. Our approach allows us to produce a high volume of grants with consistent quality, increasing your organization's reach to funders while maintaining excellence in proposal production.

Transform your leadership effectiveness with The BrAIn Studio, where AI-powered tools help you think deeper and work smarter. We equip individual leaders with practical tools that amplify your expertise and give you back valuable time, turning hours of routine tasks into minutes of strategic opportunity.

The Brain Studio

GroundBreak
Coalition

As a strategic fundraising leader for the GroundBreak Coalition, Ryan Petersen plays a crucial role in guiding a high-caliber Executive Council and other senior leaders in their efforts to secure over $250 million in non-bank funding as part of a $5.3 billion initiative. Ryan's primary focus is on identifying and engaging sophisticated investors and philanthropists, including high-net-worth individuals, foundations, corporations, and community foundations.

  • His expertise lies in developing and implementing strategies to attract low-cost patient capital, guarantees, and grants. Ryan provides step-by-step guidance to the leadership on how to effectively approach and cultivate relationships with potential major donors, tailoring communication strategies to resonate with each donor's interests and goals. His work is instrumental in bringing in the necessary funds to support this massive initiative addressing racial disparities in the Twin Cities. Ryan's ability to navigate the world of high-level philanthropy and impact investing demonstrates his skill in leading transformative fundraising efforts for historically significant projects of substantial scale.

    Petersen Consultants demonstrates exceptional expertise in strategic fundraising leadership, as evidenced by their pivotal role in the GroundBreak Coalition's ambitious $5.3 billion initiative. The firm excels in guiding high-caliber executive teams through complex fundraising challenges, particularly in securing substantial non-bank funding from sophisticated investors and philanthropists. Their approach combines strategic vision with tactical precision, tailoring communication strategies to resonate with diverse donor interests. Petersen Consultants' ability to navigate the intricate world of high-level philanthropy and impact investing has proven instrumental in driving transformative fundraising efforts for historically significant projects. Their work not only secures crucial funding but also addresses critical societal issues, showcasing the firm's capacity to lead large-scale initiatives with far-reaching impact.

William McDonough Foundation

As Managing Director of the William McDonough Foundation, Ryan Petersen serves as the chief executive tasked with launching this historically significant organization. Working in close collaboration with renowned founder William McDonough and the board, Ryan is orchestrating the establishment of a globally oriented sustainability foundation poised to make a lasting impact.

  • His role encompasses comprehensive organizational development, from crafting the Foundation's strategic vision to implementing its core programs. Ryan is spearheading the creation of innovative sustainability curricula and the "Celebrating the Ingenious" initiative, both slated for a 2025 launch. He's building a high-performing team, establishing operational infrastructure, and forging strategic partnerships to amplify the Foundation's reach. Ryan's leadership is instrumental in translating William McDonough's pioneering concepts into actionable programs that will influence current and future professionals worldwide. By bridging visionary sustainability principles with practical implementation, Ryan is positioning the Foundation as a cornerstone institution in the global sustainability landscape, set to drive intergenerational design and innovative solutions for decades to come.

Constellation
Fund

As Chief Advancement Officer of The Constellation Fund, Ryan Petersen played a pivotal role in the organization's development from its inception, working closely with the founder to shape and execute its mission. In this key leadership position, Ryan was instrumental in establishing and implementing a comprehensive fundraising strategy that secured substantial operating funds and significant capital for distribution to high-impact organizations.

  • His approach combined strategic vision with tactical expertise, enabling The Constellation Fund to build a robust financial foundation. Ryan's leadership was crucial in developing and refining the Fund's rigorous benefit-cost analysis process, ensuring that resources were allocated to the most effective poverty-fighting organizations. He skillfully engaged a diverse array of donors, from high-net-worth individuals to institutional funders, articulating the Fund's unique value proposition in addressing poverty through data-driven philanthropy. Ryan's work not only ensured the financial viability of The Constellation Fund but also positioned it as a pioneering force in evidence-based giving, setting a new standard for philanthropic impact in the Twin Cities region.

“Ryan has been a valued collaborator in building something special. Our work together has catalyzed important next steps in sharing my decades of thoughts, words and deeds with people interested in the future of our planet."

William McDonough
Founder & President
William McDonough Foundation

“Petersen Consultants' coaching transformed our fundraising approach at 30,000 Feet. They provided practical strategies that aligned perfectly with our mission, helping us reach new heights in both our impact and financial sustainability.”

Kevin Robinson
Executive Director
30,000 Feet

"Ryan didn't just help us raise funds; he was a team leader. His tenacity and thoughtfulness took our fundraising to the next level. His expertise enabled us to turn our fundraising challenge into an opportunity for growth and deeper community impact."

Sondra Samuels
President & CEO
Northside Achievement Zone

"Petersen Consultants helped me develop a systematic approach to corporate outreach. Their guidance on engagement tracking, communication strategies, and progress reporting not only delivered results for our immediate project, but gave me practical tools I can now use on other projects. They have a gift for making complex development work feel manageable and measurable."

Leah Barr
Social Impact Senior Director
Foundation X

“Petersen Consultants' approach to our $250 million fundraising goal was refreshingly practical and effective. They broke down our ambitious vision into actionable steps, adapting strategies for different funders while maintaining a consistent message. Their expertise in handling complex, large-scale projects is essential for organizations with big goals and limited resources”

Ben Hecht
Senior Advisor
GroundBreak Coalition

“Ryan was instrumental in helping transform the Constellation Fund from an early concept into a fully operational organization. His strategic guidance during our formative stages and ongoing development work helped establish a strong foundation for our mission of combating poverty in the Twin Cities. He brought both tactical expertise and big-picture thinking that made him a valuable partner in our growth.”

Andrew Dayton
Founder and Executive Director
The Constellation Fund