Shannon Dixon works with non-profits, start-ups, foundations, universities, non-profit coalitions, and cities. Rather than working within defined models, which she finds restrictive, Shannon uses strategic and collaborative processes along with critical thinking to serve her clients best.
Services
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Strategic Planning
- Strategic planning - full, multi-year organizational plans
- Organizational and board assessments
- Annual staff work plans
- Coalition creation, planning, and assessment
- Partnership development and planning
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Revenue Generation
- Grant research and grant writing (local foundations, corporations, and federal grants)
- Grant compliance and tracking
- Case statements
- Conversation guides to gain individual gifts
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Board Development & Governance
- Board improvement processes: recruitment, orientation, structuring, assessment, policy development
- Merger support
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Communications
- Annual reports
- Speech writing
- Press releases
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Coaching
- Executive directors and other staff
- Board members
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Program Planning
- Research and facilitation of decision-making
- Partner development
- Community input and engagement processes
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Group Learning & Action
- Learning convenings (small conferences)
- Ongoing facilitation of peer groups and/or coalitions
About
Since 2005, Shannon MB Dixon has partnered with nonprofits to meet their missions through strategic planning, board development, communications, coaching, program planning, and other capacity-building activities. Working with a variety of clients — established nonprofits, start-up organizations, foundations, universities, government agencies, and nonprofit coalitions — Shannon uses strategic and collaborative processes and critical thinking to serve her clients best. Prior to consulting, she had an eclectic career in the nonprofit sector including employment by a foundation, arts organizations, and a voluntary agency. Shannon is a certified Standards of Excellence consultant and holds a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning. She lives in Memphis, TN in the historic Evergreen Neighborhood with her husband, son, and two rescued dogs.
Past and Present Clients
I am so thankful for the expertise Shannon brings to a project. She is flawlessly able to bring groups together, encourage collaboration, facilitate the process, and meet team goals all while strengthening the professional growth of the individuals involved. Our project would not be where it is without her guidance and support.
Lauren McCann
Director of Community Programs
Le Bonheur Community Health & Well-Being
Shannon Dixon is a thoughtful changemaker. She is planful and organized — critical and often overlooked components of operationalizing the goals of social movements. We worked with Shannon to plan Grassroots Grantmakers’ On The Ground, a national learning gathering in Brooklyn, NY in 2015. The time we spent together was productive and important; Shannon is uniquely able to dig into key questions around equity and inclusion while also moving the learning gathering forward on time. On top of all that, Shannon is relaxed and kind, making everyone she works with at ease. She is a joy to work with.
Erin Barnes
Founder and Executive Director, ioby
Shannon is the real deal! We have worked with many consultants and she is the one we will go back to whenever we need one in the future. She is a good listener and has excellent judgement as to when to step forward as well as when to step back.My favorite strength of Shannon’s—of which there are many—is her uncanny ability to glean the essence of the essence during a process and articulate clearly in writing where the process is leading. I encourage anyone who is searching for a client-focused, smart strategic planner to include Shannon among those under consideration.
Dan Bowers
President, ArtsBuild