Our Services

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    Development Planning and Execution

    Canter Strategies helps you surface your connections, find opportunities, support a culture of philanthropy, teach cultivation, develop a comprehensive plan for success, and execute your fundraising strategies.

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    • Development assessment, research, benchmarking and planning
    • Foundation, corporate and government grants – research and writing
    • Individual giving and cultivation
    • Case Statements
    • Special events
    • Corporate sponsorships
    • Awards competitions
    • Board/staff trainings and coaching
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    Strategic Planning

    Strategic plans help organizations maintain mission focus, make strong decisions, build constituent buy-in, improve communications and enhance impact. Canter Strategies provides direction and support throughout the strategic planning process.

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    • Organizational assessments and interviews
    • Mission and vision development
    • Short- and long-term planning
    • Meeting/retreat facilitation
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    Governance, Management, and Interim Leadership

    Canter Strategies builds on years of executive and board experience to provide strategic and practical counsel on board, governance and organizational issues, as well as interim leadership during staff transitions.

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    • Board development and training
    • Coaching for board and staff
    • Governance systems and structures
    • Interim executive, development and managerial staffing
    • General nonprofit management advice and counsel
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    Writing and Editing

    Canter Strategies brings your program to life with compelling writing and story-telling. A stickler for clarity, craft, and advocacy, Edie Canter provides writing and editing for substantive communications, as well as coaching for presentations and speeches.

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    • Case statements and annual reports
    • Research reports, policy papers, and issue briefs
    • Newsletters, articles, and social media content
    • Presentations and speeches

Approach: Moving Nonprofits from Vision to Impact

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    Experienced

    Edie has been there — Executive Director, Development Director, board member, and advocate. She brings her experience and understanding to the table for clients.

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    Strategic

    Through years of nonprofit leadership and legal practice, Edie has honed evidence-based analytical thinking and creative strategy to achieve great results.

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    Respectful

    Edie starts with deep respect for her clients’ knowledge and mission. Her skills amplify her clients’ expertise for maximum impact.

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    Insightful

    Skilled at digging into facts-on-the-ground, Edie is talented at helping clients surface their assets – and take advantage of opportunities.

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    Flexible

    Whether her clients need a high-level strategic adviser, a manager-level project partner, an interim leader, or a reliable extra hand, Edie is comfortable in the role.

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    Excellent

    Edie strives for and prides herself on exemplary work product and advice. Excellence is a value she holds dear.

Testimonials

  •  Edie Canter served as interim director of development during a staff transition, leading a four-person grants team. Edie was productive from day one, quickly earning trust, maintaining our high standards and helping us exceed fundraising goals. Edie gave me the critical support I needed. I recommend her highly. 
    Melissa Hilton
    VP, Development
    Erie Family Health Centers
  •  As Executive Director, Edie Canter brought to Chicago Debates strategic insight, determination, passion for mission, and finely-honed development skills. Her leadership was characterized by respect, collaboration, transparency, integrity, and a knack for inspiring deep commitment. Other nonprofits will be lucky to have her as a consultant. 
    David Nadig
    Board Chair
    Chicago Debates
  •  Edie Canter assisted us in creating a comprehensive development plan, provided invaluable input in our Executive Director search, and brought our program to life in excellent grant proposals. I would highly recommend her for her expertise in development, strategic planning, Board relations and communications. 
    Ben Wong
    Board Chair
    Chicago Chess Foundation