The Athena Advisors
Organizational performance for good
FUNDRAISING CONSULTING | STRATEGIC PLANNING | BOARD DEVELOPMENT | LEADERSHIP RETREATS | CAPACITY-BUILDING
We're driven by
a passion for
social justice
The Athena Advisors is a social enterprise using its knowledge, experience and connections to assist mission driven organizations by improving their fundraising approach and ability - creating a more equitable, more sustainable world.
Fundraising and Organizational Management
Thurgood Marshall College Fund makes the prospects a lot brighter for 300,000 college students at 47 Historically-Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
The Athena Advisors look out for TMCF’s prospects.
How We Help You Fundraise Better
We partner with you to strengthen your fundraising performance — building the skills, systems, and confidence your entire organization needs to thrive.
We build capacity and strategy.
We assess your organization’s ability to raise significant, sustainable funds. Using data, best practices, and decades of real-world experience, we create a clear strategy to help you secure the resources you need.
We find and prioritize your best prospects.
We identify potential donors and partners, then develop a targeted plan to get you started fast.
We make fundraising human again.
Not sure you love fundraising? We help you find the words, stories, and confidence to have transformative conversations with people who can fund your mission.
We align your whole organization.
We refine your fundraising approach, clarify roles, and orient leadership, staff, and board around shared fundraising goals — because successful fundraising is everyone’s responsibility.
We manage risk and build trust.
We help you develop clear policies, define roles, and navigate the political realities of fundraising. Sometimes, an “outsider-in-chief” is exactly what your organization needs.
We tell you the truth as we see it.
Every organization has weak spots. We’ll be candid, strategic, and supportive as you strengthen yours. You have important work to do — and we’re here to help you do it.
Board Development and Coaching
Charlie Merinoff is Chairman of one of the nation’s leading distributors of fine wines and spirits.
The Athena Advisors helps you acquire the skills required to chair a nonprofit board.
How We Strengthen Boards
Nonprofit board members often come from the corporate world — but a nonprofit setting is different. New skills are required. The rules of engagement change.
We help boards build structure and confidence.
From governance policies to meeting frameworks, we ensure your board has the tools, structure, and know-how to operate effectively and lead with purpose.
We bring clarity and accountability.
We help organizations track the right metrics and measure what truly matters — ensuring decisions drive impact, not just activity.
We guide successful transitions.
Succession planning for CEOs and board chairs is often avoided — but essential. We help you prepare, plan, and lead with foresight and stability.
We strengthen leadership and collaboration.
We coach board chairs to work effectively with their CEOs, fellow trustees, and funders, creating stronger partnerships and clearer communication.
We build shared understanding.
Through board and staff retreats, we take you behind the scenes of the nonprofit sector — helping teams revitalize, refocus, and realign around your mission.
Let's work together to build stronger boards, strengthen your fundraising, and ensure a lasting impact.