Bridge the Gap with Interim Executive Leadership for Not-for-Profits
Providing interim executive leadership for your not-for-profit when and where it’s needed.
Leadership Stability When It Matters Most
Leadership transitions can disrupt focus, decision-making, and organizational momentum. At The Osborne Group, we provide experienced interim executive leadership to help not-for-profit organizations maintain service quality, operational continuity, and strategic direction during periods of change.
The Osborne Group is a team of experienced executives that has been helping organizations succeed since 1993. We provide interim management, consulting, planning, and project management services to small, mid-sized, and multinational organizations across the not-for-profit, public, and for-profit sectors.
Organizations We've Supported
What Are Our Clients Telling Us?
We need leadership stability.
An unplanned departure of a senior leader, through resignation, termination, or leave of absence, can result in loss of focus, stalled decision-making, and uncertainty across the organization. Interim executive leadership provides stability and direction during these transitions.
We need support for a new initiative or direction.
When organizations grow through expansion, merger, or acquisition, the required leadership skill set may not exist internally. Interim executives can provide the experience needed to drive change and develop new solutions.
We’re swamped and need help getting projects done.
In a changing environment, when existing leaders are fully engaged with day-to-day responsibilities, interim support allows organizations to complete critical or strategic projects without overextending internal teams.
Interim Leadership Services for Not-for-Profits
Interim Executive Leadership
When boards require an external executive resource for support while evaluating long-term needs, we provide interim executives who bring stability, clarity, and direction.
We can serve as:
- Interim CEO or Executive Director
- Interim COO, CFO, CIO, or CHRO
- Interim Vice-President or senior functional leader
Responsibilities may include providing strategy and organizational direction, overseeing operational and financial performance, fostering and sustaining positive relationships with staff, boards, donors, funders and volunteers; and supporting the recruitment and transition of permanent leadership.
Interim Leadership in Practice
In recent years, we have performed diverse interim leadership contracts addressing specific circumstances:
- Covering executive leaves and helping organizations regain focus post-COVID
- Supporting planned executive departures and board-led leadership transitions
- Assisting organizations seeking strategic partners to amalgamate or expand their capabilities
Ongoing Executive Support
Once permanent executives are in place, we often continue supporting organizations through ad hoc arrangements and remain available for strategic advice and collegial discussion as needs arise.
Executive Search
We offer a flexible, cost-effective approach to executive recruitment. Unlike large search firms, we customize our services to meet client needs and budgets, charging only for time spent on the assignment.
We work closely with selection committees, leveraging both your organization’s networks and our extensive sector contacts. Our process is thorough, professional, inclusive, and well-organized, particularly valuable during periods of transition and change.
Executive Support, Coaching, and Leadership Development
The Osborne Group principals bring extensive experience in interim executive leadership experience, executive coaching, and leadership development for not-for-profit organizations. Whether serving in an interim role or as trusted advisors, we support senior leaders who are navigating complex challenges or preparing for new responsibilities.
Our executive support and coaching services may include guidance on board-staff relations, financial management and forecasting, human resources leadership, strategy and organizational direction, labour relations, succession planning, performance management, and team development.
Assignments for coaching and performance management are deeply personal and interactive. Our approach is collaborative and tailored. We work with you to assess current leadership capacity, identify development priorities, define strategies for growth, and provide ongoing support throughout implementation. Coaching can be delivered in person or virtually, with continued access to expert guidance as new issues or opportunities arise.
Meet Our Interim Executive Leaders
Discover how our interim executive leaders rapidly assess organizational needs and provide senior support for periods of transition, vacancy, growth, or change. Whether the engagement is short-term, part-time, or year-round, we help not-for-profit organizations maintain stability, stay aligned with their mission, and move important work forward with clarity and confidence.
Our Clients Say It Best
We engaged The Osborne Group to help streamline our programs and address several long-standing challenges. Their program review process was exceptionally well planned and thoughtfully executed. They took the time to meet with every team member, listen to individual perspectives, and gain a deep understanding of our organization. What was most impressive was their ability to tailor their services to our specific needs rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.
We now have a clear change management strategy and a stronger sense of organizational cohesion. Staff engagement is high, and we are seeing positive changes happen in real time with minimal disruption. We are extremely pleased with the work The Osborne Group provided and highly recommend their services.
Mary Davis, CEO
CMHA North Bay and District
As our organization grew, we found we needed more comprehensive support in strategic planning, financial management, and human resources. The Osborne Group provided exceptional guidance in all three areas. What stood out most was their deep understanding of our work and the genuine care they brought to every engagement, consistently prioritizing the best interests of our organization and its long-term success.
From an HR perspective, they helped us build greater stability by strengthening employee relations, enhancing our people practices, and ensuring the right processes and supports were in place. On the financial side, they coached our staff on day-to-day financial management practices, strengthening our internal capabilities. Finally, the strategic plan they helped us develop has put us on a clear path toward growth and long-term sustainability. Their partnership has been instrumental in helping our organization become stronger, more stable, and better positioned for the future.
Chama Chongo
Executive Director, Madison Community Services
Faced with potential operational funding cuts, our not-for-profit organization recognized the urgent need to consider various scenarios to plan for financial change. We were looking for structure and experience to help us think through some difficult questions. The Osborne Group facilitated a workshop with our board and using our current strategic plan, they developed three financial scenarios for the organization to explore. The Osborne Group was very thorough and provided the external perspective needed to ask hard questions that led to in-depth conversations and great engagement from the board. We can now step back and look at our organization from a wider lens and we have a plan to best move forward. Overall, The Osborne Group provided incredible value and we are very pleased with the outcome.
Wendy Rading
Executive Director, Arts Etobicoke
Our organization lacked clarity around board governance, defined roles, and how each position fit within the overall structure. Entrenched habits and inconsistent practices made it difficult for directors to understand their evolving responsibilities. The Osborne Group provided practical insight into our challenges and a clear path forward. The principal worked to build trust quickly, adapted the approach as needed, and met individually with each director to address the key challenges. As a result, we now operate with clear governance guidelines, structured onboarding for new members, and strong checks and balances to ensure accountability. Overall, the engagement was professional, straightforward, and highly effective.
Tracey Williams
Director of Operations, Waterloo Minor Hockey Association
Our organization needed a strategic plan to enhance our professionalism, establish clear direction, and define our goals. The Osborne Group guided us in creating this plan. Their approach was professional, organized, and structured, enabling full team participation. As a result, we now have dynamic policies, procedures, and sub-committees in place, allowing us to take a proactive approach.
Doug Morrison
President, Board Member, The Table Soup Kitchen Foundation
Faced with challenges related to governance, organizational culture, and a leadership transition, we required a consulting firm that could support both our day-to-day operations and long-term strategic priorities. The Osborne Group helped us navigate these complexities by delivering practical solutions tailored to our organization, while also considering the external factors that impact our environment.
Their reputable principals bring deep expertise and a high level of professionalism across their respective disciplines. They took the time to work closely with our team, providing coaching and mentorship that helped build the skills needed for sustained success. As a result, we are now on a clear path to stability and growth made possible through The Osborne Group’s trusted guidance.
Volletta Peters, PhD
Executive Director, Sistering
Our agency was going through a period of major transition, and we lacked bench strength on our team to help assess what was going on and provide top level leadership. The Osborne Group provided an interim executive leader who listened and quickly assessed the strengths and weaknesses of the organization. The ED made recommendations for new staff, restructuring and provided solid solutions that laid the groundwork for us to execute new initiatives and have long-term growth. We now have a stronger organization that's armed with a strategic plan for a way forward.
Cindy Blakely
Founder, New Circles
We were working with a team that had grown dissatisfied and was facing a lot of changes which resulted in low engagement scores. The Osborne Group was able to provide an HR advisor who facilitated sessions to talk with the group about the changes and expectations, new ways of measuring performance, explained the policies and processes and helped them explore career opportunities. After the sessions with the team, we could tell that the team was opening up to new ways of working and realize the benefits of the changes. We feel that overall, the sessions had a positive effect and that we are now on the right path forward.
Marcel Badertscher, CHRE
Vice President, Human Resources, Heartland Mutual Insurance
Working as a small team had become insular and repetitive, and the challenges of dealing with a tight budget meant we had to be creative to make the most of the available funds. We worked with The Osborne Group to create our new strategic plan because they had experience working with family health teams. They facilitated thoughtful and inclusive discussions with our team which allowed us to generate new ideas, gain a fresh perspective, and get out of our comfort zone. It was all very worthwhile because we now have a realistic plan that includes actionable items that we can work towards to reach the end goals and help drive us forward. The new plan is useful and understandable across sectors and allows the funders to see the challenges that lie ahead but also future success.
Kate Malisani
Executive Director, Crosstown Family Health Team
Our organization was operating without the systems, procedures, and policies needed to support efficiency, transparency, and productivity. We were extremely busy and lacked the time to reflect and map out where we wanted to go. The biggest challenge was managing change while determining what was truly valuable and what was not.
The Osborne Group helped us develop a strategic plan tailored to our organization. Their approach was not cookie-cutter or based on a standard toolkit. It reflected our workplace and executive board culture and long-term aspirations. As a result, we now have a multi-year plan with clear direction and the confidence to pivot as needed. We are very pleased with the work The Osborne Group did and the thoughtful approach they brought to the process.
Glenn Wheeler
COPE Ontario
Need Interim Executive Leadership for Your Not-for-Profit?
If your not-for-profit needs an interim executive leader to help navigate through a transition or maintain stability, The Osborne Group is ready to help. Our experienced interim leaders provide stability, insight, and direction, exactly when it’s needed.