Not-for-Profit Consulting Experience Across Canada
Deep consulting experience supporting not-for-profit organizations across Canada with strategy, governance, finance, operations, IT, HR, and interim leadership.
Our Sector Experience
The Osborne Group has supported the not-for-profit sector in Ontario and across Canada for many years. Our principals bring hands-on leadership, executive, and advisory experience across a wide range of organizations, helping boards and leadership teams strengthen strategy, governance, finance, operations, human resources, technology, and organizational effectiveness.
Community and Social Services
Community and social service organizations face limited funding, growing demand for services, and ongoing pressure to deliver effective programs, while supporting the population and meeting mission and goals.
The Osborne Group has deep experience working with organizations in this sector. Our principals understand the operational realities and limitations and have repeatedly helped organizations find solutions. Clients in this sector often return to us when new needs arise because we can step in quickly with relevant experience.
Professional Associations
Professional associations operate in an environment where credentials, relevance, and public confidence are increasingly challenged. These organizations must support their members while ensuring education, transparency, and compliance.
The Osborne Group has worked with professional associations across sectors, particularly in addressing their human resources challenges.
Culture and Sport Organizations
Cultural and sport organizations often face fluctuating audience engagement, funding constraints, and pressure to innovate. Without effective strategies, organizations risk losing connection with their communities and diminishing long-term sustainability and cultural impact.
Our principals have extensive experience working within cultural organizations and understand the unique pressures they face. A key area of support has been providing interim leadership and strategic guidance.
Community Foundations, Private Foundations, and Registered Charities
Charities and foundations often face limited resources, complex regulatory environments, and evolving community needs while striving to fulfill their mission.
The Osborne Group works closely with organizational leaders to develop and implement strategies that align with mission, strengthen governance, and support sustainable impact. We can provide interim, fractional or project support as required to meet organizational needs.
Government Agencies
Government agencies are under continuous pressure to deliver services efficiently and effectively. Our principals bring a wealth of government experience, including operations, procurement, and information technology.
Healthcare Organizations
Healthcare organizations face complex regulatory environments, operational pressures, and growing community needs. From small health teams to larger care organizations, leaders must balance compliance, service delivery, and sustainability.
At The Osborne Group, we support healthcare organizations with services designed to improve operational efficiency, enhance patient care, and support service expansion.
Examples of Our Work in the Not-for-Profit Sector
Amalgamation & Integration
- Feasibility review and due diligence
- Merger, integration, shared-services planning
- Project management and implementation
Governance & Board Effectiveness
- Board governance reviews
- Governance training and documentation
- Role clarity, policies, and decision frameworks
Financial Management & Sustainabillity
- Financial health checks and reviews
- Budgeting, reporting, and finance structure
- Policy review and special finance projects
Human Resources & Organizational Capacity
- HR and organizational capacity reviews
- Compensation, pay equity, and compliance support
- Interim HR leadership and workplace change support
Interim Leadership
- Interim executive leadership
- Senior management support during transition
- Stability during recruitment or organizational change
Indigenous Community Services
- Government relations and funding
- Strategy and planning
- Program and project delivery
Strategic Planning
- Strategic planning facilitation
- Strategic plan development or renewal
- Operational planning and implementation support
Strategic Sourcing & Vensor Oversight
- RFP and vendor selection support
- Contract review and supplier risk management
- Vendor governance and cost optimization
Information Technology & Systems
- IT assessments and planning
- Vendor, software, and security review
- IT project leadership and advisory support
Organizations We've Supported
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
We worked closely with Michelle to help streamline our programs and address several internal challenges. She took the time to engage with team members in meaningful conversations, gaining a deep understanding of our organization, our needs, and opportunities for improvement. Her thoughtful and collaborative approach built trust and ensured that everyone felt heard throughout the process.
Michelle’s professionalism, flexibility, and commitment were evident in every interaction. She consistently adapted her schedule to meet our needs, often with very little notice, and kept communication clear and consistent throughout. Her willingness to go above and beyond including making a lengthy trip home from North Bay by bus-demonstrated her dedication to supporting our team and advancing the important work we do at CMHA for our community.
Her positive attitude, strong knowledge base, and reliable approach made her a pleasure to work with, and we would not hesitate to recommend her for similar work in the future.
Mary Davis, CEO
CMHA North Bay and District
Sherry Parsley’s depth of experience working with teams was a great asset to us while we developed our new strategic plan. She is approachable and accessible and created a casual and calm environment that allowed our team to discuss the issues and draw everything out. Sherry provided the guidance our organization needed to gain a fresh perspective and forge ahead with an actionable plan.
Kate Malisani
Executive Director - Crosstown Family Health Team
Our organization recruited Sherry Parsley to assist in the full development of a first-time strategic plan with a very tight timeline for delivery. Sherry was found to be informed, efficient and effective in her work. As a very skilled professional, her talents include her ability to be attuned, engaged, accepting and inclusive. No one was left behind as she led us towards a successful outcome.
I recommend turning to The Osborne Group as this is the calibre of professional we have consistently secured from their team.
Carol Cowan-Levine
Eli's Place
Sherry Parsley facilitated a senior management retreat for OCAPDD in late September. Sherry’s expertise in this role was exemplary. Feedback from the team was overwhelmingly positive about her leadership in the role, and her assistance with our discussions. As the Executive Director of the team, I truly appreciated Sherry’s valuable personal commentary & professional insights that she inserted into our deliberations at just the right times.
Dave Ferguson
Executive Director, OCAPDD
Sarah is amazing! She is not only an exceptional HR professional but also a genuinely caring person who is deeply invested in the success of the organizations and people she supports. Over the years, her thoughtful guidance, practical expertise, and ability to navigate complex challenges have been invaluable to our team. We have greatly appreciated her outstanding HR support and trusted advice, and we continue to stay in touch as new opportunities and challenges arise.
Chama Chongo
Executive Director, Madison Community Services
We’ve worked with Sarah Hisey for 15 years, and it has been a great partnership. She has helped us develop thorough HR policies and frameworks that have strengthened our organization.
Sarah’s attention to detail in vetting and hiring new employees is unmatched. She is professional, straightforward, and understands our needs. She consistently delivers results and is a pleasure to work with.
Barry Friesen, P.Eng.
Executive Director, Cleanfarms Inc.
Michelle has been an invaluable partner in helping our organization grow and achieve its goals. With her support in developing and implementing our strategic plan, we have not only stayed on track but have actually surpassed the goals we set out to achieve in terms of increasing our housing stock. We are also incredibly grateful for her assistance in securing MURA (Multi-Unit Residential Acquisition) funding, as she ensured that our approach remained well-positioned. Michelle's expertise, dedication, and commitment to our success have made a meaningful difference, and we are deeply appreciative of her support.
Chama Chongo
Executive Director, Madison Community Services
Michelle Coombs was a pleasure to work with, and we really enjoyed our interactions! She was able to cut through complexities and bring clarity to a wide range of board perspectives, helping us align and reach a strong, unified consensus.
She set clear priorities, guided our thinking, and encouraged us to take a longer-term view with a five-year plan. Her adaptability and focused efforts on what mattered most were key to the success of the engagement.
Jeffrey Beach
President & CEO, Asthma Canada
Michelle has extensive experience working with not-for-profit organizations, and her academic credentials and breadth of knowledge are invaluable. She utilized co-creation and built a strong, collaborative environment. Through coaching and guidance, she ensured staff felt supported and heard, while bringing diverse perspectives together to strengthen the outcome.
Volletta Peters, PhD
Executive Director, Sistering
Transform Your Not-for-Profit Organization Today
At The Osborne Group, we are passionate about supporting not-for-profit organizations so they can operate at their full potential. Contact us to learn how our experienced advisors can help your organization in making a lasting difference in your community.
Contact The Osborne Group and talk with a Principal about your organization’s pressing issues.