Special Ops in Action.
Here's how I've turned nonprofit vision into reality. From securing multi-million dollar funding to launching complex cross-sector initiatives, these aren't just success stories—they're blueprints of what happens when strategic plans meet operational muscle.
Plans mean nothing without solid operations behind them.
Mission: Regional Impact Acceleration.
Imagine a moment when multi-million in grant funding is on the horizon, promising to transform an entire region - but your Executive Director is departing. This was the reality facing the Community Foundation of the San Luis Valley. The stakes were incredibly high: this funding could revolutionize nonprofit infrastructure across the San Luis Valley and Archuleta County, but only if the transition was handled perfectly.
I partnered with the outgoing Executive Director during their final months to build something lasting. Together, we created robust systems that would outlive any single leader: grant-making databases that spoke directly to state requirements, accounting systems that were transparent and met best practice standards, clear processes that anyone could follow, and relationships with over 40 local nonprofits who were counting on this funding to serve their communities.
But systems alone don't ensure success. The incoming Executive Director needed to hit the ground running. I worked side by side with them, translating complex nonprofit principles into practical action. We didn't just talk about best practices - we lived them, building a clear vision for the foundation's future while ensuring every grant dollar made maximum impact in the community.
The result? A foundation that didn't skip a beat during its leadership change. Today, they're not just distributing funds - they're transforming their region, proving that with the right operational foundation, leadership transitions can become moments of growth rather than vulnerability.
"I have known Joy for nearly 15 years. She has significantly impacted both urban and rural nonprofit organizations. She was instrumental in bringing over $1.5 million in capacity building funds to the San Luis Valley. She skillfully coached the incoming Executive Director at CFSLV, providing him with vital sector-specific knowledge and helping to arrange two years of funding to guarantee a smooth and effective start to his leadership." Mike Roque, Former Executive Director of Community Foundation of the San Luis Valley
Mission: Creating Hope through Innovation
At the Carson J Spencer Foundation, we faced a critical challenge: how could we prevent teen suicide by empowering youth to become leaders in their own communities? The answer came through an innovative social entrepreneurship program, but bringing it to scale required more than just a good idea - it needed rock-solid operations.
Within six months, we secured a $500,000 multi-year grant. But the real work was just beginning. Working across sectors, we built a coalition between the Foundation, Junior Achievement, Second Wind Fund, and local public schools in two districts. We didn't just create a program - we created a movement.
Together, we developed a year-long curriculum that taught students more than business skills - it taught them they could change their world. What started with 40 young people grew to 200 across ten public schools. Each of these students became a point of hope in their community, proving that when you give youth the right tools and support, they can tackle even the most challenging social issues.
Mission: Cross-Sector Collaboration
"We need to break down these silos." That's what nonprofit leaders in Denver kept saying. They knew there was power in collaboration, but turning that idea into reality required more than good intentions. At the Denver Office of Strategic Partnerships, we set out to prove that structured collaboration could yield exponential results.
We built more than just a cross-sector leadership program - we created a community of practice. Nonprofit and government grant-writers who once worked in isolation began sharing knowledge, resources, and opportunities. Monthly meetings became incubators for innovation, with each organization opening their doors and sharing their challenges and successes.
The impact exceeded everyone's expectations: participants secured over $22 million in federal and national foundation funding - quadrupling the previous year's results. But the real success story was in the relationships built and the barriers broken down. Denver's nonprofit sector had found its collective voice.
This collaborative spirit led us to create the Executive Director Leadership Program, where we took 15 emerging nonprofit leaders on a journey of transformation. Through monthly deep-dives into everything from empathetic leadership to financial management, these rising stars gained not just knowledge, but confidence and community. The result? Ninety percent stepped into Executive Director or senior leadership roles, creating a ripple effect of strong nonprofit leadership across the city.
These weren't just programs - they were proving grounds for what's possible when you combine strong operations with collaborative vision. Each success built momentum for the next, showing that when nonprofits work together, supported by solid operational infrastructure, there's no limit to what they can achieve.
Mission: Driving Systems Change
Some challenges require looking deeper than surface solutions. At The Greenbook Initiative in Colorado Springs, we tackled one of society's most complex issues: how the criminal justice system handles the intersection of domestic violence and child abuse.
Through qualitative research - analyzing state statutes, police procedures, 911 protocols, and courtroom procedures - we uncovered how these systems either helped or hindered victims seeking justice. This wasn't just academic research; it was about understanding the lived experiences of victims and identifying opportunities for meaningful change.
Our findings, presented to a cross-functional committee, laid the groundwork for systemic improvements that would better serve vulnerable families in our community.