Services

Sarah partners with innovators, dreamers, and change agents in these ways:

Interim Executive Director

Sarah entered the world of nonprofits as the founding Executive Director of a 501(c)(3) in Saint Louis. She went on to fulfill responsibilities of an outgoing Executive Director at an established organization in New Haven. Sarah has held leadership roles in Development, Operations, and Communications. She currently serves as a Director on the Wiedemann-Steiner Syndrome Foundation Board.

If your organization is experiencing a transition, Sarah may be able to support you and your staff through that process. Functions she fulfills on an interim basis include:

• Maintaining continuity of operations, finances, programs, and staff management
• Acting as a point of contact between your board and staff
• Supporting your board in hiring and onboarding the next Executive Director
• Managing crises, from PR to internal communications and change management
• Ensuring stewardship of donor relationships with foundations, high net worth donors,  and corporations
• Guiding strategic identification and implementation of changes to ensure long-term sustainability of the organization

Sarah has vast experience stepping into roles on short notice and rallying teams to reengage in their work. Sarah brings calm, steadfast leadership that ensures a smooth transition for your organization.

Currently, her Interim Executive Director engagements vary from 15 to 25 hours per week, starting with a two-month commitment. If your organization is looking for support and your needs vary from this framework, please reach out to discuss further.

Fractional Chief Operating Officer 

Sarah is a two-time VC-backed founder who knows how to get stuff done. She has built organizations from the ground up and knows how to create the ideal operating system for your startup. She also understands what it's like to be the CEO and she loves partnering with visionary entrepreneurs who need support operationalizing their vision. Sarah might be a good fit for your startup if:

• You're CEO of a pre-seed to seed stage startup
• You're looking to get your back office organized
• You have administrative staff who can provide tactical support with the guidance of experienced operational leadership
• You're looking to stretch your capital during this stage of your startup

Sarah brings years of operations experience across startups and high-growth nonprofits. Her Fractional COO engagements vary from 10 hours per month to 20 hours per week, starting with a three-month commitment. Sarah is also available on a project basis, with specific deliverables, over the span of four to six weeks.

Fundraising Consultant

Sarah works on fundraising with nonprofits on a project basis. Examples of typical engagements include: 

• Drafting an annual fundraising strategy, inclusive of diverse income streams and goals
• Coaching an Executive Director and Board on fundraising within their networks
• Planning and overseeing a capital campaign
• Drafting a grant application
• Bringing program and development staff together to create a logic model along with monitoring and evaluation plans for a grant application

Sarah aims to equip nonprofit professionals with the skills needed to carry their work forward after her engagement ends.

Speaking, Facilitating, and Training for Groups 

Sarah works with corporations, foundations, and community groups to get them thinking in new ways. Examples of projects Sarah has completed include:

• Training cross-functional staff at a manufacturing site on Neurodiversity in the Workplace
• Facilitating virtual and in-person Caregiver Support Groups
• Speaking at a rare disease conference about the value of disability advocacy

If you're interested in hiring Sarah to join your event, please email info@sarahmspear.com with details including event name, date, audience, and budget.

To learn more about Sarah's professional background, please visit her LinkedIn profile.