After 19 years as a conservation professional, I decided to launch Strong Outcomes to use what I learned to help environmental agencies and organizations be more successful.

In my career, I have helped dozens of communities and organizations build capacity to conserve natural resources and authored a book on natural resource-based land use planning. I developed conservation plans, organized workshops and events, developed community engagement strategies, and implemented practical measures of success.

I have a BS in Biology and an MS in Biodiversity Conservation and Policy from the University at Albany, and a Certificate in Change Leadership from Cornell University. I am a Senior Fellow with the Environmental Leadership Program and have 13 years of nonprofit board experience.

Effect Size Consulting provides nonprofits with strategic leadership, coaching and support in three main fundraising and organizational growth focus areas: Major Gifts & Campaign Fundraising Strategy, Data-Driven Fundraising, and High-Performance Team Development. Principal, Anthony Rupard has over fifteen years of experience leading progressive fund development teams, most recently as the Development Director for the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy’s $71.4M comprehensive Campaign for Generations which exceeded $80M in campaign support.

Our team can analyze your existing base of support and help you determine the potential for increased annual giving and major gift support and identify and develop planned-giving program opportunities. We can create a plan that positions the organization to increase annual support, assess campaign feasibility and comprehensively manage your campaign. We also conduct capacity audits, invest in team culture through training and create performance metrics to attract and retain talented fundraisers.

The Effect Size Consulting team is experienced with raising money for complex conservation land transactions including conservation lending and has a reputation for teaching staff, board and other key volunteers how to build authentic and trusting relationships that lead to transformational gifts.

Sarah is skilled at managing organizational change, developing and mentoring people and managing complex projects. She has worked in the not-for-profit, research, technology and education fields and has over twenty years of experience, most recently in the land trust community. Sarah served in several leadership roles at the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, including Director of Human Resources for five years and the Director of Stewardship for three years prior. She was instrumental in supporting the growth of the organization with attention to culture, development of staff and volunteers and monitoring benchmarks and outcomes. Sarah has extensive experience in the creation, implementation, and review of policies and procedures, and successfully led the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy through the accreditation process in 2009 and again in 2014. Today, Sarah supports land trusts as they plan and prepare for accreditation. She provides guidance and training to develop people and systems to meet the goals of the organization.