What We Do
AS A SOCIAL IMPACT CONSULTING FIRM we help companies, foundations and individuals make a difference. Our work gets to the heart of the matter. We break silos because it takes more than any one check or policy or letter to tackle big issues like economic security, human rights or climate sustainability. We prescribe a custom formula of advocacy, collaboration, investment, philanthropy, policy and new ways of doing business in order to help you make progress.
Our Services
The process begins with a simple question: What do you want to achieve? The answer becomes the North Star to turn that passion into a purpose. Articulating a mission and architecting a roadmap to reach that end is where Giving Strong comes in. We work with you to build real-world programs that make real social change. Our work is thoughtful, strategic and custom for each client.
STRATEGY & MANAGEMENT
- Strategic Planning
- Mission and Vision Development
- Corporate Social Responsibility and ESG Assessment + Programming
- Crisis and Issues Management
- Program Development + Evaluation
- Change Management
- CSR + ESG Reporting
FINANCIAL CAPITAL DEPLOYMENT
- Grant Making
Impact Investing Counsel- Philanthropic Advisory
- Scholarship Programs
COMMUNICATIONS
- Stakeholder Communications
- Thought Leadership
- Issues Advocacy + Public Affairs
- Public Relations
- Community Relations
- Content Marketing, development and distribution
Current and Past Clients
Who We Are
Christen Graham brought together her head and her heart when she founded Giving Strong. In previous tenures as a journalist, public relations professional and executive, she intentionally incorporated social impact into her work. Christen has worked with pioneers of the Corporate Social Responsibility movement, leading academic institutions, modern foundations and influential media. She has given voice to underserved people and built programs that foster opportunity. Christen advocates for immigrants by serving on the board of ProsperityME, activates women to be impact investors by serving on the steering committee of Invest for Better, and mentors young people as a Fresh Air Fund host. She is a Tufts University graduate.
News
How to get unstuck in your pursuit of social impact
In our November 2017 newsletter we share the common refrains from clients who tell us they're "stuck" in their efforts to make a greater social impact. We also share Susanne Salerno's message of gratitude from a volunteer experience that makes the most of partnerships...
Christen Graham in Boston Globe on celebrity athlete’s charitable motivations
The Boston Globe wrote a piece about New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's compensation for supporting the Best Buddies program, a surprise to many readers who thought the relationship was unpaid and purely charitable. This is a familiar refrain, in the vein of...
HR’s role in CSR
Who owns the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) function at your business? HR often holds a piece of it, as does marketing, facilities and sourcing. Be sure to align community and philanthropy across the enterprise to be most successful, Giving Strong's Christen...