S&L Strategic Solutions was founded by Susan Lange with a vision to help non-profits be better at doing good in their communities.
Understanding the challenges non-profit organizations face—such as limited staff and the need for streamlined operations. We are committed to helping non-profits overcome operational hurdles, optimize resources, and reach goals with greater efficiency.
Susan Lange, ODCP
Founder // Senior Consultant
Susan brings over 20 years of experience in non-profit fundraising and organizational development, specializing in helping organizations grow and achieve their goals. She holds a BA in Sociology and has earned certificates in both Organizational Development and Fundraising Management. Known for her integrity and dedication, Susan thrives in diverse environments, sharing her extensive knowledge to make a meaningful impact.
Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, camping, and spending time training her dog, Jake.
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Why we do what we do—
At S&L Strategic Solutions, we are driven by a deep passion for empowering non-profits with the core elements they need to thrive. We’ve seen firsthand the challenges that development departments face, often working with limited staff and resources to achieve ambitious goals. That’s why we believe in building a strong infrastructure that supports these teams by establishing best practice policies and procedures. By implementing these foundational elements, we not only enhance efficiency and consistency but also elevate the donor experience, which is crucial for cultivating lasting relationships.
Focusing on infrastructure is more than just streamlining operations—it’s about creating a strategic plan that paves the way for sustainable growth. When organizations have a clear development plan in place based on industry best-practice standards, they can effectively engage donors and communicate their mission in a compelling way. This structured approach leads to increased donor retention and ultimately drives higher donations. Our goal is to help organizations build this solid foundation so they can focus on what matters most.
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Tom Davis, President of Youth Dynamics
I had the privilege of working alongside Susan for many years. She is very experienced, professional, and knowledgeable. Our revenue increased significantly with her expertise and guidance. Susan genuinely cares about people and is committed to helping others achieve their goals.
Jessica Ronhaar, Regional Director at Youth Dynamics
“Susan is fantastic to work with. She understands what organizations need to reach their fundraising goals. The organization, structure, and first-hand knowledge that Susan brings helps to truly bring fundraising out of the box and to the next level.”
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Organizational Development Works!
Case Study: Diversify Funding Streams for a Non-Profit
Goal: Building Sustainable Fundraising Infrastructure
Background: A non-profit with limited staff and board involvement relied heavily on grant funding, restricting its long-term sustainability. To create a more balanced and resilient funding model, the organization aimed to establish a strong base of individual donors. At the time, annual donations were about $50,000, with contributions primarily coming from one-time gifts.
Challenges: Without a dedicated development team or significant board involvement, the organization faced challenges in implementing and sustaining a comprehensive fundraising program. They needed systems and processes that could be maintained by a small team with minimal administrative burden.
Solution: Partnering with Susan, the non-profit focused on building an infrastructure that enabled an efficient and scalable annual fundraising plan with minimal staff and board involvement. Key actions included:
- Creating Fundraising Appeals: By setting up templates and messaging guidelines, the organization could send regular appeals that effectively communicated impact without reinventing content each time. Appeals were tailored to different donor segments to enhance engagement.
- Event Management Tools: Susan helped set up a streamlined process for event planning that included checklists, timelines, and digital registration systems. This allowed the organization to execute successful events with limited staff resources while providing meaningful donor engagement opportunities.
- Automating Donor Follow-Up and Stewardship: A system for tracking donor interactions and sending automated thank-you messages helped maintain personal connections without overwhelming the team. Susan established touchpoints for stewardship, including personalized follow-up letters, impact reports, and targeted thank-you notes to build loyalty and encourage repeat giving.
- Leveraging Networking and Cultivation Strategies: Staff were trained on best practices for cultivating donor relationships through regular updates, outreach, and invitations to engage with the organization’s mission in various ways, allowing for a personal touch even with limited resources.
- Implementing a Cohesive Marketing Strategy: With support from Susan, the organization revised its messaging to consistently highlight its impact and values across all platforms. This shift allowed the organization to speak confidently about its mission, creating a strong narrative that resonated with current and potential donors.
Results: Over the course of a few years, the non-profit’s annual donations grew from roughly $50,000 to nearly $450,000, with an established planned giving program for future stability. By implementing sustainable processes, the organization was able to meet and exceed its annual fundraising goals without adding significant strain on its small staff and board members. This infrastructure allowed the organization to maintain and grow its donor base, building a culture of giving that could support its mission for years to come.