About S&L Strategic Solutions

S&L Strategic Solutions was founded by Susan Lange with a vision to help nonprofits be better at doing good in their communities.

Understanding the challenges nonprofit organizations face—such as limited staff and the need for streamlined operations. We are committed to helping nonprofits 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 nonprofit 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.

Why we do what we do—

At S&L Strategic Solutions, we are driven by a deep passion for empowering nonprofits 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.

Case Study: Diversify Funding Streams for a Nonprofit

Goal: Building Sustainable Fundraising Infrastructure

Background: A nonprofit 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 nonprofit focused on building an infrastructure that enabled an efficient and scalable annual fundraising plan with minimal staff and board involvement. Key actions included:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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 ten years, the nonprofit’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.

Supporting Nonprofits in Achieving Excellence

The Do Better Fund is a transformative initiative designed to empower nonprofit organizations by providing financial support to those unable to fully cover the costs of essential consulting services. This fund ensures that critical improvements to organizational infrastructure, fundraising strategies, and donor stewardship practices are accessible to nonprofits, regardless of budget constraints. By investing in these core areas, nonprofits can increase their efficiency, sustainability, and overall impact.

Purpose of the Fund

Many nonprofits face financial barriers when it comes to investing in the expertise needed to strengthen their operations and achieve their missions. The Do Better Fund bridges this gap by covering partial or full consulting fees for nonprofits requiring assistance. This support allows organizations to benefit from the tailored guidance and solutions provided by S&L Strategic Solutions, ensuring they are equipped to perform better and deliver lasting impact in their communities.

Commitment from Beneficiaries

To maximize the fund’s impact and inspire future recipients, nonprofits that benefit from the Do Better Fund agree to provide the following:

1. Client Testimonial: Upon completion of the consulting project, beneficiaries will share their experience of working with Susan at S&L Strategic Solutions. These testimonials will be featured in promotional materials and on the S&L Strategic Solutions website to showcase the fund’s success and encourage other organizations to participate.
2. Six- to Twelve-Month Impact Update: Beneficiaries will provide a follow-up report detailing how the completed work has improved their organization’s operations. This report may highlight measurable outcomes such as increased donor retention, streamlined processes, enhanced staff productivity, or improved financial sustainability. These updates will demonstrate the value of investing in nonprofit infrastructure and inspire ongoing support for the Do Better Fund.

3. Social Media and Support Promotion: Beneficiaries will promote S&L Strategic Solutions on their social media outlets and encourage their supporters to shop at the Do Good Be Better swag shop or purchase a gift card. This helps spread awareness of the fund and fosters a culture of giving back.

Join Us in Making a Difference

The Do Better Fund is a call to action for donors and stakeholders who believe in the power of strong infrastructure to drive meaningful change. Together, we can ensure that every nonprofit, regardless of financial limitations, has access to the resources needed to thrive. Through your support, we can help organizations do better—for their teams, their donors, and the communities they serve.

There are two ways you can support the Do Better Fund.

1. Shop at the Do Good. Be Better. swag store. 50% of the proceeds fund the Be Better Fund.
2. Give a GIFT CARD to a nonprofit of your choice.