Our Story

“The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

– Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Our work as strategic advisors to nonprofits – over 300 regional, national, and international organizations since 1980 - is catalyzed by this view of economic and social justice for all. By transforming nonprofits into high performance, high impact organizations making a difference in their communities and in our society, we aim to fulfill MLK’s vision.

Our primary value to our Nonprofit clients

Our approach is "from the roots up.” We dig deep into each nonprofit organization that we work with - programming, staff, budgets, governance, and fundraising - to understand achievable growth and transformation. Ours is an institution-building approach. This approach shapes stronger, more effective nonprofits capable of making sustained, significant impact.

Our Team

The Whelan Group is a boutique firm comprised of professionals and partners with a carefully assembled blend of talent and experience. Staff expertise ranges from finance, strategic planning, nonprofit management, business development, writing and research, and facility financing. We also have longstanding relationships with companies and firms that deliver transformational services in the areas of technology, communications, staff development, financial management, and facility planning and development. For each client and engagement, we assemble a team that best meets their needs and goals.

Charles Whelan

Charles Whelan

President

Susan Johnson

Susan Johnson

Senior Consultant

Cristiana Georgescu

Cristiana Georgescu

Consultant

For each client, we assemble a team that best serves the engagement. The Whelan Group is a boutique consulting firm. Staff expertise ranges from finance, strategic planning, nonprofit management, business development, writing and research, and facility financing. In addition, we have longstanding relationships with firms whose expertise complements our own - in the areas of technology, graphic design and communications, staff development, and facility planning and development.

Social Impact Exchange

The Social Impact Exchange is a community of funders, advisors, wealth managers, intermediaries, nonprofits and researchers interested in developing practices for funding and implementing large-scale expansions of high-impact nonprofit initiatives. Learn more >

Whelan Financial

The mission of nonprofit organizations is to serve the needs of others. In a similar way, clients come first at Whelan Financial.  We assist trustees of nonprofit retirement plans in caring for their employees through professional investment management and ongoing employee education. Learn more >

Red Stone Equity Partners

Red Stone Equity Partners, LLC is a leading real estate investment firm specializing in the syndication of Housing Tax Credits and Renewable Energy Tax Credits to facilitate the development of affordable multifamily rental housing and renewable energy projects. Learn more >

Fiscal Management Assoc.

Since 1999, FMA’s dedicated consultants have served nonprofit organizations and major funding entities nationwide and around the world by helping them develop the financial management capacity they need to fulfill their missions more effectively and efficiently. We call this capacity Operational Excellence. Learn more >

Rogelio Williams & Associates

Rogelio Williams & Associates is a domestic and international consulting firm specializing in advising on community development. The firm provides guidance on managing community transformation, asset building, disaster recovery strategies and more. Learn more >

BFJ Planning

BFJ Planning (BFJ) is a consulting firm providing professional expertise in planning and related fields. BFJ provides the following services for public, private, and nonprofit clients throughout the country and overseas: Planning, Urban Design, Environmental Analysis, Real Estate Consulting and Transportation Planning. Learn more >

Harris Rand Lusk

Harris Rand Lusk is a retained executive search firm dedicated to mission-driven organizations. Based in New York City, HRL’s practice is wide-ranging, placing leadership talent at some of the most influential and diverse organizations throughout the United States. Learn more >

Red Dog

Creativity isn’t about pretty pictures. It’s about compelling ideas, beautifully executed, that helps grow business and organizations. Based in Dublin, Ireland and with an office in New York, we’ve built our reputation conceiving, designing, writing, producing and managing great work. Learn more >

Jacobson Consulting Applications

Since 1988, JCA has helped nonprofits leverage their CRM technology, processes and data to grow revenue. We support membership, fundraising and ticketing initiatives with guidance on systems and operations.  Learn more >

WPMaster.me

WPMaster.me is a website support shop run by expert WordPress developer Kate M. Gilbert. Based in Jersey City, Kate helps non-profit site owners achieve website success with a blend of coding services and hands-on training, so that after launch, the client has full control and can use that site effectively. Learn more >

The Carla Capone Company

The Carla Capone Company LLC is a full-service event planning, management and fund-raising consulting firm. Founded in 1995, we create and produce a wide range of events including fundraisers and corporate events, awards ceremonies, golf tournaments, meetings, social occasions, live and silent auctions, board meetings, and celebrity/VIP galas. Learn more >

Pequot Consulting

Pequot Consulting has provided a range of statistical and consulting services for nonprofits over twenty three years. Its primary focus has been to discover hidden gift potential within the donor constituents of colleges, independent schools and membership organizations.

Jessica Weber Design, Inc.

Jessica Weber and her eponymous design firm holds the belief that a not-for-profit institution needs special attention to help tell its story. Attention to the special details that help fundraise more effectively, help increase memberships and enrollments, and help save lives through increasing donor participation.   Learn more >