Testimonials
“We address chronic absenteeism in schools and Steve has been enormously helpful in transforming our organization to grow and achieve our mission. He has also helped me become a better leader to set priorities and focus our team on impact. He brings a strong understanding of the power of corporate partnerships and introduced us to staff at Google who are now working with us to use AI to analyze data and reduce absenteeism. Not only that, but we’ve formed a for profit company to grow our data analytics platform even further. We are very grateful for his leadership support, his amazing connections and his real passion for community impact!”
— Dr. Nyeisha DeWitt, CEO, Oakland Natives Give Back
“Through his work with Gratitude Network, Steve has coached and supported numerous nonprofit leaders and helped them grow their organizations. He combines real passion with experience on how to transform mission and vision into meaningful impact.”
— Derek Jernstedt, Quest Foundation
“Tha Town serves as a digital hub for the Oakland community and Steve has provided critical help in growing our program. He created a dynamic Junior Journalist program to engage and train high school students in the lost art of journalism. AND he helped us win a large grant to expand the program across Alameda County with a focus on covering the opioid crisis in the community. Steve is wonderful to work with, has great wisdom and tenacity, and has been a true partner in helping us grow our impact.”
— Justin Standley, Executive Director, Tha Town
“I have had the pleasure of working with Steve in two different nonprofit roles and I cannot recommend him highly enough. Steve’s dedication to my success was evident from our very first meeting. He took the time to understand my goals, strengths, and areas for development, and provided me with relevant, actionable plans. Steve’s expertise in the nonprofit sector is unparalleled, and his guidance has been invaluable in helping me set important strategies and meet fundraising goals. Steve has a unique ability to understand the specific challenges and opportunities within the nonprofit space and provide tailored advice that is both practical and thought-provoking. Steve McCoy Thompson is an outstanding advisor and compassionate coach.”
— Lisa Hallas, Major Gifts Manager, Spectrum Community Services, Inc.
“I can’t say enough about the thoughtful leadership coaching I received when I was lucky enough to have Steve as my Leadership Coach early in my career as Partners’ CEO. With his support and friendship, I’ve become a confident leader of a national organization that is transforming public schools. With his urging and thought partnership we leveraged an opportunity to support 100s of schools around the country. I was concerned that despite all of our planning, my organization wasn’t ready, and Steve’s grinning response was “Let me share with you a secret. No One is ever ready for game-changing opportunities! Do you believe that your Model would get results for kids there? Do you believe in your people? If your answer is yes to both, the rest you can figure out as you go.” Steve’s sense of humor and his expertise that comes from decades of leadership helped me hone my ability to lead my organization to secure a large Gates Foundation grant to reach thousands of teachers and students throughout the U.S. Thank you!”
— Derek Mitchell, CEO, Partners in School Innovation
“Steve co-founded Three Valleys Community foundation, which serves the dynamic Tri Valley region of California’s northern Silicon Valley. He created the vision, helped build our board and team, helped secure our first DAFs, and served as interim Executive Director to launch the foundation. He brings tremendous experience with donor development and community building. We are grateful for his leadership and ongoing support.”
— Kelly Bowers, CEO, Three Valleys Community Foundation
“As founder of Boldly Me, which empowers girls and boys to reach their full potential, I’m grateful that Steve has worked with me and our Director of Development to realize our vision. He is helping with our strategic fundraising plan – from clarifying our value proposition and defining measurable impact to building our pipeline and winning grants to support our work. He has been a true, trusted partner and I deeply value his insights and friendship.”
— Alanna Powell, Founder and Executive Director, Boldly Me
“Urban Ed Academy empowers more black men to serve as public school teachers. Steve helped position me and Urban Ed to refine our strategy, grow our programs, and win important grants with the city and a major foundation.”
— Randy Seriguchi, CEO, Urban Ed Academy
“Steve has been working with one of our grantees on leadership focus, partnership building, program development and fundraising support. He brings a wealth of wisdom, innovation, patience and accountability – and is transforming our grantee in the process. Highly recommended!”
— Dean Smith, Thinking Bench Foundation