Where evidence, dialogue, and decision-making meet.

Common Ground Strategy is a consulting firm specializing in program evaluation, organizational learning, and strategic facilitation for public-serving institutions. We work with nonprofits, governments, and higher education partners to navigate complexity, surface evidence, and support thoughtful, collective decision-making.

About
Common Ground Strategy

We bring together rigorous evaluation methods, inclusive facilitation practices, and practical strategic thinking. Our approach emphasizes evidence and learning while recognizing that effective decisions are shaped by context, values, and the perspectives of those involved. Across projects, we prioritize clarity, integrity, and respect for the complexity of public-sector and nonprofit work.

Our Services

Across our work, we focus on connecting evidence, dialogue, and decision-making to help organizations find common ground and move forward with shared direction.

  • We help organizations turn diverse perspectives, priorities, and evidence into shared strategic direction. Our planning work supports clarity, alignment, and practical action—especially in complex or changing environments.

    Our approach integrates strategic analysis, performance measurement, and organizational learning to help teams move from insight to implementation.

    Strategic services include:

    • Strategic planning and strategy refresh processes

    • Performance measurement and learning frameworks

    • Operational and implementation planning

    • Theory of change and strategy alignment

  • We believe evaluation should be designed for use. Our work emphasizes utilization-focused evaluation approaches that support learning, decision-making, and practical improvement—not reports that sit on a shelf.

    We partner with organizations to design and conduct evaluations that are rigorous, context-aware, and responsive to stakeholder needs. Our evaluation work is grounded in mixed methods and tailored to the stage, scale, and purpose of each program.

    Evaluation approaches include:

    • Rapid and responsive evaluation

    • Developmental evaluation

    • Process and implementation evaluation

    • Outcome and impact evaluation

    • Mixed methods research and learning reviews

  • We support groups, teams, and coalitions in working through complexity, difference, and uncertainty to find common ground. Our facilitation work helps reduce friction, surface evidence, and build alignment around shared strategic goals.

    We are experienced in facilitating conversations where stakes are high, perspectives differ, and clarity is needed. Our approach respects differences while helping groups identify areas of alignment and develop solutions that are inclusive, workable, and grounded in evidence.

    Facilitation and capacity-building services include:

    • Facilitating cross-sector and multi-stakeholder coalitions

    • Supporting alignment around a shared strategic vision

    • Helping groups reduce friction and frustration in decision-making

    • Connecting research, evidence, and lived experience

    • Bridging research and practical implementation

    • Supporting evidence-driven strategy development across diverse partners

Contact Us

For inquiries about our work or potential engagements, please reach out using the form.