Istanbul is one of my favorite cities, so I was thrilled to be asked to provide a fundraising training to local grantees of a global foundation. During the trip, I took time to go hang gliding in the beautiful seaside town of Kas, on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast. My tandem partner that day was an ex-Turkish Air Force pilot named “Whiskey.”

Preferred Consultant

  • W.K. Kellogg Foundation

  • Tides Foundation

  • Ashoka: U.S. & International

Successful Partnerships

  • Habitat for Humanity – New York City

  • Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – San Francisco

  • Asia Foundation’s Give2Asia – International

  • National Philanthropic Trust (NPT) – International

  • The Tech Museum of Innovation – National

  • International Organization for Adolescents – International

  • The Feminist Press – National

  • End Child Prostitution & Trafficking – National

  • The Pathway Home – National

  • Unstoppable Foundation – International

  • Marine Conservation Institute – International

  • The Birthing Project – National

  • Upwardly Global – National

  • Mifumi, Uganda – International

  • Open Africa, South Africa – International

Strategic Consulting

Our consulting practice provides strategic advisory services for organizations looking to leverage proven business development strategies within the nonprofit & education arenas. We focus on helping organizations that have reached a plateau make it to the next level of organizational growth. Core to our approach is an emphasis on scalability—both in terms of increasing assets, as well as national and international business expansion. 


Institutional Advancement

HumanKind forms long-term working relationships with our philanthropic partners. Not only do we provide in-depth strategic plans, but also tactical implementation plans and hands-on coaching to ensure that the approved plan is executed to its fullest potential. Through a limited number of engagements, we work with our partners to create strategic plans targeting:

  • Fundraising & Business Development

  • Branding & Communications

  • Board Evolution Strategies & Coaching

Social Impact Expertise

As a recognized social entrepreneur, HumanKind’s founder Erin Michelson, has a deep understanding of the philanthropic space gained through real-world experience founding and running a successful nonprofit organization, serving as a Board of Director, working on the business side of philanthropy within the corporate world, and retained by leading global foundations to assist grantees. 

International Scope

HumanKind has extensive international experience working with global organizations. In-country experience in Africa, Asia, Central America, Europe, and the Middle East ensures our consulting advice and workshops accurately reflect the cultural nuances of global audiences.