Courtney Smith
Senior Project Manager
Benefactor Group is honored to celebrate 25 years serving those who serve the common good. This milestone isn’t just about our journey—it’s about recognizing 25 years of philanthropic successes and the transformative impact those successes have had on people and causes around the world. Together, we fuel causes with powerful fundraising, people, and systems, and we look forward to continuing this work for many years to come.
The Power of Good Project Management
Good project management turns ambitious ideas into results. It is both an art and a science. The science provides structure through tools, proven methodologies, and data-driven processes, ensuring projects run smoothly and efficiently. The art addresses the human element, fostering collaboration, creativity, and adaptability. Together, they create a balanced approach that drives success. As one client said, “three words describe the process: efficient, effective, successful.”
Central to this is the project manager, the unsung hero of every partnership. As one executive put it, “The PM has the most important job here. We can all sit around and think big thoughts, but without them nothing actually gets done.”
The Essentials of PM: Communication, Accountability, and Flexibility
Three pillars form the foundation of effective project management: communication, accountability, and flexibility. Clear communication fosters alignment and trust, ensuring team members and stakeholders remain focused and informed. Accountability drives progress by holding individuals responsible for delivering results. Flexibility allows project managers to adapt swiftly to changing circumstances while staying true to project goals.
The Road to Results
The story of project management at Benefactor Group begins with Principal Steve Beshuk, who joined the firm in 2015. A certified Professional of Project Management, Steve brought with him a passion for process and technology, laying the foundation to integrate project management into client engagements and internal
By 2020, Benefactor Group deepened our investment by hiring our first dedicated project manager—yours truly—recognizing the transformative impact this role could have on our work. We honed our methodology and formalized our systems. When the pandemic hit, even the best laid plans were disrupted, prompting us to adopt a more agile, iterative approach. We focused on shorter-term goals, continually assessing progress, considering changing demands, and redefining our strategies to meet the moment. The demand for this specialized role only increased. After 25 years of serving those who serve the common good, this reinvigorated our work threaded a throughline of project management expertise among all of Benefactor Group’s services.
Today, our thriving team of six project managers support our partners in all sectors, embodying the discipline required for effective execution. We leverage technology while understanding, at its core, PM is not about fancy tools—it’s about focus, clarity, and follow-through. Clients have shared their appreciation, saying, “I have never witnessed more masterful project management. We’re grateful to have them lead us and model what great project management and support looks like. Truly a level above!”
Impact on Nonprofit Clients
While we’ve grown reliant on PM to get things done, our commitment to enhancing our practices is driven by our dedication to serving our clients. We strive to turn overwhelming “to-do” lists into “to-done” results. We understand that our nonprofit partners are pulled in many directions, though they’ve made a conscious decision to invest in the work. Clients often express appreciation for our ‘constant, gentle pressure’, with one noting, “whenever I see our PM in the room, I know I’m going to get a homework assignment. I need that!”
There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing our clients embrace our project management culture and recognize its value as an investment in their future. By conducting tailored assessments, we’ve been privileged to help them establish their own project management offices—empowering organizations to build internal capacity and sustain long-term success. This takes them one step further in fulfilling their missions and creating lasting change within their communities.
Conclusion
The evolution of project management at Benefactor Group reflects its value as both a practice and a mindset. You’ll find ‘execution’ nestled between ‘aspiration’ and ‘result’ in the dictionary—and to execute is a PM’s sole objective. Ready to experience the difference our project management can make on your fundraising, search, or systems initiative? Contact us today to learn more about our services.
