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Services for the Seasoned Builder

We are not here to introduce you to pluralism. We are here because you’re already in it—and you need support that gets what you do. 

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We support funders and organizations already working across difference to:  

  • navigate tradeoffs  

  • resolve values tensions 

  • build strategies that hold under pressure 

  • Turn ideals into operational decisions 

  •  strengthen impact in complex environments 

  • Translate pluralism into funding, programs and partnerships 

SERVICES

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FACILITATION

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Good facilitation can make or break a strategic retreat, convening, or collaborative effort. Cohesion Strategy creates personally warm and logistically smooth gatherings to guide groups productively through decision-making or conflict. Where conflict is present, we surface disagreements with care and attention, so that participants can better understand themselves and their values, ultimately leading to better and more effective collaboration.  We plan and facilitate convenings, conferences, and events for participants from diverse backgrounds and viewpoints.

Prior engagements

Powering Pluralism Network. Co-creation & facilitation. Composed of about 160 scholars and practitioners across seven fields of religious pluralism, this network bridged religious, sectoral, racial, and ideological differences to build relationships and produce scholarship to strengthen each field. 

Strengthening Ecosystems & Building Collective Agency

STRATEGY

Getting strategy right is never “one and done,” it’s an ongoing process of learning and deliberation. Our strategic advising services support your work from idea to implementation and iteration. We work with you understand the challenges, resources, and opportunities in any situation and:  
 

  • Develop Mission, Vision, and Values.  

  • Create Theory of Change and Logic Models.  

  • Tailor strategies for success in a pluralistic world.  

  • Develop partnerships across lines of difference for the common good.  

  • Work through internal value conflicts in complex situations.  

  • Identify mission-aligned funding or grantees. 

 

What we offer
We can be booked as a speaker for public events or serve as an advisor if your organization finds itself in need of special expertise.
We have expertise in religious and ideological pluralism, the intersection of religion and philanthropy, bridgebuilding, integrity in complexity, and social cohesion. 
 

Prior engagements

Advising 

  • Partnered with Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement (PACE) and Peace and Security Funders Group (PSFG) to convene funder tables on democracy and social cohesion. 

Speaking 

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RESEARCH

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We revel in research as a tool for effective strategy. With an academic background and experience with nonprofits and funders, we bring academic rigor to practitioner audiences. Our academic research in religious and social difference and belonging and in the nonprofit sector grounds our other research activities while we keep an eye on strategic goals.
 

Where we can help you grow: ​

  • Qualitative Methods: Conduct in-depth interviews and focus groups that surface nuance and lived experience.

  • Quantitative Approaches: Use surveys and structured data collection to capture measurable trends.

  • Mixed-Methods Design: Combine qualitative and quantitative approaches for a holistic view.

  • Assessments & Mapping: Conduct and develop field assessments and mapping, and market research and project reports.

  • Learning Frameworks: Build theories of change and measurement strategies tailored to faith-based and pluralism-focused contexts.

  • Knowledge Translation: Turn complex findings into accessible reports, infographics, and presentations for boards, funders, and wider audiences.

  • Learning Cultures: Help teams embed ongoing reflection and adaptation into their organizational DNA.
     

Cohesion Strategy has partnered in this work with: 

Evaluation

Evaluation is a central component of successful social change efforts. 
We specialize in evaluation work that: 
1) identifies behavior change, and
2) ensures the evaluation is a useful tool to program planners.

We specialize in evaluations that ask not just “how did we do,” but “what happened” so that you can answer “where do we go from here.”  

Cohesion Strategy employs Outcome Harvest evaluations to track behavior and attitude changes influenced by the project and understand real-world impact.

Learn more about Outcome Harvest methods

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Partnerships

Cohesion Strategy knows that desired depth often isn't achieved through one bird's eye... As part of our consultation services, Cohesion Strategy performs robust needs assessment and taps into our flock to adapt services to best fit your needs. 
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Cohesion Strategy LLC partners with nonprofit and philanthropic organizations working toward religious pluralism and social cohesion. Our consulting services include strategy development, facilitation for convenings, evaluation, research, support, and keynote speaking. We are based in Washington, D.C., with clients across the United States.

allison@cohesionstrategy.com

© 2025 Cohesion Strategy LLC

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