Association of Consultants to Nonprofits

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Cathy Yen

The Nonprofit Planner Company

Member profile details

First Name

Cathy

Last Name

Yen

Organization

The Nonprofit Planner Company

Title

Founder and CEO

cathy@thenonprofitplanner.com

Phone

7082054766

Address Line 1

917 W. Washington Blvd.

Address Line 2

#260

City

Chicago

County

Cook

State/Province

Zip Code

60607

Headshot

Website / Social Platforms

Website

https://www.thenonprofitplanner.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathy-yen-oak-park-il/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/nonprofitplanner/

Blog

https://thenonprofitplanner.substack.com/

Organization Profile

Organization Overview

The Nonprofit Planner works with nonprofit leaders and organizations at a critical point of transition—when programs are strong, impact is clear, and the next challenge is building the leadership, systems, and structure needed to sustain and scale the work.

Grounded in the 6+4 System for Nonprofit Management, our work helps organizations move from program-centric operations to well-aligned institutions. We focus on strengthening leadership capacity, clarifying strategy, and building the organizational infrastructure that allows mission, culture, and operations to reinforce one another rather than compete for attention.

Engagements often include strategic and business planning, organizational development, leadership and management capacity-building, and facilitated working sessions with staff, boards, and cross-functional teams. Across all of this work, culture is treated not as an abstract value, but as a practical operating condition shaped by decisions, structures, and leadership behaviors.

The Nonprofit Planner works as a consulting partner, facilitator, and speaker, supporting organizations ranging from grassroots and community-based nonprofits to regional and national networks.

Organization Logo

Services

The Nonprofit Planner supports nonprofit leaders and organizations in building the structure, leadership capacity, and strategic clarity required to move from strong programs to sustainable institutions.

Services commonly include:

* Strategic and business planning grounded in organizational readiness and long-term sustainability

* Organizational development and operational design to support growth, alignment, and execution

* Leadership and management capacity-building for executive teams, managers, and emerging leaders

* Planning and facilitation for boards and cross-functional teams navigating growth, change, or transition

* Framework-based workshops, retreats, and convenings focused on strategy, culture, and execution

While each engagement is tailored, all services are informed by the 6+4 System for Nonprofit Management, ensuring that strategy, leadership, culture, and operations are aligned and mutually reinforcing.

Practice Areas (select top 3)

Leadership and Professional Development
Organizational Development
Strategic planning

Client List

National & Regional Organizations
- Laureus USA
- Sport for Good Chicago Coalition
- Beat the Streets Chicago
- Beat the Streets New York (speaking/workshops)

Youth & Community-Based Organizations
- ABC Pilsen
- Endless Energy
- North Lawndale Eagles
- PeaceRunners773
- Project sWish
- That Harper Kid
- The Investment Mentoring
- Urban Impact Center

Associations & Professional Networks
- Association Forum (speaking/workshops)
- Association of Leadership Professionals (speaking/workshops)
- Oak Park–River Forest Chamber of Commerce, Nonprofit Affinity Group (speaking/workshops)
- Illinois CPA Society (upcoming keynote)

Arts, Education & Leadership Organizations
- Dragons Dance
- Community Connections Fund

Publications & Articles

Article 1

The 6+4 System for Nonprofit Management: A Practical Guide to Building a Sustainable, Effective Organization

URL for Article 1

https://a.co/d/iCQKERR

Article 2

Your Plan to Change the World Needs a Plan

URL for Article 2

https://thenonprofitplanner.substack.com/p/your-plan-to-change-the-world-needs

Article 3

Leadership vs Management: Why You Need Both

URL for Article 3

https://thenonprofitplanner.substack.com/p/leadership-vs-management-why-you

Speaker's Bureau Information

Speaker Bio

Cathy Yen is the Founder and Chief Strategist of The Nonprofit Planner and the creator of the 6+4 System for Nonprofit Management, a practical framework designed to help nonprofit organizations build the leadership, strategy, and operational structure needed to sustain and scale their impact.

A former nonprofit executive director and board leader, Cathy brings deep, firsthand experience navigating the challenges organizations face as they grow—from strengthening leadership capacity and aligning strategy to formalizing systems without losing mission or culture. Her work sits at the intersection of leadership, organizational development, and strategic planning, with culture treated as a critical operating condition rather than an abstract value.

Cathy is a sought-after speaker and facilitator for associations, nonprofits, and sector convenings, known for translating complex organizational challenges into clear, actionable frameworks. Her talks blend strategic insight, practical application, and real-world experience, equipping nonprofit leaders with the tools and perspective needed to lead through growth, change, and increasing complexity.

Topic 1

The Future of Nonprofits: Trends, Risks, and Opportunities

Topic 1 Description

The nonprofit sector is facing rapid change across funding, technology, workforce expectations, and public trust. This talk examines the most significant trends shaping the future of nonprofits, the risks leaders must actively manage, and the strategic opportunities organizations can leverage to adapt, strengthen, and sustain their impact.

Topic 2

Leadership vs Management: Why You Need Both

Topic 2 Description

Nonprofits often struggle not because of a lack of vision or effort, but because leadership and management are treated as interchangeable. This talk clarifies the distinct roles each plays—and shows leaders how to recognize when teams need inspiration, when they need structure, and how to intentionally bring both together to drive results.

Topic 3

Building an Organization to Match the Strength of Your Programs

Topic 3 Description

Many nonprofits reach a point where programs are delivering real impact, but leadership systems, decision-making structures, and operations haven’t caught up. This talk focuses on how leaders can build the organizational capacity—across leadership, strategy, and structure—needed to sustain success without losing clarity or culture.

The Association of Consultants to Nonprofits | 400 E. Randolph St., #3115 | Chicago, IL 60601

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