Introducing GNE Connections: Strengthening Leadership, Systems, & Impact for Nonprofits
Leading a nonprofit today takes more than heart — it takes structure, clarity, and a team that can move from vision to execution without burning out along the way. Between rising community needs, evolving funder expectations, and growing operational demands, even the strongest organizations can feel stretched thin.
That’s why Grants New England created GNE Connections — a collaborative service designed to help nonprofits strengthen the people, systems, and strategies behind their mission. It’s about building sustainable success from the inside out.
Why We Built GNE Connections
Funding is essential — but it’s only one piece of the puzzle.
Real impact happens when leadership, governance, systems, and communications work in harmony.
GNE Connections helps nonprofit teams create that alignment — combining strategic support and practical execution so you can stabilize, scale, and sustain your mission with confidence.
What We Offer
GNE Connections is not another consulting package. It’s a partnership.
Our team works alongside you to assess, strengthen, and elevate the way your organization operates day to day.
We focus on five key areas that drive capacity and clarity:
- Leadership Support & Interim Capacity: Fractional executive leadership and coaching to help your team regroup, build capacity, and avoid burnout.
- Board & Governance Development: Retreats, assessments, and charter reviews that foster clarity, trust, and accountability.
- Systems & Operations Alignment: Process and workflow audits (CRM, finance, communications) to streamline operations and improve data integrity.
- Brand & Communications Strategy: Clear messaging, donor journey mapping, and visibility strategies that inspire trust and connection.
- Financial Strategy & Revenue Diversification: Modeling and planning that bring stability to your budgets and reduce last-minute funding pressure.
Each engagement is customized — from a board retreat to a full organizational alignment — and always includes tangible deliverables, training, and transition plans so your team can sustain success long after our work together ends.
Who We Are
The GNE Connections team brings together decades of experience across nonprofit leadership, brand strategy, systems, and operations — and a shared belief that meaningful impact starts with strong internal foundations.
- Phil Auger – CEO & Lead Grants Consultant, Grants New England
With over 20 years of leadership experience in public education and nonprofit governance, Phil helps organizations align strategy, operations, and funding priorities to achieve measurable impact. - Tuni Schartner – Founder, Tuni Schartner Consulting LLC
A growth strategist, brand expert, and community builder, Tuni has helped dozens of Rhode Island nonprofits strengthen their leadership, systems, and communications to grow with purpose. - Mike Zucker – Managing Partner, BizNav Partners
An accomplished entrepreneur and systems thinker, Mike brings deep expertise in process design, data analysis, and organizational efficiency — turning complexity into clear, actionable steps.
Together, we take a collaborative, adaptive approach — combining big-picture strategy with hands-on implementation to help your organization run smoother, lead stronger, and grow smarter.
Why It Matters
Funders and communities are looking for organizations that pair mission with management — that not only do great work, but can show how and why it works.
By investing in the how of your operations — leadership, systems, and structure — you build the foundation for greater impact, stability, and growth. GNE Connections helps you do exactly that.
Let’s Build What’s Next — Together
If you’ve ever found yourself thinking:
“We can’t keep operating this way.”
“We’ve outgrown our systems.”
“We need a stronger foundation to keep growing.”
You’re not alone — and that’s where we come in.
Let’s talk about how GNE Connections can help your organization align, strengthen, and thrive — from the inside out.
Learn more or schedule a conversation at Grants New England
