Cindy Grubenhoff

Cindy Grubenhoff (she/her) is the founder and owner of In the Know, LLC where she believes nonprofits are undeniably vital to our community.

She collaborates with organizations in a coaching relationship to help them be clear, confident, and strategic in all their fundraising and planning efforts. She has been working and volunteering in the nonprofit sector for over 30 years and especially enjoys fundraising strategy coaching, board development training, and empowering nonprofit leaders.

Learn more about Cindy at In the Know LLC.

Kristy Koken

Kristy Koken (she/her) is a communications strategist with 18 years of leadership experience in strategic communications, development communications, marketing, crisis management, media relations, news media, public relations, and digital media.

Kristy specializes in the development of strategic communications that enable clients to effectively roll out complex initiatives, campaigns and priorities to key audiences. She supports leaders and organizations in generating compelling narratives around their work and to build and strengthen trust and connection with their communities.

Learn more about Kristy here.

About The Binsfrahm Group

The Binsfrahm Group is a consulting and strategy firm with the big idea that we can reinvent business to work for people. By investing in people, organizations can create a work environment that attracts and retains talented team members. Through reimagining processes and systems, companies will prepare for the future..

About Madeleine Binsfrahm, Our Founder

Hi! I’m Madeleine Binsfrahm, Owner and Senior Consultant for The Binsfrahm Group. I love helping nonprofits build their fundraising strategy! I also have a passion for supporting businesses define and understand their profitability and growth potential.

My career path has allowed me to explore many facets of how organizations work, the process of culture change, effective strategic planning, building sustainable fundraising programs, and more. I enjoy working with clients to identify their challenge areas and create customized solutions. I feel successful when I see my clients grow!

Some of the ways I help organizations:

  • Collaborating with nonprofits to build a fundraising plan that works.

  • Working with nonprofit leadership to assess development department current and future staffing needs.

  • Partnering with businesses to develop a growth strategy, complete with budgets and profitability forecasts.

  • And more!

With an M.A. in Management and over 12 years in leadership positions, I have studied and practiced the principles of organizational behavior and organizational development. I ground my work in an inquiry-based and collaborative approach. I believe in thoughtful listening to understand the values, power, and culture held within an organization’s system.

I’d love to chat with you and learn why you’re passionate about your work. Send me a message and let’s connect!

Frequent Collaborators

Tara Friedman

Tara Friedman (she/her) is the Senior Consultant and owner of Forging New Trails and believes in the transformational impact of philanthropy.

With over twenty years of experience in securing major gifts, she coaches leaders and development teams to connect with generous change-makers and inspire deep investment in their mission. Tara serves as guide - tackling the technical terrain of structuring a successful development team; finding the way through a thick forest to focus on the highest potential for major gifts; and inspiring courageous communication to get back on path and deepen support.

Learn more about Tara at Forging New Trails.

Francoise Umutoniwase

Francoise Umutoniwase (she/her) is a dedicated fundraising consultant, and she believes that the power to create transformative impact begins with the stories, resilience, and hidden knowledge found within Nonprofits. 

With 5 years of continuous experience as an emerging international fundraiser, she collaborates closely with organizations to develop and strengthen their fundraising efforts, ensuring they are poised to make a lasting difference. 

Learn more about Fran here.

Our Commitment to DEI

Why equity matters to all of us.

When someone expresses reluctance around incorporating racial equity into the workplace, I like to share the story of the curb-cut effect. The whole story can be found here, but the short version is that curb cuts in sidewalks weren’t standard for a long time. Disability advocates wanted mobility and fought to change the way we build cities and sidewalks.

The incredible ripple effect is that everyone benefited from the curb cuts. From the parent pushing a stroller to the business traveler wheeling their suitcase to an older adult navigating a street crossing. What so many originally viewed as benefiting one group of people turned out to benefit all.

That’s how I view racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and other forms of bias that show up in every corner of our work and our lives. Only through greater diversity, equity, and inclusion will we be able to create a brighter future for all.

What are some ways this shows up in our work?

  • A commitment to Community Centric Fundraising principles and activities.

  • Open conversations with clients and colleagues about racism and bias.

  • Working with people of color, women, persons with disabilities, people who identify as LBGTQ+ and those who are at the intersections of these identities.

Together, we will create a world that values diversity, promotes an inclusive culture, and establishes a profound sense of belonging for each member in our community.