Who We Serve

The following examples illustrate how Tandem works with a variety of clients. Many of these clients retained Tandem for an initial assignment, then renewed the relationship for follow-on activities.

Verizon Foundation/JPMorgan Chase Foundation – Tandem conducted a comprehensive corporate philanthropy benchmarking survey of 37 companies for the Verizon and JPMorgan Chase Foundations to assist them in measuring their programs against peer companies, identifying best practices and planning for future program development. The 200-question, online survey, together with one-on-one telephone interviews with participating companies, provided in-depth information on corporate and foundation giving, the grantmaking process, evaluations and assessments, matching gifts, volunteerism, scholarship programs, disaster relief, sponsorships, marketing and communications, and corporate social responsibility. In addition to data collected from companies drawn from the Dow 30, Fortune Top 50, and The Conference Board, the benchmarking project also included input from a smaller sample of private foundations.

Bank of America Foundation – Following Bank of America’s acquisition of MBNA, Tandem Consulting provided BofA with an analysis of the structural design of corporate/foundation operations and associated administration costs at selected companies. The analysis also included the size and scope of operations, staffing, matching gifts administration and international grantmaking activities. BofA also was provided with insights into signature program development and an analysis of best practice.

In a follow-on assignment, Tandem conducted a benchmarking survey of international matching gifts practices among peer companies to facilitate Bank of America Foundation’s entry into global grantmaking.

Sabre Holdings, Inc. – Working with the Community Relations staff at Sabre Holdings, Tandem Consulting conducted an assessment of the company’s overall corporate giving and community relations and made recommendations for a more strategic and integrated global grantmaking program.

Tandem also advised Sabre on the start-up of a corporate foundation including the role of the foundation relative to corporate and operating group activities, funding based on benchmarks, composition of the board of directors, programming focus areas, organization and staffing, policies and procedures, and funding guidelines.

United Technologies Corporation – Tandem Consulting facilitated a corporate-wide community affairs and philanthropy task force at UTC to create a unified strategic plan for its corporate and 10 business unit programs that would increase efficiencies, add value for the UTC business through enhanced reputation and closer customer relationships, build brand values, and increase visibility locally, nationally, and internationally. The assessment review also included administrative operations, program focus areas, employee fulfillment and satisfaction through directed giving and volunteerism, communications strategies and measurements for success. 

Tandem advised UTC on best practices for strategic philanthropy and organizational models for structuring accordingly. Tandem led the task force through an assessment and mapping of its corporate and subsidiary programs, as well as its B2B customers’ areas of philanthropic interests. 

American Express Foundation – Tandem Consulting advised the American Express Foundation on the development of signature program concepts and platforms for a possible new grant-making area. Tandem conducted an environmental scan of companies, foundations and non-profit organizations engaged in international grant-making and identified potential non-profit partners and emerging initiatives for American Express.

DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund – Tandem conducted research and wrote a white paper for the DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund on structuring corporate social investing across business lines. This work was designed to provide background to the Fund’s board of directors to inform their decisions about how best to integrate the corporate social investing programs of the operating subsidiaries in North America with those of the Fund.

WellPoint Foundation – Upon WellPoint Health Networks’ creation of the WellPoint Foundation, Tandem Consulting advised the Foundation on the establishment of a strategic framework for a social investment program, including a review of existing programs and potential external partnerships, positioning of community relations activities within the WellPoint organization, development of signature programs, and staffing.

Americans for the Arts – The country's pre-eminent arts advocacy group retained Tandem Consulting to assist in developing a strategic plan and action agenda that would increase the effectiveness of the organization's National Policy Board, increase its operating efficiency, identify convening/forum topics and issues, and attract influential leaders to membership.

Theater of the Stars – In conjunction with its 50th anniversary, Theater of the Stars engaged Tandem Consulting to facilitate a long-range strategic planning process for its Board of Directors to guide the organization forward. Tandem broadened the planning group to include a cross-section of influential arts, business and civic leaders. The result was an expanded vision for Theater of the Stars, which included a major role for the organization in developing new musical theater works and in providing professional education, as well as the creation of a new facility where musical theater productions can be incubated, tested and refined.

After board approval of the new concept, Theater of the Stars re-engaged Tandem Consulting to coordinate the continued planning and implementation of the next phases of the organization’s new vision. Included in Tandem’s work were a key-contact communications strategy to inform and build support among influential community leaders and potential donors, communications tools, exploration of possible building sites and potential development partners for the new facility, and board evaluation and development.

Colorado Council on the Arts – Tandem Consulting facilitated a statewide task force to examine the role of CCA, envision ways to provide maximum public value, and recommend a new model for consideration by the CCA Board, the Governor and the General Assembly. The resulting report and set of recommendations, many of which are being implemented, outlined a new vision for advancing and managing Colorado’s cultural development.

Gore Range Natural Science School (GRNSS) – Tandem’s consultants advised this Colorado-based environmental education nonprofit on various aspects of its resource development, including increasing capacity for its annual and capital fund-raising campaigns; strengthening its board of directors, their orientation and training, and their giving; and establishing an advisory council. Tandem guided GRNSS in developing its strategic plan, making governance improvements, and bringing about organizational effectiveness.

Tandem also provided strategic marketing and communication services, and advised the organization on policy development.

In addition to their contributions of pro bono services, Tandem consultants served the organization as board members and were actively engaged in board leadership positions and on development, capital campaign planning, marketing, governance, and facilities planning committees.

BlueCross BlueShield Charitable Giving/Foundation WorkGroup – As the association of independent BlueCross BlueShield companies/plans initiated an approach to share best practices and to network among peers, Tandem Consulting facilitated the inaugural “Meeting of the Blues” to explore how to build foundations from the ground up, how to manage charitable giving funds, how to evaluate programs, and how to collaborate and leverage the power of the brand. As a follow-on, Tandem Consulting, in collaboration with The Contributions Academy, conducted a second conference focused on cutting-edge issues and trends, corporate social investing techniques, strategic and competitive positioning, and creating practical management improvement plans for the “Blues” funding programs. 

Sanofi-Aventis – As part of a staff development and team building strategy, Tandem Consulting conducted a workshop for the Sanofi-Aventis Corporate Relations Department. The workshop focused on grantmaking fundamentals and the professional development/roles of the corporate grantmaking team.

In a follow-on assignment, Tandem assessed year-end accomplishments of Corporate Relations and assisted in setting strategic goals for the next fiscal year

King Baudouin Foundation U.S. – To strengthen and expand U.S. corporate partnerships through its donor-directed grants and funds, KBFUS asked Tandem to assess and evaluate the need for the foundation's services by companies with interests in Europe. After confirming the need, Tandem recommended ways for the foundation to better position and communicate its services  to potential corporate partners. In addition, Tandem worked collaboratively with KBFUS to facilitate dialogues with prospective partners and to increase the visibility of the foundation in the U.S.

In follow-on assignments, Tandem facilitated KBFUS’ outreach to corporate community relations and contributions program managers to further expose the work of the foundation. Tandem also conducted a feasibility study to assess corporate interest in a European site visit program and workshop. Tandem subsequently helped organize three site visits, prepare the agenda, and select the corporate participants.

Eurasia and Hewlett Foundations – Tandem Consulting, in association with another consultant, conducted a two-day workshop in Moscow on “Corporate Social Investments:  Strategy and Management” for 15 Russian businesses. The professional development training was designed to help accelerate the Russian trend toward social investment initiatives with a focus on corporate strategic philanthropy.

The clients profiled were selected from a growing list of corporate organizations and nonprofit agencies that have sought Tandem Consulting’s expertise. In addition, Tandem's partners have coached and advised numerous companies, foundations and nonprofit organizations through their teaching and other activities. For a list of organizations that have been advised by, and/or worked with, Tandem’s partners, click here.