About CRE

Our Mission

CRE is a nonprofit consulting firm that provides the strategies and tools needed to build sustainable, high-performing organizations that improve people’s lives and drive social change. We partner with nonprofits, foundations, and government agencies to set ambitious goals for success – and then we help them get there. Together, we work to reduce poverty, promote equity, and increase opportunity.

As a nonprofit ourselves, we believe that social sector organizations deserve accessible solutions to the challenges they face. Our diverse team of expert consultants provide customized strategies that blend deep consulting experience and operational expertise to help leaders succeed in an environment of complexity and change. We tap the transformative power of assessment, data, strategy, leadership, and collaboration to help organizations plan smartly, operate effectively, and produce results.

Our Theory of Change

CRE provides capacity building and consulting services that focus on the foundations of organizational success: engaged leadership, high performing staff, financial stability, effective programs, and a culture of learning and continuous improvement. When organizations are clear about their social value, deliver high quality work, and can sustain their results over time, they are stronger and more effective in achieving their goals.

History

CRE has been partnering with organizations working to drive social change since Fran Barrett founded the organization in 1979. Back then, we served community based organizations by helping them exchange resources and build stronger foundations to better serve their communities. Today we are privileged to work with nearly 400 organizations annually, large and small, working to create opportunity and catalyze change.