Our services,
and what each one costs.
You can't build the right thing until you can see what's happening, so our work moves in one direction: diagnose, then build, then sustain. We take on a limited number of engagements each year, and every price below includes its payment terms.
Clarity Session
For founders, executive directors, and operators who know something is wrong but can't yet articulate it.
The full fee is credited toward a Systems Diagnostic or Build booked within six months.
- A 30-minute intake and tension mapping before the session
- A 2.5-hour live diagnostic, recorded
- A written analysis and prioritized roadmap within a week, including what not to do yet
- 30 days of email support
Systems Diagnostic
For leadership teams that disagree on priorities, organizations in transition, and anyone about to make a systems investment of $15,000 or more.
You can use the roadmap whether you build with us or with someone else.
- Up to five stakeholder interviews
- Current-state and future-state mapping
- A four-hour facilitated alignment session
- An automation and AI leverage map
- A labor model by role, with cost estimates
- A phased roadmap and a build-or-buy framework
- A 90-minute leadership presentation and a 30-day check-in
Build
For organizations ready to build, usually after a Diagnostic. Some organizations arrive with their diagnosis done, and we can start from there.
- Architecture, facilitation, and quality control led by us
- Delivery with a network of builders we bring in as each project needs
- Airtable, Make.com, and AI integration as the work requires
- Phased delivery with regular visibility
- Training at every milestone, with written procedures and video
- 30 to 60 days of post-launch support
Capacity Cohort
For foundations, service organizations, associations, and festivals that want to fund capacity for six to ten organizations they support.
- A three-hour group kickoff
- A 90-minute Clarity Session and a two-page roadmap for each organization
- A shared library of operating templates
- Two group office hours
- A closing report for the funder: bottlenecks, readiness, and what to fund next
What a Clarity Session feels like.
Michael was thoughtful, well prepared, and reflective without being prescriptive or rigid. I loved how he understood both the big picture and the practical issues. Talking to him felt like having the allied intelligence of a highly experienced person without the ego that sometimes comes with working with specialists. He listened, was thoughtful, and lived in the moment. These practices reflect someone who really knows their field.Ixchel Tōnantzin Xōchitlzihuatl · Founder, Xi'im Ek Balam
Ongoing partnerships for existing clients.
Available to organizations that have completed at least one engagement with us. Billed monthly, with 30 days' notice to cancel.
A monthly 90-minute optimization session, priority support within 48 hours, quarterly audits, automation and AI tuning, and training for new staff.
Everything in Stewardship, plus active buildout, workflow design for new initiatives, vendor evaluation, and bi-weekly strategy check-ins.
Sixty minutes live, with written notes within 48 hours and full context from your engagement. Sold as a block of four for $1,500, to use over six months.
Payment terms, in one place.
100% at booking, or two payments. Non-refundable once the session has run.
50% to start, 50% at delivery.
40% at kickoff, 30% at midpoint, 30% at completion.
50% at contract, 50% at kickoff.
Monthly via Stripe, with 30 days' notice to cancel.
Diagnostics and Builds can be cancelled with 30 days' notice and a prorated refund.
Prices are fixed. Payment terms are flexible.
- Payment plans
Any engagement of $5,000 or more can be paid in three monthly installments, with no interest and no discount for paying up front.
- First-engagement credit
A Clarity Session fee is credited in full toward a Diagnostic or Build booked within six months.
- Grant-funded engagements
When a funder is paying part of the fee, we invoice the funder's share at contract and put the organization's share on a payment plan.
- If the budget isn't there
Ask us about the Capacity Cohort. It exists so that the people who fund you can pay for this work on your behalf.
Questions we hear often.
Which service do we need?
Start with a free call. Founders and small teams usually begin with a Clarity Session, and institutions and leadership teams usually begin with a Systems Diagnostic. We'll tell you which one fits.
Can we skip straight to a Build?
Sometimes. If your organization has already done its diagnostic work and can show us the requirements, we can start from there. If not, we recommend a Diagnostic first, because builds that skip it tend to fail or burn out the team.
What about AI?
We use AI inside every engagement where it creates real leverage, and it's never the reason to hire us. The Diagnostic includes an automation and AI leverage map, and Builds use AI where it belongs. Read how we handle AI and your data.
Do you work remotely or in person?
Most of our work is remote, and we're always open to working in person. Facilitated sessions and workshops are often better in the room. Travel costs apply outside Los Angeles.
How soon can we start?
Clarity Sessions usually start within one to two weeks, and Diagnostics and Builds within two to four. If we're at capacity, we'll tell you up front.
What if it doesn't work?
If you're not satisfied after a Clarity Session, we'll talk about why and make it right. Longer engagements have check-ins at each milestone, and if we're off track we correct course or stop.
Start with a free 30-minute call.
Tell us what's happening in your organization. We'll tell you where we would start and whether we're the right people to help.