What We Do

Second Mountain Strategies is a strategy and systems advisory firm focused on helping leaders design, implement, and scale solutions that expand economic opportunity. We bridge the gap between high-level policy goals and the realities communities face, ensuring that ideas translate into action, and action into lasting impact.

  • Strategic Advising and Special Projects

    We work with governments leaders, change-making organizations, and social entrepreneurs to craft actionable plans that make an impact. Whether you are a non-profit leader or a policymaker, we help leverage today’s fragmented funding landscape to turn an idea into a reality. We employ a systems-based approach to help you convene partners, set ambitious goals, and plan for sustainability.

  • Policy Research, Analysis and Writing

    We help organizations succeed in the changing political landscape by unveiling the latest trends in policy and translating complex ideas into accessible resources. We offer customized research products on national best practices, state and local policy, and emerging topics in social innovation.

  • Coalition Building and Facilitation

    We know the best solutions start with the right questions and can live or die with the right kind of leadership. We draw on lessons from successful collaborative ecosystems and leverage design-thinking and Appreciative Inquiry (AI) techniques to examine your shared vision, facilitate cross-sector conversations, and support coordination for better resource allocation.

  • Outreach and Stakeholder Engagement

    We understand that gathering good data starts with going straight to the source. That is why we help innovators, problem solvers, and visionaries design policies and programs informed directly by the communities they serve. We can help you design a plan to meaningfully engage and gather insights from your stakeholders through every step of the policy and program development process.

  • Resource Planning and Procurement

    We know how important staying true to your mission is when it comes to resourcing your next project. We leverage our in-depth knowledge of government and non-governmental grant making to craft a best-in-class procurement strategy. We help you target potential partners, develop a timeline, communicate consistent success to your funders, navigate the federal grant-making process, and more.

  • Advocacy and Government Affairs

    We help you maximize your impact by defining your policy goals, navigating the policymaking process, and finding common ground on today’s most pressing issues. We leverage over a decade in federal and state policymaking to help you craft winning strategies designed for your unique audiences and constituencies.

Who We Work With

We partner with government agencies, nonprofits, and philanthropic leaders to design and scale programs that deliver measurable impact. Our work includes building cross-sector coalitions, aligning state and local systems, and developing strategic roadmaps that turn bold policy goals into durable, community-rooted solutions. With a focus on equity, innovation, and execution, we help mission-driven leaders move from vision to action—at scale.