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PLAN A ADVISORS
Planning for nonprofits and philanthropy
Our Philosophy
No two organizations, no two institutions, no two foundations and no two businesses are ever exactly alike. No two planning processes should be, either.
Plan A was founded by Evan Kingsley and Adam Gaynor as a new kind of consulting practice to design and facilitate highly individualized approaches to the unique needs of our clients, their audiences, their leadership, and their financial and organizational platforms.
For nonprofits, for business and in philanthropy, limited resources and heightened accountability are the new normal. Designing effective and efficient pathways to setting and meeting compelling goals is what governing bodies, organizational leadership and funders demand.
That’s why clients hire Plan A: to get it right… the first time.
VISION
We begin by asking: What are your aspirations? And we help our clients to arrive at an answer through conversations, research and exercises that build consensus around a shared vision.
PLANNING
We design and facilitate a rigorous and inclusive process to develop compelling plans built around goals, objectives and tactics that are measurable and realistic.
LEADERSHIP
We work with our clients to ensure that committed and effective professional and lay leadership is in place to successfully deliver on the promise of any planning process.
RESOURCES
Adequate capital and a means for securing it are central to plan fulfillment, so we ask tough questions and assist in developing funding plans as part of any engagement.
PARTNERSHIP
Going it alone may get you there faster, but going it together gets you farther; we believe in the value that partners bring to realizing a vision, and having impact.
For Clients Subject to Accreditation
For clients in accredited sectors (e.g. higher education, museums) subject to oversight (e.g. Middle State Commission on Higher Education, American Alliance of Museums), Plan A processes and products are expressly designed to meet accreditation requirements.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
PRINCIPALS
Evan Kingsley and Adam Gaynor formed Plan A in 2013. Together they have more than 40 years of experience in nonprofits, social enterprises, philanthropy, and organizational development across the widest range of organizations, institutions and philanthropies.
Evan M. Kingsley
Partner
Evan M. Kingsley has three decades of experience in leadership roles in the nonprofit sector. He advises a wide range of institutions, organizations, agencies and philanthropies on their strategic direction and has deep experience in museums and libraries, education and independent schools, parks and open space, and social and human service agencies. Mr. Kingsley works closely with clients on long-range and business plans, campaigns and fundraising strategy, board composition and function, and strategic partnerships and mergers. Mr. Kingsley formed Plan A Advisors with Adam Gaynor in 2013. He is a former president of The Whelan Group, a firm focused on fundraising, planning and organizational development in New York where his clients included major museums, colleges, and human service agencies. He was previously executive director of the American Jewish Historical Society and a deputy director of the International Center of Photography in Manhattan and of Brooklyn Public Library. He was also president of the Brooklyn Public Library Foundation. Earlier career positions were at The New Museum, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and the Prospect Park Alliance. Mr. Kingsley earned a BA in Art History from Columbia University, an MA in American Civilization from NYU, and an MBA from Baruch College with a concentration in Management. He has served on numerous nonprofit boards.
Adam Gaynor
Partner
Adam R. Gaynor advises a wide range of institutions, organizations, agencies and philanthropies on their strategic direction and has deep experience in higher education and independent schools, social and human service agencies, faith- based organizations and philanthropies. Mr. Gaynor works closely with clients on long-range and business plans, campaigns and fundraising strategy, board composition and function, and strategic partnerships and mergers. Mr. Gaynor formed Plan A Advisors with Evan Kingsley in 2013 from The Whelan Group, a Manhattan consulting practice. Mr. Gaynor was previously Executive Director of The Curriculum Initiative, a national program that worked with over 240 prominent independent schools. He has served in a range of nonprofit leadership positions including Assistant Director of the Bronfman Center at NYU, social work consultant with The Educational Alliance on school-based programs, Program Director at the Jewish Agency's Department of Education in Jerusalem, and Director of Multicultural Affairs at Bates College. Mr. Gaynor earned a BA in Women’s Studies from Bates College, an MS in Social Work from Columbia University, and an MA in Jewish Studies from the Jewish Theological Seminary. Mr. Gaynor is completing a Ph.D. in Education and Jewish Studies at NYU. He was a Scholar-in-Residence at NYU School of Law in 2011-12.