ebersmith coaching & consulting
Systems, structure, and support that help nonprofits focus on what matters most
We help nonprofit teams across the country streamline operations, strengthen governance, and make sound decisions with practical systems that work in real life.
What We Do
We help nonprofit teams work more clearly and confidently with practical tools, better systems, and strong alignment between mission and day-to-day work. Our approach blends nationally recognized governance standards with hands-on facilitation and real-world nonprofit experience.
SYSTEMS & OPERATIONS:
Streamline Workflows
Help your team work clearly with processes that reduce friction, cut bottlenecks, and make daily tasks easier to manage.
BOARD DEVELOPMENT:
Strengthen Governance
Support your board with clarity around roles, expectations, and structures that lead to healthier oversight and better leadership.
DECISION-MAKING SUPPORT:
Improve Organizational Clarity
Put simple, practical systems in place so your team can prioritize the right work, make informed decisions, and stay aligned on what matters most.
CAPACITY BUILDING:
Focus on What Matters Most
Reduce staff burnout, reclaim time, and give your team the structure they need to stay focused on the work that actually drives your mission forward.
How We Work
Our work focuses on the practical systems nonprofits needs to run smoothly. Three areas guide the work we do with organizations across the country.
Practical Systems
When the basics run smoothly, your team can focus on the work that actually matters. We help clean up processes, reduce friction, and make daily tasks easier for the people doing them.
Stronger Governance
Good governance shouldn’t be confusing or overwhelming. We help boards understand their role, make informed decisions, and stay aligned with the organization’s mission.
Better Decision-Making
Nonprofit decisions are often made under pressure and with limited time. We help organizations create systems that support clear priorities, transparent choices, and consistent follow-through.
About Us
We help nonprofit teams work more clearly and confidently. Our focus is practical: better systems, better decisions, and better alignment between your mission and your day to day work.
Nonprofit work is complex enough. Your systems shouldn’t make it harder. Our work focuses on cleaning up processes, clarifying roles, and building workflows that actually fit the people doing the work.
We support nonprofits in strengthening governance, simplifying operations, and making clearer decisions with practical, human-centered, and data-informed systems that support real impact.
Founded by Jeff Smith and Brian Ebersole, ebersmith coaching & consulting delivers real-world nonprofit insight, board experience, and clear, actionable strategy to teams across the country.
Meet Your Partners
Practical support shaped by over four decades of real nonprofit experience.
Jeff Smith
Principal & Lead Consultant
Jeff helps nonprofits work more clearly and confidently by untangling the systems that slow teams down. A BoardSource-certified governance consultant and certified LEGO® Serious Play® facilitator, Jeff brings hands-on nonprofit and grantmaker experience with a focus on board development, strategic planning, and practical, day-to-day operations.
Jeff leads client engagements, develops tools and processes, and helps organizations create sustainable, human-centered workflows that simplify work, strengthen decision-making, and increase impact.
Brian Ebersole
Principal & Strategic Advisor
Brian brings 20+ years of leadership across healthcare, government, education, and nonprofit settings. He currently serves as Senior Vice President of Ecosystem Development, guiding major community health and medical education initiatives.
At ebersmith coaching & consulting, Brian focuses on systems-level strategy, helping organizations strengthen governance, improve communication, and align decision-making with mission and long-term outcomes. His perspective adds depth in program development, evaluation, executive leadership, and mission-driven decision-making.
Blog
You Don’t Need a New You. You Need 1% Better.
You don’t need a new you to start the year well. A 1% better approach focuses on small, sustainable improvements that actually stick.
When’s the Last Time You Walked Your Donor Journey?
Ever donated to your own organization? You should. Walking your own donor journey reveals gaps, strengthens relationships, and helps you build systems that support meaningful stewardship.
Building Clarity Together: What LEGO® Serious Play® Can Do for Nonprofits
LEGO® Serious Play® isn’t about playing with toys. It’s a research-backed facilitation method grounded in the science of how people actually think, connect, and create.