Pairing your passion
with ours
Novac Consulting sets up mission-driven organizations for a burnout-free future using sustainable organizational strategy and deliberate development planning.
What we do
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Development planning and leadership
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Synthesizing your story into a fundable case
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Fundraising and resource generation
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Strategic planning
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Managing projects
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Information-sharing and mentorship
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Optimizing development teams
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Partnering with founders, boards, and leaders
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Writing (plans, grants, letters—you name it)
Operating with a values-first approach
Thrivability
Just because survival mode is common in the nonprofit sector, doesn't mean it’s normal. We reject the idea that mission-driven organizations are destined to struggle in some hellhole of relentless scarcity. We believe in moving from surviving to thriving through achievable definitions of success and clear expectations around the strategy, people, and time it takes to get there.
Equity
The nonprofit industrial complex is real, as are the effects of white supremacy and systems of oppression on mission-driven work. We’re committed to leveling the playing field for those who have historically been othered, overlooked, and marginalized. We believe that there is opportunity to push against unjust systems and create new, equitable practices with every decision made, word written, and dollar raised.
Empowerment
Fundraising, strategizing, budgeting, running a nonprofit…these things have a rap for being treasured skill sets of an elite few. They aren’t. We dislike gatekeeping, competition, and myths around who has or can give funding. You are capable. We believe in simplifying the process, sharing information, and being transparent about all the ways in which you can move your work forward.
Balance
Too often, balance is considered an unattainable “nice to have.” But, we believe that sustainability is off the table unless balance is present. You deserve space to think, do, and take care of yourself. We believe in prioritizing 25 of the 3,476 funders on your prospect list, directing you to another team when we lack the expertise you need, and creating systems that support greater work/life balance.
Meet Jenny Novac
Founder & Principal, Novac Consulting
Jenny is a nonprofit strategist and fundraiser dedicated to helping mission-driven organizations thrive. She has over 15 years of combined on-the-ground and consulting experience in nonprofit management, development, strategy, writing, and mentorship.
Having worked almost entirely for founder-led organizations, Jenny shines behind-the-scenes. She has a knack for creating sense from chaos, reading between the lines, translating big ideas into written word, and crafting sustainable systems and processes that keep ‘future you’ in mind. As founder & principal of Novac Consulting, Jenny approaches every working relationship as a partnership in which her job is to help you do your good work better–and with time to sleep.
Photo Credit: Kelleigh Thompson
Background
Jenny Novac (she/her) is a nonprofit leader, strategist, fundraiser, and writer with 15 years of diverse experience, largely in NYC-based performing arts and youth development organizations.
Prior to launching Novac Consulting in 2023, Jenny held numerous executive leadership positions at Gibney. There, she supported the strategic growth and management of the organization, overseeing multiple cross-functional initiatives, advancing the work of the Multiracial Staff Group, and directing Development, Marketing & Media, HR & Culture, Rentals, Education, organizational COVID-19 response, and the Operations of its two-location performing arts center. Earlier in her career, Jenny served as Director of Campaign & Major Gifts for a $90M capital/endowment campaign at Madison Square Boys & Girls Club, Director of Development at RIOULT Dance New York, and as a consultant with DUNCH: Cultural Leadership for a Creative World, where she worked on a range of fundraising, campaign management, and strategic planning projects.
In addition to contributing to various online publications as a dance critic for over a decade and developing a graduate course/web-based resource with a team of scholars in the field of arts entrepreneurship, Jenny is proud to currently serve on the Boards of Groove With Me and MOVE|NYC|. Jenny earned her M.A. in Arts Administration/Nonprofit Management through the University of Kentucky’s online graduate program and holds a B.A. in Writing & Performing Arts as a Catalyst for Social Change from NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study.
Board Membership
Meet Our Team
Amy Pastrana-Flores, Digital Media Consultant
Amy is a curious and data-driven Latina creative with a focus on digital marketing, arts administration, and project management for education, nonprofits, and small start-ups.
With a background in performing arts, she has led the planning and growth implementation of all marketing strategies, communications, and public relations activities for numerous organizations ranging from theatre, to dance, and music. Amy has worked in marketing and communication roles with Maestra Music, RISE Theatre, Ballet Hispánico, Gibney Dance, Writers Theatre of N.J., The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Cherry Lane Theatre, and more. Amy strives to develop initiatives by empowering all forms of artistry and brand identity in every active role while bringing awareness, accessibility, and intentional content to the stories being told.
Photo Credit: Jessie Thiele
Special Thanks
A heartfelt thanks to all those who played a special role in Jenny’s journey to create Novac Consulting:
Susana Boey (Susana Boey Creative), Alejandra Duque Cifuentes (ADC Consulting), Yasmine Falk (Advance NYC), Jill Garland (Jill Garland Group), Stacy Handler (Bloom Arts Strategy), Alexandru Novac, Clarissa Soto Josephs, Kelleigh Thompson, & Linda & Bill Thompson
“Jenny is a colleague for whom I have the utmost respect. She is supportive, generous, and has a varied skillset that comes together to lead with ease. Any team would be lucky to have her, not only for her experience but also for her energy and passion.”
“Simply, she has made me a better fundraiser, a more valued thought-partner, and a key resource to my team. Beyond her incredible array of ‘hard skills,’ Jenny is a dream to work with! She brings her incredible personality and has the ability to make even stressful situations lighter.”
Let's Chat
Let's Chat
Schedule a free 20-minute discovery call