unlock the collective power of your network

Shifting Patterns helps foundations, backbone organizations, and multistakeholder collaboratives build the clarity, alignment, and momentum needed to advance systems change.

Through systems thinking, facilitation, and collaborative design, we help groups navigate complexity and move from conversation to coordinated action.

collaboration becomes difficult when…

• Stakeholders are aligned in principle but not in practice

• Convenings generate discussion without meaningful progress

• Networks lose momentum over time

• Roles, decision-making, or coordination become unclear

• Complexity makes it difficult to move forward together

Without the right structures, relationships, and processes, collaborative efforts can become fragmented, stalled, or difficult to sustain.

How we help

Collaborative sensemaking sprints

Clarity for collaboratives navigating pivotal moments

We help groups pause, listen deeply, identify patterns, and make sense of complex dynamics so they can move forward with shared understanding and focus.

catalytic convenings

Turning gatherings into catalysts for alignment and action

We design and facilitate convenings that foster meaningful dialogue, deepen engagement, and generate momentum for collaborative action.

collaboration stewardship

Sustaining momentum and strengthening collaboration over time

We help multistakeholder collaboratives sustain momentum by strengthening the relationships, structures, and practices that support long-term impact.

we help multistakeholder collaboratives move from:

our approach

Shifting Patterns combines systems thinking, deep listening, and skilled facilitation to help changemakers navigate complexity together.

We create spaces where people can:

• Surface what matters most

• Build trust across differences

• Understand the system they are a part of

• Make informed decisions together

• Turn insight into coordinated action

Because lasting systems change depends on collaboration that is grounded in clarity, commitment, and collective action.

collaboration in action

These examples illustrate how we help changemakers build clarity, alignment, and momentum for collective action.

Collaborative sensemaking sprint

Building a Shared Vision for Civic Innovation

When civic, business, and public sector leaders sought to strengthen support for civic innovators across Washington, DC, we facilitated collaborative design conversations that helped local leaders identify priorities and build shared understanding.

Outcome: Local leaders established a steering committee along with a shared path forward for supporting civic innovators.

catalytic convening

Advancing Anti-Poverty Action

A national anti-poverty initiative decided to convene faith and grassroots from across the country to explore a coordinated approach to addressing the causes of poverty. We designed a multi-day gathering that fostered dialogue, shared learning, and planning for increased coordination.

Outcome: Participants developed action plans, built stronger relationships, and created momentum for continued collaboration.

collaboration stewardship

Strengthening a Network for Long-Term Impact

A global network was struggling to maintain momentum and engagement around a shared goal for accelerating climate action. We supported strategy development, leadership coordination, peer learning, and ongoing participant engagement.

Outcome: The network became more active, coordinated, and equipped to advance its mission through collective action.

let’s talk

If your network is ready for greater clarity, alignment, and momentum, we’d welcome a conversation.