ABOUT
PEOPLE
Phinney Brown, Principal Consultant
Phinney is an accomplished nonprofit executive with extensive experience in arts and cultural leadership. She has a proven track record of stabilizing, growing, and reimagining mission-driven organizations through strategic fundraising, organizational transformation, and stakeholder alignment. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for advancing Native arts visibility, securing major philanthropic support, and strengthening governance and operational infrastructure in complex organizational environments.
View her resumé here.
THE STORY OF COYOTE, CRANE, AND THE DEER HUNT
In the teachings of the Schitsu’umsh (Coeur d’Alene Tribe), there is a story of a deer hunt.
Crane gathered the people together and gave clear instructions: “Do not kill more than two deer each, and be ready.” Everyone prepared their arrows and took their place. Everyone, that is, except Coyote, who scoffed, “Why should I get ready when there is nothing to shoot.”
When the deer appeared, the people who had listened to Crane each took two. No more, no less. They carried abundance home for their families and their community. Coyote, unprepared and scrambling, managed only to kill two small fawns. By the end, it takes all of Coyote’s strength to get home. He is thirsty. And he only has two small fawns to show for all his work.
The lesson is clear: real abundance comes not from greed or haste, but from discipline, preparation, and respect for limits. Crane’s wisdom ensured that the deer would return, that the people would be nourished, and that the hunt was sustainable for the long term.
At Two Deer Consulting, we believe nonprofit leadership carries the same responsibility. An organization that chases every opportunity, spreads itself too thin, or neglects its planning risks exhausting its people and resources, arriving home like Coyote, tired and with little to show. But an organization that prepares carefully, sets clear priorities, and takes “just two deer” will thrive. It will bring back enough to sustain its mission, its staff, and its community.
That is why we are Two Deer Consulting. Our name is a reminder of balance: of knowing what is enough, of aligning strategy with purpose, and of respecting the resources entrusted to you. We help nonprofits ready their arrows through strategic planning, hone their ability to recognize how much harvest they can carry, and ensure their impact remains sustainable for years to come.
Because when leaders act with foresight, discipline, and generosity the whole community thrives.
HOW WE WORK
Our Approach
At Two Deer Consulting, our methodology reflects the lesson of Two Deer: abundance comes from preparation, balance, and respect for limits. We partner with nonprofits to ready their arrows, stay focused on what they can carry, and amplify their impact.
Strategic Planning & Organizational Development
Helping boards and leadership teams clarify vision, set priorities, and align resources.
Fundraising & Development Strategy
Building sustainable revenue streams through grants, donor cultivation, events, and fundraising campaigns.
Program Evaluation & Impact Measurement
Designing frameworks to assess outcomes and communicate impact effectively.
Leadership Coaching & Capacity Building
Supporting nonprofit leaders in navigating growth, change, and organizational challenges
Our Services
Grant Writing · Fundraising Strategy · Donor Stewardship · Event Planning · Strategic Planning · Program Design · Program Evaluation · Leadership Coaching · Capacity Building · Board Development · Governance Support · Financial Planning · Budgeting · Policy Development · Change Management · Community Engagement · Impact Reporting · Communications Strategy
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Two Deer Consulting Blog:
Helping Nonprofits Prepare, Focus, and Flourish
GET IN TOUCH
At Two Deer Consulting, we are committed to helping you achieve your goals. Schedule your complimentary consultation today to begin journey toward a greater and more meaningful impact.