The SAIS Community Consulting Initiative (CCI) is a student-led program that matches SAIS graduate students with a wide variety of businesses and non-profit organizations in the US and abroad to work on short-term consulting projects. Now in our second year, CCI has already seen the successful completion of 10 projects.
CCI builds on the knowledge and expertise of SAIS graduate students to provide both learning and impact opportunities. Over 65 countries are represented in our multicultural student body, and 70 percent of entering M.A. students have worked or studied abroad. More than 85 percent of our students enter SAIS with significant professional experience in government, grassroots development, journalism, nonprofit organizations, research firms, banking, the military and multinational corporations. Finally, as a testament to the abilities of SAIS students, SAIS teams took top prize and were named "Global Champions of Sustainable Innovation" at the Thunderbird Business Plan Competition in both 2007 and 2008. Each project lasts approximately three months and brings together three to four students and a project advisor from an appropriate professional or academic field. To date, teams have worked on a range of issues including economic analysis, business strategy, marketing, finance, and regional and sectoral consultation. Projects have been conducted in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Please email saisconsulting@gmail.com for more information, or if you are a student or organization interested in participating in the Community Consulting Initiative. Past Projects
Agora Partnerships - Project Finance
SAIS students devised a fundraising strategy for an organization that invests in Central American entrepreneurs. The team created a strategic finance and marketing plan to improve the long-term sustainability and profitability of the American-Nicaraguan Cultural Center.
Shea Yeleen - Marketing and Sales Strategy
A CCI team created a business model and marketing materials for a fair-trade shea butter company in West Africa.
Richmond Partnership for Smarter Growth - Organizational Development and Project Management
SAIS students developed promotional materials and evaluated the organizational structure of a Richmond-based sustainable development non-profit. Community Empowerment Network - Social Impact Strategy
A team of students assisted a Seattle-based non-profit in analyzing the viability of eco-tourism as a development strategy in the Brazilian Amazon. Significant opportunity was found and a plan of action was developed with CEN.
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