Built to turn big ideas into funded initiatives.
We help colleges and universities design ambitious initiatives that mobilize partners, demonstrate impact, and attract major investment.
$3M+ in competitive federal and state grants secured through initiatives designed with Leverage since 2023.
$35M+ in gifts and a nine-figure campaign emerged alongside a single bold initiative.
Turning Strategic Goals Into Investment-Ready Initiatives
Many colleges and universities have strong strategic plans. What they often lack are the major initiatives needed to bring those plans to life.
We design what comes next.
Leverage helps leadership teams design ambitious initiatives with the scope, structure, and outcomes needed to build momentum and compete for major external funding.
Defined initiative scope and model
A complete initiative blueprint to guide execution and future proposals
Clear ownership and accountability
A rigorous framework to measure and demonstrate results
How We Design What Comes Next
Every institution has strategic goals. What often slows progress is not the plan itself, but the absence of clearly designed initiatives that can build momentum and compete for major external funding.
Our work focuses on the design elements that turn strategy into executable, investment-ready initiatives.
Pillar 1: Alignment
Identify which priorities are most ready for a major initiative and where external investment could accelerate progress.
Pillar 2: Design
Shape a bold initiative with clear scope, ownership, outcomes, and the structure needed to move from idea to implementation.
Pillar 3: Impact
Develop outcomes, success metrics, and the logic that demonstrates progress and long-term impact.
Pillar 4: Funding
Position the initiative to compete for major federal, state, and philanthropic investment.
Evidence of What’s Possible
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Mobilizing Philanthropy
A university engaged us to develop a visionary initiative in data science. We delivered a comprehensive model, case for support, and implementation framework. The work helped shape the institution’s long-term vision and emerged alongside record-breaking gifts.
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Fueling Student Success
We partnered with a community college to design and position an initiative supporting low-income, first-generation, and disabled students. The proposal secured five years of federal funding by identifying pockets of need within the district, despite the grant’s focus on high-need regions.
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Building Collaboratives
We helped expand a student success initiative focused on underrepresented learners, supporting one college as it scaled the model to four partner campuses. The work included onboarding, training, and evaluation structures to ensure strong implementation across the collaborative.
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![A modern wooden house sits on a grassy hillside near a large body of water, with mountain ranges in the background under an overcast sky.]()
Launching P-16 Pathways
A college approached us with a major state grant opportunity but no initiative concept. We designed an ambitious pathway connecting underserved youth to artificial intelligence and machine learning careers through exploration, credentials, and work-based learning.
About Maya Evans, PhD
Maya works with higher education leaders to design ambitious institutional initiatives aligned with their strategic priorities. Drawing on experience as a faculty member, administrator, strategist, and consultant, she helps leadership teams translate bold ideas into initiatives capable of mobilizing partners, delivering measurable impact, and attracting major external investment.
Stay Ahead With The Funding Strategist
The Funding Strategist explores how institutions turn big strategic goals into initiatives capable of attracting major investment.
Subscribe for occasional insights on initiative design, funding strategy, and institutional momentum.
Why Organizations Choose Leverage Education
Strategic Initiative Design: We translate strategic priorities into ambitious initiatives that build institutional momentum.
Higher Education Expertise: Experience across colleges and universities navigating complex institutional strategy and change.
Initiatives Built for Investment: Designed with the structure, outcomes, and partnerships needed to attract major external funding.
Proven Institutional Impact: Bold ideas translated into initiatives that secure funding and move strategy into action.
Because we focus on the work that happens before the proposal.
Ready to Turn Strategy Into a Major Initiative?
If your institution is exploring a bold initiative aligned with its strategic priorities, we would welcome the opportunity to talk.