Optimize transitions. Expand opportunities.

When your organization hits a crossroads, I’m the versatile, battle-tested partner who helps you cut through the noise, tackle the hard stuff, and build strategies that actually work.

Mary Dell Hayes

The creative mind behind the solutions!

SERVICES

Hi, I’m Mary Dell (yep, it's a double name).

I work with nonprofits of all shapes and sizes — from rural, grassroots community-based organizations to multimillion-dollar national powerhouses — helping leaders solve complex challenges and chart a path forward.

Think of me as your Swiss Army knife for nonprofit leadership: part strategist, part problem-solver, part therapist, and part hype squad. I’m here to meet you where you are, stabilize what’s shaky, and help you move toward bold, sustainable growth.

I bring deep experience in interim leadership, fundraising strategy, board development, and organizational transformation. Whether you need someone to steady the ship, rally the team, or craft a new playbook entirely, I deliver clarity, confidence, and real results. I believe in being clear, not clever about what I do.

Services

Here’s how I help:

Leadership Strategy & Advisory (Translation: I’m your thought partner when things get messy.)

I work with executive directors and development leaders to navigate big decisions, messy conflicts, strengthen leadership skills, and chart a path forward. We’ll turn uncertainty into action — together.

Interim Executive Leadership (Translation: Just like Mary Poppins.)

Leadership transitions happen — sometimes planned, sometimes not. I step in as Interim CEO, COO, or Chief Development Officer to stabilize operations, assess and improve systems, lead teams, re-engage stakeholders, and keep your mission on track while you prepare for what’s next. I show up, open the umbrella, fix what’s broken, and leave things better than I found them.

Fundraising & Growth Strategy (Translation: Like a GPS for your revenue goals.)

I help organizations unlock new revenue, strengthen donor relationships, and build smarter systems that fuel growth. From writing fundraising strategies to coaching development teams to simply holding accountability for making those dials for dollars, I focus on plans that actually work in the real world — no cookie-cutter solutions here.

Board Development & Alignment (Translation: Like a crew coach, get your paddles and dig because we are rowing in sync.)

Stronger boards = stronger organizations. I work with boards and executives to define roles, build trust, clarify priorities, and improve governance so everyone rows in the same direction — and actually enjoys the ride.

Case Studies

LEADERSHIP. MANAGEMENT. OPERATIONS.

Here's the toolbox I actually bring to the table:

Interim CEO, COO, Director of Development/CDO

Board Governance Training & Implementation Support

Conflict Mediation

Succession Planning

Merger & Dissolution Facilitation

Leadership & Fundraising Strategy Development & Execution

Strategic Planning

Project Management

Human Resources Policy & Strategy

Salary & Benefits Planning

Let's stop the gap together!

Stop The Gap!

You know what you need to be done, but you’re not quite sure of all the details. StopGap excels at creating flexible project plans for developing circumstances that may require short-term and full-time help or a longer-term need on a part-time basis. Our team excels in transitional situations that help to bridge or stop gaps within an organization including project management, executive transition, and development.

Behind The Solutions

Our goal is to protect and advance what you care about most.

A StopGap solution is a temporary bridge from one place to the next. There must be a way forward, but there is not an obvious route. An experienced guide and partner will help identify the most efficient way to navigate.

TESTIMONIALS

Clients call me:

The Swiss Army Knife — versatile, resourceful, and ready for anything

The Calm in the Storm — steadying leadership through uncertainty

The Nonprofit MacGyver — ready with creative, practical solutions when things get complicated

I combine big-picture strategy with a get-it-done mentality, so you get someone who can both plan and execute.

Gloria Duryea, Good Neighbor Medical Clinic

"Mary Dell facilitated our annual board retreat and made the whole process easy and enjoyable! She jumped right in to learn about our organization and its players and was able to offer valuable insight throughout the exercise. Her years of nonprofit and leadership experience were evident and extremely helpful as we worked to come to a consensus on our next strategic plan. From the pre-retreat meeting through to the document development stage, Mary Dell was personable and professional."

Ruthe Farmer, Last Mile Education Fund

"Mary Dell brought calm, clarity, and steadiness to our team during a time of rapid growth and expansion. She has a unique ability to listen deeply and navigate transitions from a start-up to established nonprofit. Her partnership helped launch an exciting next phase of our work to support high-potential students."

Karen Riordan, Together SC

"Mary Dell has a great reputation as 'the Swiss army knife" of nonprofit consulting because she does so many things so well. From strategic planning, to fundraising, to board governance and facilitation, Mary Dell is a caring, responsive problem solver who helps nonprofits become more productive and successful. On top of it all, she is a delight to work with. We appreciate all the meaningful support she provides to Together SC."

FAQ

You're probably
wondering...

Yes! Every project starts with an initial consultation call to evaluate your needs. Most of my projects start with a total lack of clarity. Sometimes my job is to help you design a process for a new opportunity, sometimes it's to design and implement the process, and sometimes I can identify and connect you with someone who is a better fit for your needs. It never hurts to have an exploratory conversation and start to figure out where you are going.

Yes, I present to a variety of groups including conferences, association meetings, board retreats, staff retreats, and small groups. I am morally opposed to Death By PowerPoint. Some of my presentations include:

- Succession Planning: It's critical to have a succession plan for your front-line staff, leadership, board of directors, and volunteers. Each position is critical for ongoing operations. By planning, you ensure the organization can move forward even during times of change.

- Donor Acknowledgment: Donor retention rates are abysmal and it doesn't have to be that way. Immediately begin to implement retention practices that will not only retain but increase the commitment of donors.

- Board Development: We expect boards to lead radical community change, but we don't always tell them how they are supposed to do that. Helping boards center on the purpose of the organization keeps them focused on strategic leadership.

Let's chat! If what you want isn't in my wheelhouse, I am happy to connect you with a colleague who is a subject matter expert.

Well... lots of things are expensive. Someone with much less experience might cost less at first glance, but my experience may make it possible to complete your work in half the time it would take them and without putting a supervisory burden on an already busy team. I remember the stress of balancing the budget as a nonprofit executive and I don't want you to feel burdened. Our work together should make your life and organization better. We can navigate the budget by adjusting the scope of work, identifying someone who is a better fit, or winning the lottery. I haven't given up hope on the lottery yet, even though it hasn't worked out to date!

Every consultant is a little bit different with different areas of experience and focus. I am a member of the Together SC Consultant Collaborative. We focus on building extensive relationships that work to benefit the nonprofit sector. Sometimes the best fit is about personality, sometimes it's about capacity or budget, sometimes it's about prior relationships. I have an ethical obligation to not accept work outside of my scope or capacity - my partners in the Consultant Collaborative have accepted that responsibility as well. There's plenty of work for everyone and it serves all of us best if to try to only accept the work that's uniquely suited for us.