Consulting

Mark-n-Sparks collaborates with all kinds of organizations, non and for-profits, foundations, city councils, campaigns, and networks. We co-design processes infused with imagination and creativity to achieve tangible results. We work internally with your staff and partners and externally to support community engagement processes. We take highly technical policy/data and make it accessible using popular education techniques.

Although each training is tailored to suit our clients, some possibilities include:

  • Facilitation for Transformation for groups of 25-500 that are interested in developing visionary plans for coalitions, networks, campaigns, teams, and organizations. 

  • Creative Interventions for national, regional, or local gatherings of 50-2000.  We co-design and develop engaging, participatory experiences, interactive performances,  and immersive environments for conferences, convenings,  and movement-building events. 

  • Translating the Technical in partnership with advocates, we help develop materials, games, and activities that translate detailed policy information into digestible and accessible information. 

  • Creative Community Engagement in partnership with nonprofits, campaigns, networks, and coalitions, we develop comprehensive, innovative community engagement plans.  

  • Coaching on Community Engagement: In small groups or one-on-one, we work with clients to troubleshoot, advise, and add creative delight to your current community engagement process. 

Mark and ashley sitting in an elevated position and leading a facilitation while an audience member listens.

Facilitation for Transformation at NRDC

Working with the Resilient Communities national staff to envision the organization’s next two years and map their connections across national projects. The work shored up the deep relationships and trust needed to effectively build alignment for decentralized teams.

Audience and community members workshop as facilitation is led by artists.

A Creative Intervention at NEWHAB

The Network for Energy, Water, and Health in Affordable Buildings (NEWHAB) commissioned an online performance of The Most Beautiful Home…Maybe for their annual convening of national advocates. We created a container for experiences and connections around their subject areas.

A birds eye view of an urban neighborhood, showing the rooftops of homes and street intersections.

Translating the Technical at Enterprise

Working with Enterprise Communities, we co-created community engagement activities, including a series of workshops with residents and scientists to explain clean air and ventilation content in a fun and engaging way, educating residents about air quality. 

A portrait of an senior woman wearing a blue paisley face mask.

Creative Community Engagement at Energy Efficiency for All

Utilizing storytelling coaching sessions, in partnership with a coalition and a local filmmaker, we collaborated with advocates and residents to create a short documentary about a senior affordable housing project.  

Words from our partners

“I wanted to share how impactful this experience was for me. Not just because an entirely different field of interest has taken up the housing crisis, but it brought a new energy to the environment I work in and I am just so grateful.”

Abby Goldfarb, Executive Director at The Lehigh Conference of Churches

“Working with Mark-n-Sparks is a mix of vulnerability with technical pieces that can sometimes feel abstract. Their process makes you feel like you are connected to something bigger than yourself or your silo.”

Lamisa Chowdhury, Advocate