by Jan Watkins

Divapreneurs, Sept./Oct. 2007

“I never intended to start a business.” But that’s exactly what happened and now 20 years later Janine Vanderburg, President and founder of JVA Consulting, is finding great success working with nonprofits and other organizations–and that part is NO accident.

In 1987, Janine, a practicing attorney, had taken maternity leave. While at home caring for her daughter, she was asked by a nonprofit group to help them prepare a grant proposal. Using her legal background, she crafted arguments as to why the group should be funded–and it was approved. Over the next few years, Janine continued to write grants and other proposals for various organizations–still with no intention of doing it fulltime, let alone as a business. Eventually word got out to the nonprofit community about her success in helping groups secure funding and soon she was receiving more requests than she could handle on her own.

She recognized the number of moms just like her—talented, educated women with great skills who wanted to leave the 9-to-5 world behind and stay home with their kids—and knew she could create a ‘win-win’ situation. The women would be able to work flexible schedules and be available for their children, and Janine’s clients would have access to a pool of highly skilled women; thus, JVA Consulting, LLC was born.

JVA’s clients range from urban and rural grassroots nonprofits to larger more established nonprofits, government agencies, faith organizations, school districts, membership and trade associations as well as funders. The services provided by JVA run the gamut from grant writing and fundraising to strategic planning, training and board development.

“I look at our clients, not so much as non-profit organizations, but as ‘social entrepreneurs’. We help them understand they are a business first and foremost—the ‘pass the hat’ mentality no longer works in this day and age,” says Janine. Funders and the public expect more than that and want to know their money is being used wisely. To that end we help them write a business plan, set up their operating structure and work with them on many of the aspects of running their organizations that will hopefully help them be successful.”

JVA Consulting is a woman-owned, woman-run and woman-managed company with 35 employees and boasts an impressive roster of PhD-credentialed staff. They have two main locations in Colorado–their new location in Edgewater and an office in Glenwood Springs that works with organizations in the mountain and Western Slope communities. Janine says they also have staff in Colorado Springs, Loveland and Grand Junction. There are plans for future expansion into Arizona and at least one other western state. Last year their annual revenue exceeded $2 million and so far, they are on track to exceed that this year.

“We are looking at transitioning from an LLC to an employee-owned company in the next three years. I think it’s important that women have a true stake in their futures. I’ve been very fortunate to have such dynamic women in my business, so it’s a logical next move for us.

“When I started this journey, most of the people doing what I do were men–white men specifically, so breaking into this business was a little tough. But I started building a track record of success and I knew we had something unique to offer our clients. We’re all very passionate about what we do, we not only consult, but we volunteer our time in the community, as well. We know the nonprofit world from both sides and that makes a huge difference.”

The spirit of giving back extends to Janine’s family. Her oldest daughter interned with JVA during her summer break from college and her other daughter helps out occasionally, “but, she’s a teenager… enough said!” laughs Janine.

When not at work Janine says she likes to curl up with a good book or work on proposals and volunteer. “It’s hard to step completely away from what I do, but I try.”

Janine and her team are committed to helping organizations achieve and maintain stability. Rates are based on the size of the organization and services to be provided.

“We offer our clients many of the tools they need to be successful. We offer board and staff training, team building and strategic planning assistance. It’s extremely rewarding to watch an organization as they grow and prosper and work their mission,” says Janine. “We look at why they’re passionate about their cause and build on that.”

After 20 years of being in business, Janine offers this advice to business owners. “Don’t overlook moms out there. They make great flex-time and part-time employees. There’s a wealth of talent out there, ready and willing to be tapped.”