FRANCIE BRODY, Principal

Francie’s attention to the practical and political implications of strategic options and her dedication to the welfare of her clients characterize her distinctive approach to consulting. She is particularly adept at helping organizations deal with the implications of growth. Comfortable with the languages and cultures of nonprofit organizations, foundations, and corporations, she can mediate among multiple partners to help define and implement shared goals.

For more than 25 years, Francie has provided consulting services to hundreds of foundations, corporations and nonprofit organizations. Her areas of expertise include corporate and financing structures, private placement social investing, program-related investing, community develop finance, program/project design and planning, and community and economic development strategies. She is particularly adept at clarifying complex technical details and resolving obstacles to complex deal structures.
Before co-founding Brody • Weiser • Burns in 1984, she founded Connecticut’s first community residence for retarded adults; managed a nonprofit community center that included several diverse business ventures and nonprofit spin-offs, such as a food cooperative, domestic violence project and community radio station; and planned and developed a second-hand-goods department store that earned income to help support a domestic violence prevention center.

Francie is an internationally recognized authority on the use of program-related investments (PRIs) and Community Development Finance. She served on the faculty of the MIT Project on Social Investing, where she facilitated intensive PRI workshops for foundation staff and trustees. She also has developed and delivered case-based technical training. Her articles on social investing are featured in a variety of publications.

Francie earned an undergraduate degree in community psychology cum laude from Yale University. She holds a Masters Degree in Public and Private Management from the Yale School of Organization and Management.