Universities |  Civic Organizations |  Churches and Faith-Based Groups | Service Organizations | Traditional Nonprofits |  Colleges |  Grade Schools |  Missions Groups

We are convinced that in order to produce real change in the nonprofit sector, all must be willing to check their mindsets, intentions, language, attitudes, and perceptions of partnership.

Volunteers are trained and oriented. They serve. They take the group photo. They leave. The left with no sustainable heart or action change.

Organizations design a direct service program and during implementation, there’s no representative of the community included in the process. Not one.

A volunteer group has an idea for a project and wish to implement it in partnership with a grassroots community organization. The grassroots org uses its valuable time and energy to host and create a project for the group. The group ends up feeling good but contributes no real sustainable impact. They have harmed the community they thought they were helping.

These situations happen every single day in the nonprofit sector.

Connecting the Cause helps organizations create lasting impact by harnessing the power Co-Dreaming to build effective volunteer practices.

We align organizations to walk alongside community and lead with respect and dignity and not pity and power. We are ultimately in the work of galvanizing volunteers into engaged and informed advocates for the community being partnered with.

How can we co-dream together?

Speaking Engagements and Workshops: Inspire Action, Spark Change
Our speaking engagements and workshops are designed to ignite deep conversations, inspire collective action, and equip communities and organizations with the tools to build community care in future work. Together, we’ll explore how to shift from traditional volunteerism to co-dreaming partnerships that create lasting impact.

• Keynotes: Dive into topics like Co-Dreaming for Impact, Reimagining Volunteerism Through Community-Centric Lenses, and Unpacking Power, Privilege, and Paternalism.

• Workshops: Customized, interactive sessions tailored to meet your corporate teams, nonprofit leaders, or volunteer communities where they are.

Ideal for: Conferences, corporate gatherings, nonprofit leadership teams, and anyone committed to advancing equity and belonging.

Online Courses and On Demand Resources : Learn at Your Pace, Transform at Your Core
Our online courses and resources empower you to integrate equity and Co-dreaming principles into your everyday work. Designed with flexibility in mind, these resources meet you where you are, offering actionable frameworks that center the voices and experiences of the communities you serve.

• Signature Course: Co-Dreaming: From Pity to Partnership—a transformative journey that reshapes how we engage with communities. (COMING SOON)

• Digital Resources: Practical e-books, templates, and toolkits to guide you on your equity and community-building path.

Ideal for: Volunteer managers, community organizers, and nonprofit equity champions eager to create lasting change.

Consulting Services: Strategic Support Rooted in Equity and Collaboration
We partner with organizations to co-design and help implement strategies that reflect your values and center community voice. Together, we’ll co-create systems and solutions that move beyond intention to the community’s definition of success.

• Community-Centric Volunteer Program Redesign: Shift toward inclusive, community-driven volunteer initiatives.

• Co-Dreaming Strategy Development: Build sustainable frameworks that prioritize mutual respect and shared power.

• Ongoing Retainer Support: Stay equipped with long-term guidance as you implement and grow your impact.

Ideal for: Nonprofits, corporate social responsibility teams, and place-based initiatives seeking to deepen their commitment to equity and co-dreaming.

Custom Collaborations: Let’s Co-Create Something Unique
Have an idea that doesn’t fit neatly into a box? THAT is my favorite! Let’s build a partnership tailored to your gaps and opportunities.

Perfect for: Organizations who understand their issues, recognize the need to change, and are willing to innovate and collaborate.

Read this testimonial from a recent consulting partnership:

Partnering with Breauna Dorelus, MPA, Founder and Consultant of Connecting the Cause, was a transformative experience for our organization. Her expertise helped bring our strategic Whole Family Approach Framework to life within our volunteerism practices. Working closely with our Volunteer Management Team, she guided us in developing a clear and actionable path for future implementation. Through collaborative coaching, thoughtful feedback, and co-created deliverables, Breauna helped us align our volunteerism practices with our mission, vision, and values. She reimagined volunteerism as a partnership grounded in equity, dignity, and mutual respect, empowering us to more fully center families as the experts in their own lives. Breauna also helped us identify ways to deepen our volunteers’ understanding of the systemic barriers that impact family-driven solutions and the progress of their goals.  We are incredibly grateful for her guidance and highly recommend her to any organization looking to turn their vision into meaningful, impactful action.

Shanea Turner-Smith, MSW, LGSW, DEI Manager of Wilder Foundation

Schedule a call If you’re ready to start the process of rethinking your program.