Biography

JOHN KENYON is a nationally recognized educator and strategist providing advice, education and writing expertise to a diverse range of nonprofit and philanthropic organizations for over 20 years.

Often through foundations and networks of organizations, I work as a partner in building capacity as well as capability. I assist organizations in making informed decisions regarding strategy, culture, technology, communications, development, programs and operations.

I am a featured speaker at events across the US, England, Australia and online. Recent keynotes include Stanford Social Innovation Review’s Nonprofit Management Institute and Connecting Up’s Australian Technology Conference. I’m on the faculty of several esteemed institutions including the Alliance for Strong Families & Communities’ Executive Leadership Institute, the Emerging Leaders Program at the Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership, and the Masters of Nonprofit Administration degree program at the University of San Francisco.

My role sometimes involves coaching, planning, project management and plan implementation based on thoughtful strategies. This includes facilitating culture change, change management, strategic planning, digital strategy, technology management, training, as well as capacity and capability building. Central to my approach is education and collaboration through long-term learning journeys, which supports healthy striving towards excellent practices.

I harness my experience and skills to support the promotion of equity in our sector. Currently engaged in helping people and organizations support the work of reducing harm, oppression and inequality.

Connect on LinkedIn , Facebook , X/Twitter @jakenyon

Background

I earned my B.S. at Emerson College in Boston before moving to the San Francisco Bay Area. I began working with nonprofits and grantmakers as a volunteer for TechSoup in the 1990’s. I then became the Information Technology Director at San Francisco’s Management Center.

Along with Michael Stein I wrote both The eNonprofit: a guide to ASPs, Internet Services and Online Software (pdf, 640KB) and the Nonprofit Quarterly article A Decade of Online Fundraising (pdf, 96KB). We worked together at Groundspring.org/Network for Good where taught nonprofits how to effectively use the internet as Training and Consulting Director.

Author of the “Effective Online Communications” chapter in the 2009 NTEN book Managing Technology to Meet Your Mission: A Strategic Guide for Nonprofit Leaders. I helped Beth Kanter develop the curriculum for and present the two day workshop for nonprofits on social media, We Are Media. We have collaborated on many workshops and projects since then. Since 2020 we have been delivering “train the trainer” sessions to support the work of nonprofits who provide training and education services.

I am an adjunct professor for the Masters of Nonprofit Administration degree program at the University of San Francisco. I have taught at various institutions of higher learning including:

Recently I worked with Barbara Pierce on crafting curriculum for her excellent Women With Capital Series, focused on helping women focus their philanthropic efforts and improve their impact.

I continue to use my extensive experience in areas of culture change, strategic planning, and managing change to help nonprofit and philanthropic organizations.

Client Feedback
 
“I thought this was incredibly beneficial! I look forward to exploring the techniques  you recommended. Thank you so much!” Claire Withycombe
Public Information Assistant
Community Gatepath

“John Kenyon’s excellent Effective Websites seminar has helped our members improve their web presence in a major way.  The valuable advice and strategies he shares are affordable and easy to implement, and many of our members were inspired to adopt his recommendations immediately after his presentation.” Deborah Schneider 
Community Resources Director 
New Progressive Coalition

“Thank you for a wonderful presentation yesterday at AFP.  Covered all the bases!” Peter C. McCormick
Annual Giving Coordinator     
Sutter VNA & Hospice Foundation

“Thank you so much for the wonderful session you did at the Nonprofit Technology Conference!”  Laurie Vermont 
Director
Youth in Arts

“Thanks so much for the informative presentation today. I found it extremely applicable.” Adrienne Pfeiffer
Director of Development and Outreach
West Marin Community Radio