“We’re All On Offense” – What Knoll & Krest Taught Me About Culture (and Football)
By Patrick, Still Not Technically on Payroll but Emotionally Invested Anyway
Here’s something I never thought I’d say about a nonprofit consulting firm: they helped me see nonprofits as the best football teams I’ve ever seen.
Okay, not literally. Nobody’s running slants or doing wind sprints in the parking lot (though someone definitely has a whistle and I have questions). But figuratively? When a nonprofit is dialed in, mission aligned, communicating well, and trusting each other, it’s a full-field, coordinated offense, and it’s kind of amazing to watch.
That’s the kind of culture Knoll & Krest helps organizations build. And that’s what I want to talk about.
Most Nonprofits Have a “Development Department.” Knoll & Krest Helps You Build a Development Culture.
In most orgs, “development” is a department. You know, two or three heroic souls in the corner writing grants, answering donor emails, and wondering if anyone read that last annual report.
But here’s the shift Knoll & Krest helps people make: Development isn’t a department. It’s a team sport.
They work with nonprofits to break down the walls between program, operations, finance, comms, and fundraising. Because when everyone sees how their work supports the mission, how they help drive resources, tell stories, and build trust, then everyone’s on offense.
And once you start thinking like that? You start to win.
The Quarterback Ain’t the Only One Scoring
Let’s be real, quarterbacks get the highlight reels. But without the offensive line? That QB is just a very expensive tackling dummy. The same goes for nonprofits.
Knoll & Krest helps leaders and teams rethink how credit, responsibility, and strategy are shared. They help you build a culture where a new workflow from your ops team can be just as mission-moving as a six-figure grant. Where internal comms aren’t just FYIs, they’re part of the playbook.
When everyone’s job is mission-focused, and everyone feels ownership over outcomes? That’s when the whole team starts celebrating the right wins.
I once watched a nonprofit staffer fist-pump because their finance lead found a way to track impact faster. That’s the good stuff. That’s culture.
Nobody Sits on the Sidelines
There’s this myth in some orgs, especially under stress, that you’ve got “frontline folks” and “support folks.” Like one group runs the plays, and the rest are just handing out Gatorade.
But Knoll & Krest helps orgs call that out and change it. They coach teams to make sure everyone is part of the huddle, because ideas, insight, and solutions come from everywhere.
It’s not about having flat org charts or using cool sticky notes. It’s about trust. They help teams design systems and rituals that bring people in, keep them engaged, and make it clear: you matter to the mission.
Football, But Make It Emotional Intelligence
Let me be clear: this isn’t some macho, “grind harder” locker-room culture. If anything, it’s more Ted Lasso than Vince Lombardi.
Knoll & Krest helps nonprofits build cultures rooted in listening, empathy, and real feedback. They help create the kind of team where people don’t burn out, they build up. Where you don’t have to be the loudest to be heard. Where you don’t have to be perfect to be part of the plan.
It’s thoughtful. It’s intentional. And yeah, it still gets the W.
Culture Is Strategy Wearing Cleats
I’ve watched enough from the sidelines (okay fine, conference calls I wasn’t invited to) to know this: culture isn’t what you say on your website. It’s what people feel in meetings.
Knoll & Krest helps organizations make that culture visible, strong, and contagious. Not just feel-good, “yay team” stuff, but real, actionable, sustainable culture that supports strategy.
Because when culture is your playbook, people don’t just do their jobs, they play their position like it matters. And that’s when missions move forward.
Final Score?
Culture: 1 Burnout, silos, and ego: 0
If you’re running a nonprofit and wondering why things feel harder than they should, or why the vision feels stuck in the PowerPoint deck, Knoll & Krest might be your next best call.
They won’t give you a magic formula. But they will help you get everyone on the field, running the same play, heading toward the same goal.
And hey, if your team fist-pumps over a calendar invite? You’re already winning.
Knoll & Krest: Helping nonprofits build cultures that play offense, share the ball, and keep the mission moving downfield. Water breaks encouraged. And remember: if you’re holding the clipboard, you’re already on the team. Might as well call a great play.
Let’s get to work.