Intentional, grounded, experienced nonprofit consulting

STRATEGY

RESOURCES

GOVERNANCE

LEADERSHIP

Four Stones

Four Stones is a consulting collective founded by nonprofit executives with over 35 years of combined experience in leading organizational growth and transformation. We specialize in Strategy, Resources, Governance, and Leadership, offering practical expertise ranging from strategy refreshes to successful capital campaigns. As co-conspirators for real change, we center equity and relationships, using deep listening to nurture your organization's unique path.

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Who We Are


  • Crystal Brinkman is an experienced leader with a background in arts & culture, youth work, social enterprises, and local government. She specializes in empowering emerging leaders, developing and managing projects, and facilitating capacity building. Passionate about creating impact, Crystal loves to help organizations refresh their strategic plans with clear, inclusive action steps. As a creative strategist, she brings authentic connection, artistic vision, and a collaborative approach to every project.


  • Alissa Light is a heart-connected systems shaker, with significant experience in healthcare, LGBTQ+ rights, government relations, leadership development, board governance and fundraising. Her passions include executive director support and coaching, major gifts and major campaign fundraising and partnering with boards to amplify and advance justice oriented change work through high engagement and thoughtful governance. Alissa is a geek about role clarity, and loves deep listening, visioning, and resourcing with abundance.

strategy & implementation

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thoughtful leadership coaching

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fundraising & capital campaigns

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board governance & development

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strategy & implementation · thoughtful leadership coaching · fundraising & capital campaigns · board governance & development ·

  • "Alissa is among the most skilled nonprofit executives I've had the privilege of working with. She holds complexities and appreciates nuance, she's knowledgeable across a wide variety of topics and functions."

    Michael Anderson, Tangelo Tree Consulting

  • "Crystal is a thought partner, strategist, artist and expert facilitator. Her capacity for complexity, creativity and forward momentum are amazing."

  • "From deftly managing rapid organizational growth to centering racial justice and equity in decision making to blowing fundraising goals out of the water, Alissa demonstrates a rare combination of skills, knowledge, compassion and tenacity."

    Becky Smith, Leadership | Strategy | Communication

  • "Engaging Alissa for our capital campaign was the best decision we made. No one on staff had run this type of campaign before, but she gave us the knowledge and confidence to make it happen. We ended up closing the campaign on time and above goal, and dramatically increased engagement of donors we had wanted to get in front of for years. I recommend working with Alissa to anyone who wants to boost their major donor capacity and strengthen support for their mission!”

    - Nikki Hangelsben, Founder & Executive Director QUEERSPACE collective

Want to learn more? We’d love to connect with you!

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