Mission Partners

What Mission Partners does

Mission Partners is a women-owned, Certified B Corporation strategic communications firm founded by Carrie Fox in 2016 (with 2017 often cited as the first operating year) and headquartered in the Rockville/Washington D.C. area. The firm serves nonprofits, philanthropic foundations, and social-impact organizations — spanning policy, public health, civic engagement, affordable housing, community development, and journalism — providing strategic planning, messaging and branding, public relations and campaign development, partnerships and program development, design services, and training and facilitation. Its differentiation rests on an equity-centered methodology branded as "More Than Words" (also the title of Carrie Fox's bestselling book), explicit anti-racist commitments and a published Race Equity Action Plan, and a proprietary "Mission Forward" national education platform comprising a podcast, weekly column, books, workshops, and community events that functions as both thought leadership and a top-of-funnel demand engine.

The business is a fee-based professional services operation: engagements are sold directly by the leadership team on a project or retainer basis, with multi-year contracts common and no public rate card. Distribution is entirely relationship-driven — direct outreach, referrals, and sector reputation — with no resellers or marketplaces. A second revenue stream, classified as subscription/recurring, runs through Mission Forward via book sales, workshop fees, and event revenue. The team numbers 11-50 employees, including partners, strategists, designers, and Social Impact Fellows distributed across the Mid-Atlantic, Minnesota, and New York. In January 2023, the firm expanded its ownership structure to add three senior leaders (Bridget Pooley as COO, Deb Ferrin as CFO, Anne Kerns as Creative Director) as employee-owner Partners alongside Carrie Fox.

From a positioning standpoint, the firm has accumulated multiple external validations — Inc. 2026 Fastest Growing Companies in the Mid-Atlantic, PRNEWS Top Corporate Social Responsibility Program (2024), two Real Leaders Impact Awards (2021, 2023), Mental Health America Gold Bell Seal (2022), and Inc. Best Workplace (2022) — and a B Corp recertification score of 125.5 (up 30+ points from founding). Notable historical project work includes Carrie Fox serving as lead communications strategist on a $10 million global prize competition to advance fuel-efficient vehicles. There is no indication of venture capital or private equity backing, no parent company, and no disclosed revenue; the firm operates as a closely held professional services partnership.

Name

Mission Partners

Legal name

Mission Partners

Website

https://mission.partners

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mission Partners is a women-owned Certified B Corporation strategic communications firm serving nonprofits, foundations, and social impact organizations with strategic planning, branding, PR, campaign development, and equity-centered communications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Strategic Communications Consulting

NAICS

Management Consulting Services (54161), Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Advertising Agencies (7311), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate & Foundation Relations (Sponsorships, Grants, Partnerships) (EDALAOAE)

Keywords

• Strategic communications consulting
• Nonprofit branding services
• Social impact communications
• Public relations consulting
• Mission-driven advisory

Headquarters

HQ city

Rockville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Strategic Communications Consulting: Mission Partners generates revenue through fee-based consulting engagements with nonprofits, foundations, and social impact organizations. Services include strategic planning, messaging and branding, public relations, campaign development, design services, and training and facilitation. engagements are project-based or retainer arrangements.
2. Mission Forward Education Platform: Mission Forward is a national public education platform operated by Mission Partners, offering a podcast, CEO weekly column (Finding The Words), books, resources, and workshops. Revenue from this platform may include book sales, workshop fees, and event revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Mission Partners provides fee-based strategic communications consulting services to nonprofits, foundations, and social impact organizations, encompassing strategic planning, messaging and branding, public relations, campaign development, design services, partnerships and program development, and training and facilitation. Engagements are project-based or retainer arrangements, led by senior strategists and supported by the firm's proprietary 'More Than Words' courageous communication methodology. The Mission Forward education platform (podcast, books, workshops, weekly column) extends the firm's thought leadership and serves as a complementary offering.

Product overview

Mission Partners is an award-winning strategic communications firm and Certified B Corporation that operates as a single integrated offering rather than a modular platform. The core product is strategic communications consulting services for nonprofits, foundations, and social impact organizations, encompassing strategic planning, messaging and branding, public relations and campaign development, design services, and training and facilitation. Supporting this core offering are educational products including the Mission Forward platform (which provides podcasts, workshops, books, and community events), the More Than Words book on courageous communication methodology, and the Adventures in Kindness children's book. The company also publishes annual Social Impact Reports documenting its B Corp commitments and equity initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mission Forward: A national education platform that equips purpose-driven leaders to lead with care, courage, and clarity. Features a podcast, CEO's weekly column, books, resources and workshops.

Products and services

• Strategic Communications Consulting Fee-based strategic communications consulting services delivered to nonprofits, foundations, and social impact organizations. Engagements cover strategic planning, messaging and branding, public relations and campaign development, design services, partnerships and program development, and training and facilitation, typically structured as project-based or retainer arrangements.
• Mission Forward Education Platform A national public education platform operated by Mission Partners that equips purpose-driven leaders with podcast episodes, books, workshops, resources, and community gatherings focused on communications, leadership, and social impact.
• More Than Words Book Bestselling book by Carrie Fox titled 'More Than Words: Communications With Courage, Care and Clarity' that serves as the foundation for the firm's proprietary courageous communication methodology.
• Adventures in Kindness Book Children's book co-authored by Carrie Fox and her daughter Sophia, featuring 52 adventures for kids to build a better world. Book design led by Anne Kerns.

Quantifiable outcome

• $617,000 in capital moved to Black- and women-led organizations in 2021 alone; $130,000 in pro bono services delivered toward a multimillion-dollar commitment
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CommonHealth ACTIONcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnered with CommonHealth ACTION to deliver Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Training to Mission Partners and its network. Natalie S. Burke, founder of CommonHealth ACTION, is a recurring featured speaker and collaborator on Mission Forward events. Mission Partners doubled down on its equity commitment by partnering with CommonHealth ACTION to bring training experiences to its broader network.
• Montgomery CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Presented the Narrative Change Fall gathering in partnership with Montgomery College in November 2018. The event centered stories of immigration and people's lives in the United States.
• Greater Washington Community FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Presented the Narrative Change Fall gathering in partnership with the Greater Washington Community Foundation in November 2018, alongside Bethesda Magazine.
• Bethesda MagazineminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Presented the Narrative Change Fall gathering in partnership with Bethesda Magazine in November 2018, alongside Montgomery College and Greater Washington Community Foundation.
• Greater Washington Board of TradecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Mission Forward 2017 series launched at the Greater Washington Board of Trade on April 20, 2017. The event featured MacArthur Genius Award Winner Mauricio Lim Miller and national leader Natalie S. Burke of CommonHealth ACTION.
• Chronicle of PhilanthropycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Mission Forward series was conducted in partnership with the Chronicle of Philanthropy in 2016. Carrie Fox co-hosted the series with Stacy Palmer of the Chronicle, providing editorial coverage and hosting candid conversations with social innovators and philanthropists in New York and Washington, D.C.
• The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Featured as a key philanthropy partner in the 2016 Mission Forward series at the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Donn Weinberg represented the foundation as a featured panelist discussing social innovation with Plinio Ayala of Per Scholas.
• America The Beautiful FoundationminorOthersMission Partners is listed as a partner in news coverage of the America The Beautiful Foundation's nationwide campaign, suggesting a client relationship for strategic communications support.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Fenton Communications: Fenton is one of the largest independent social-change PR and communications firms in the US, serving nonprofits, foundations, and advocacy organizations. Directly comparable to Mission Partners in client base (foundations, advocacy groups) and core offerings (PR, campaign development, strategic communications), though operating at a much larger scale.
• Burness: Burness is a communications firm supporting nonprofits, foundations, and social impact organizations with PR, narrative, and campaign work. Closely mirrors Mission Partners' client mix and service set, including foundations and policy nonprofits, and is a frequent co-bidder on the same RFPs.
• Spitfire Strategies: Spitfire is a strategic communications firm that works with nonprofits, foundations, and philanthropies on messaging, campaign strategy, and narrative change. Highly comparable to Mission Partners in target market (foundation and nonprofit communications), service mix (messaging, campaign development), and equity-centered positioning.
• Hattaway Communications: Hattaway is a strategic communications firm that helps purpose-driven organizations sharpen their narrative and strategy. Comparable to Mission Partners in serving foundations and nonprofits with strategic communications, narrative change, and audience research engagements.
• Big Duck: Big Duck is a branding and communications firm that specializes exclusively in serving nonprofits. Direct peer in niche positioning (nonprofit-only), service set (branding, messaging, campaign work), and target buyer (nonprofit leadership teams).
• Resonance Agency: Resonance is a women-owned, B Corp-certified communications firm serving mission-driven brands, nonprofits, and social enterprises. Directly comparable to Mission Partners in B Corp positioning, women-owned ownership, and target client base of purpose-driven organizations.

Broad incumbents

• GMMB: GMMB is a large full-service communications and advocacy firm that serves nonprofits, foundations, advocacy groups, and political causes. Overlaps with Mission Partners on nonprofit and foundation communications but operates at much larger scale and with broader paid-media, digital, and direct-response capabilities.
• BerlinRosen: BerlinRosen is a major progressive public relations and strategic communications firm. Comparable to Mission Partners in serving mission-driven organizations and advocacy work but is a broad incumbent with significantly larger headcount and a wider service portfolio.

Others

• The Communications Network: The Communications Network is a membership organization for nonprofit communicators. Adjacent rather than directly competitive: it serves as a professional community and learning network for the same buyer audience that Mission Partners sells to, making it a useful ecosystem comparator for buyer-side benchmarking.

Emerging players

• Casa Employment Strategies: A smaller emerging player focused on strategic communications and consulting for nonprofit and social impact organizations. Comparable to Mission Partners in size and niche focus on the social impact sector, though with narrower service breadth.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/missionprtnrs
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/missionforwardpodcast
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mission-partners-llc
• Instagraminstagram.com/carriefoxpr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mission Partners