Hi, I’m Gina Marsh, and I have a passion to empower nonprofits to create positive change through advocacy.

 

I’m a nonprofit consultant, strategist, and trainer with more than 20 years of experience advancing community well-being through policy, partnership, and public service.

My career has taken me across both the nonprofit and public sectors.  I bring deep expertise in nonprofit advocacy, government relations, and public policy design. I’m especially passionate about helping nonprofit staff and board members collaborate and work together to solve problems and achieve impact.

My Leadership & Policy Work with Nonprofits

 

In my role as Executive Director of the Human Services Chamber of Hamilton County, I learned the power of advocacy and collective action in the nonprofit sector.  My first achievement was leading a successful campaign to increase local human services funding through ordinance—resulting in millions of additional dollars each year for nonprofit work.

 

I also helped secure funding for the Everybody Rides Metro program, which now provides $500,000 annually in free bus passes for low-income residents.  On the housing front, I helped lead efforts to design and fund eviction prevention programs that delivered rental assistance to families in need—before the pandemic response brought it into the spotlight.

 

Earlier in my career, I worked in leadership roles with the City of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. One of the projects I’m most proud of is leading the adoption and implementation of Cincinnati’s first electric and gas aggregation program, which saved residents hundreds of dollars per year on their utility bills.

Using My Advocacy and Facilitation Expertise to Enhance Nonprofit Impact

 

Today, through Marsh Solutions, I work with nonprofit leaders and coalitions to strengthen their advocacy strategies, develop bold solutions, and build relationships with government and community leaders.  Through facilitation, training, and expert advice, I help nonprofit leaders break down barriers and take bold steps forward.  I believe that advocacy is essential to nonprofit work, and I’m committed to ensuring that every organization—regardless of size—can participate in shaping the public policies that impact their work.

Gina is fantastic at building strong relationships with legislators and really knows her way around complex policy issues. She helped us connect with key decision-makers and always made sure we had smart, strategic advice. If you need someone who’s trusted, knowledgeable, and easy to work with, I highly recommend Gina.

Jeff O’Neil, President & CEO, Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services

As a new CEO stepping into a complex policy environment, I knew advocacy would be critical—but I didn’t know where to start.  After working with Gina, I better understood the advocacy landscape and the importance of approaching it with intention and strategy. By using relatable examples she was able to break down complexities in a way that hit home.  Her coaching was thoughtful, strategic, and always grounded in what would work best for our organization. Gina didn’t just help me find my voice—she helped me use it where it matters.

Patti Webb, President/CEO, Center for Addiction Treatment

Why Nonprofit Advocacy is Vitally Important

 

Nonprofits are the backbone of communities.  They create vibrant communities, support vulnerable citizens, create jobs, and ensure children have quality education.  They step in to address challenges that governments and businesses do not adequately solve.

 

Given their crucial role, nonprofits are uniquely positioned to advocate for their causes.  Through advocacy, nonprofits can:

  • educate policymakers about community issues;
  • request resources to expand their impact;
  • amplify community voices; and
  • urge changes to laws that create barriers for their clients to thrive.

How I Help Nonprofits Use Advocacy

 

I meet leaders where they are and offer flexible education, guidance, and leadership on a full range of advocacy activities.  My services include:

  • Training nonprofit leaders, staff, and board members how to advocate.
  • Leading internal teams to brainstorm a policy agenda or develop an advocacy plan.
  • Helping nonprofits build relationships with legislators and other policymakers.