Great nonprofit brands are built from the ground up.
We’re nimble, practical, and refreshingly direct—
balancing big ideas with the realities of running a nonprofit.
With strategy leading the way, your mission can go further, faster.
HEY! WE’RE GROUNDSWELL.
We help nonprofits turn vision
into momentum—
through strategy, messaging, campaigns, and creative that actually move the mission forward.
Where we start sets us apart: clear thinking, aligned teams, and a plan that makes every external signal count.
Every great cause deserves the same sharp strategy and creative that big companies rely on.
I’ve led brand strategy and campaigns for Google, Yahoo!, and dozens of nonprofits and schools across the country.
At GroundSwell, I bring big-picture thinking and roll-up-your-sleeves practicality—so you get smart, nimble strategy that fits the realities of nonprofit work.
Outside of work, I spend time with my husband, two kids, and scruffy senior pup. I serve on the board of the Sexual Assault Resource Center in Portland, tend to an overly ambitious vegetable garden, and will take any opportunity to SCUBA dive.
STEPHANIE SWAIN
FOUNDER
Who We Build With
No one-size-fits-all teams here. GroundSwell brings in trusted designers, developers, co-strategists, writers, and DEI advisors as needed—people who share our values and show up ready to dig deep and deliver strategy that sticks and creative that compels.
We build teams that match your goals, your budget, and the moment you're in.
What Grounds Us?
OUR VALUES
THINK FIRST
We start with a pause. A beat. A question. We take the time to understand context before offering answers—because the right next step requires knowing where you’re starting from.
STAY CURIOUS
Curiosity keeps the work alive. We ask better questions, explore unexpected angles,
and make space for joy—even (especially) when the work gets hard.
MAKE IT MAKE SENSE
Strategy should cut through complexity—not create more of it. Sharp thinking, direct language, and a clear point of view that helps you move with focus and confidence.
BUILD IT TOGETHER
The best work isn’t handed off—it’s built side by side. We bring deep expertise, and we trust yours, too. We listen closely, speak plainly, and make sure the right voices are part of the process from the start.