Elevating Local Leadership. Strengthening Global Response.
Crescendo International is a specialized humanitarian advisory firm dedicated to strengthening locally led action, improving crisis response, and helping global organizations turn insight into impact. Drawing on more than four decades of frontline humanitarian experience, Crescendo supports foundations, civil society networks, and community-based organizations to design smarter strategies, build effective systems, and amplify the voices of those closest to crises.
We partner with local actors as peers—co-designing solutions that reflect lived realities and drive lasting change.
Our Services
1. Strategic Advisory for Donors, Foundations & Global Networks
We help senior decision-makers navigate complex humanitarian landscapes, sharpen their strategies, and make informed investments.
Recent work includes:
Biweekly Humanitarian Crisis Monitoring Reports for the Gates Foundation, bringing to light and prioritizing the most urgent humanitarian trends and crisis in the world.
Development of portfolio strategies, contingency planning, and learning products for major philanthropic donors.
High-level briefs and presentations on emerging crises (Sudan, Chad, Haiti, Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen, South Sudan, Philippines, etc.).
Crescendo specializes in concise, actionable analysis—the kind leaders can use the same day.
2. Localization, Research & Evidence Generation
Crescendo is globally recognized for its expertise in localization and shifting power within the humanitarian system.
Services include:
Large-scale global research, such as leading the Let Your Voice Be Heard II 10-year study with regional experts from Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. (MEET the team List the team with photo and bio)
Designs and facilitation of participatory surveys, mixed-method studies, and community-informed monitoring systems.
Technical support to networks like NEAR on learning frameworks, evidence synthesis, and donor engagement.
Our work prioritizes local narratives, local definitions of success, and locally owned research processes.
3. Early Warning, Preparedness, and Community-Led Resilience
Crescendo supports organizations and indigenous communities working at the intersection of technology, community and ancestorial knowledge, and disaster risk reduction.
Core competencies:
Advisory support for AI-enabled early warning systems, including the PULSE project in Guatemala and the Philippines.
Design and implementation of indigenous communities in the America to share ancestreal knowledge on best ways to combat climate change.
Integration of community-generated data with national and global early warning systems.
Strengthening feedback loops between indigenous communities, local NGOs, and technical partners.
Guidance on ethical data practices, and inclusive design.
We help bridge the gap between advanced analytics and real-world community decision-making.
4. Organizational Strengthening & Capacity Development
Crescendo provides tailored support to NGOs, networks, and community organizations seeking to grow, adapt, or reposition themselves.
Support areas include:
Fundraising Course and workshops for local organizations
Coaching on how to move from Cultivation to fundraising.
Governance coaching
Monitoring, evaluation & learning (MEL) system design
Financial systems strengthening and donor compliance
Facilitation of strategic reviews, after-action learning, and partnership frameworks
We blend organizational development with deep humanitarian experience, giving leaders tools they can use immediately.
5. Facilitation, Convening & High-Impact Communication
Crescendo designs and delivers the kind of meetings and retreats that shift thinking, build alignment, and move people to action. Crescendo works with governments, private sector and civil society organizations.
Offerings include:
High-level convenings (Foundation convenings of partners and stakeholders)
Strategic retreats for NGOs, networks, and foundations
Participatory workshops using evidence-based facilitation methods
Concept notes, crisis briefs, and board presentations
Multilingual communication strategies for global audiences
Crescendo’s involvement allows leaders to take full advantage of the topics and the people at the convening, and not the logistics or process.
6. Program Design, Grantmaking Support & Portfolio Management
We help donors and networks design programs that reflect community realities and deliver measurable impact.
Examples include:
Support to philanthropic grantmaking processes (proposal review, partner selection, due diligence)
Design and refinement of mechanisms like NEAR’s Change Fund
Compliance support, close-out processes, and learning documentation
Our approach ensures clarity, accountability, and partnership, not paperwork-driven oversight.
Our Approach
At Crescendo, every engagement reflects three core principles:
Locally Led by Design
We position local organizations, as drivers of strategy, research, and resource allocation.
Actionable by Default
Every output is designed for immediate use: concise briefs, ready-to-share slide decks, bilingual products, clear decisions.
Collaborative and Human
We prioritize relationships, empathy, and trust. The best humanitarian solutions are built with people, not for them.
Let’s Work Together
Crescendo International partners with foundations, civil society networks, research institutions, and frontline responders who are committed to transforming the humanitarian system from the inside out.
If you want to deepen your impact, amplify local leadership, and make decisions grounded in evidence and realism—we’re here to help.