Third Plateau Social Impact Strategies

What is Third Plateau?

Third Plateau is a full-service social impact and philanthropy consulting firm that partners with bold visionaries to drive meaningful and sustainable change. Our comprehensive services include strategic planning, philanthropic advising, foundation management, program design, research and evaluation, leadership development, network management, and foundation back-office support.

In 2023, Hirsch Philanthropy Partners – one of the first philanthropic advising firms in the U.S. – joined with Third Plateau, uniting two industry-leading teams. Together, we work with the nonprofit, philanthropic, and public sectors to craft enduring strategies that achieve transformative, community-centered impact.

Our work at Third Plateau creates progress toward a world that doesn't yet exist but we know is possible – a brighter, uplifting, and more equitable world for all. We are recognized for influential projects within the fields of democracy, education, health, social justice, the environment, technology, arts and culture, faith, and more. Third Plateau is also home to the Democracy Funders Network and the Democracy Communications Fund.

Co-founded in 2011 by Mike Berkowitz, Daniel Kaufman, and Jonathan Kaufman, Third Plateau is known for its innovative work with a broad cross-section of organizations, coalitions, and philanthropists. Hirsch Philanthropy Partners was founded by Susan Mayer Hirsch in 1999 and is one of the best-regarded philanthropic advising teams in the U.S. Our philanthropic advisors work with individuals, families, and foundations to create and implement visionary giving strategies.

Some of our clients include Alianza for Youth Justice, Cal and Rebecca Henderson, Covered California, FThree Foundation, Fisher family, Hewlett Foundation, Hellman Foundation, James Beard Foundation, Jim Joseph Foundation, John Pritzker Family Fund, Los Angeles Philharmonic, McEvoy family, NDN Collective, New Pluralists, O2 Initiatives, Pritzker Innovation Fund, Ray and Dagmar Dolby Family Fund, Repair the World, Resetting The Table, Teach Access, and The Breakthrough Institute.