About
We partner with philanthropists and social sector leaders to build a profoundly better world.
Third Plateau is an impact consultancy on a mission to build lasting social good.
Co-founded in 2011 by Mike Berkowitz, Daniel Kaufman, and Jonathan Kaufman, Third Plateau is known for its innovative work with foundations, families, nonprofit leaders, social entrepreneurs, and the public sector.
Third Plateau’s integrated approach strengthens the full ecosystem that powers social good. Our work spans democracy, faith, education, health, social justice, the environment, arts and culture, local government, and beyond. We partner with leaders ready to build lasting change, applying the same innovative spirit that led to our recognition as one of Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators.
We build the infrastructure of change from strategy through implementation, enabling philanthropy and social sector leaders to achieve lasting impact. Our experts provide a holistic range of services, including strategy, grantmaking, advising, planning, research, evaluation, outsourced management, leadership development, and facilitation.
Changemakers and philanthropists turn to Third Plateau for the clarity, strategy, and collaboration needed to create lasting impact — not just fixing what’s broken, but building what’s possible.
We believe that a profoundly better world where everyone thrives is not only an aspiration, it’s a moral imperative. To get there, we must dream big, build powerful partnerships, and stay laser-focused on real impact.
Our Team
Smart. Real. Trusted. Meet the experts and good people ready to be your partner in change.
Our Clients
From foundations and philanthropists to nonprofits, social entrepreneurs, and the public sector, our clients are shaping lasting social good.
Since I began working with Third Plateau, I’ve gained a level of strategic clarity about my philanthropy that I couldn’t have imagined.
Partnering with Third Plateau on our philanthropy helps us understand where we can make the greatest impact. With the team’s expertise, management, and passion, we’ve made strategic changes to our funding approaches.
Third Plateau was an excellent facilitator for our Democracy Action Lab. Their extensive network provided compelling speakers with critical insights, supporting our members to become more impactful. I enthusiastically recommend partnering with this exceptionally dependable, capable, responsive team.
Third Plateau brought a thoughtful and expert approach to help us understand the complex needs of our global grantees. They were a true strategic partner. Thanks to their guidance, we not only have a clear path forward, but I also feel empowered to lead our philanthropic efforts more effectively.
Third Plateau was a true partner to PACE. Their expert team was highly responsive and genuinely collaborative. Together, we developed a funding guide on faith and democracy that translated a complex and sensitive topic into a clear, practical resource.
Third Plateau partnered with us to design and carry out a rigorous, robust program evaluation, giving us actionable information about what we could celebrate, where we might improve, and changes we might make to deepen participant and partner experience.
Our Services
We offer deep expertise and a wide range of services in one place.
Transformative Philanthropy
Third Plateau has managed over $2 billion in philanthropic investments for families, individuals, and foundations through meaningful and effective giving. Our custom services include philanthropic advising, grantmaking, program design, impact evaluation, governance, and full-service foundation outsourced staffing.
Impactful Organizations
Third Plateau strengthens organizations and leaders, helping them stay healthy, adaptable, and equipped with the tools and evidence to drive lasting change. Our tailored support delivers what organizations truly need, from strategy and planning to research, evaluation, facilitation, coaching, and in-house support.