The Wright Group NY

Not all heroes wear capes. Nonprofit organizations perfectly demonstrate this, championing the numerous underinvested communities across the five boroughs of New York City. To ensure their voices are heard, these organizations often engage in political advocacy, build relationships with policymakers and officials, and encourage government agencies and legislatures to be more responsive to social issues and problems—not a simple task.

Championing the champions, The Wright Group (TWG) NY has a distinctive mission— the exclusive representation of nonprofit organizations to advocate for the justice and equity of underserved communities in the state of New York. It is a government relations consulting firm that aids organizations in bridging the gap to government officials by developing mutually beneficial relationships and partnerships that ultimately reinforce the message they’re trying to convey.
“We believe deeply in partnership, and our work is done in a values-based way, with our principles rooted in equity and justice, representation, accountability, and transparency,” says Larisa Wick, President of The Wright Group NY.

Guiding Nonprofits through the Political Terrain

When a crane accident threatened the safety of a shelter on a New York City block, TWG stepped in to aid more than 100 homeless youths. In coordination with its client, TWG swiftly reached out to elected officials and state and city agencies for support. By creatively mobilizing resources to secure temporary housing and food, it ensured shelter residents had a place to call home until they could return to their building.

TWG serves a diverse clientele in New York City, including prominent cultural institutions like Carnegie Hall and the Universal Hip Hop Museum, and nonprofits with missions that support the essential needs of New Yorkers, including housing, legal services, domestic violence, youth empowerment, and aging sectors. These collaborations drive citywide transformation, promoting equity and a just urban landscape for all New Yorkers.

Because TWG’s clients are all nonprofit organizations, many initially lack the bandwidth and infrastructure needed to thoughtfully engage the political or government relations aspects of their work. A core objective for the company is to aid clients by familiarizing them with the political and legislative landscape and facilitating the cultivation of relationships with elected government officials and staff. This emphasis on education and empowerment underlies TWG’s approach with all clients.

Client engagement is a priority for TWG, an area overseen by Chief of Staff Emily Contillo. At the onset of a new client relationship, it enacts a comprehensive and rigorous onboarding priority. Clients are initially provided with a tangible roadmap to facilitate a successful start to bring about justice and equity. TWG then offers targeted training programs, such as Legislative Policy 101 or Budget 101 sessions, which shed light on the complexities of the governmental arena.

One-on-one sessions familiarize clients with the nuances of interacting with elected officials and state agencies and prepare them for pivotal events like lobby days. The ultimate goal is to establish them as reliable pillars of support for elected officials whenever community-related issues or challenges emerge. Through these efforts, TWG strives to elevate its clients to the status of policy partners. When the need for community assistance arises among constituents, elected officials can turn to these clients as the primary resource to address concerns, empowering them as vital players in policy matters and community assistance endeavors.

One of TWG’s standout initiatives to foster robust client engagement is the “A Seat at The Table” program, which is conducted bi-monthly. This program gathers a carefully curated group of nonprofit leaders, offering a collaborative space for resource sharing, best practice dissemination, networking, and cultivating relationships. It was designed based on the company’s firm belief that the potency of client impact is maximized when collectively harnessed. This synergy generates a transformative effect that reverberates across partnerships and initiatives due to a multifaceted engagement model firmly rooted in TWG’s community-building ethos.

“We see our work as a complement to advancing a client’s mission and strategic plans,” says Kristin K. Ruggles, a Director of TWG and lead for the firm’s State practice.
Empowering Youths to Drive Transformation

An example of a prosperous partnership is TWG’s collaboration with PowerPlay NYC, a citywide institution serving girls and gender-nonconforming youth. PowerPlay offers sports-based after-school and summer programs complemented by leadership development, mentorship, college access guidance, mental health resources, financial literacy education, and resume-building support. The goal is to empower the youth to thrive authentically and achieve their full potential.

TWG’s partnership with PowerPlay began thirteen years ago when the organization was a pro bono client. That first year, it was awarded discretionary member items from city council members, enabling localized program expansion in New York City council districts. Over time, TWG continued to secure funding support, culminating in a notable achievement—a $1 million budget allocation from the city council to extend programming citywide, across 51 council districts.

Capacity issues meant PowerPlay would not be able to use the full funding without modification. TWG advised they adopt a collaborative model addressing the issue by forming partnerships with five organizations whose work focused on serving young women and gendernonconforming youth. This approach effectively distributed the $1 million across diverse programs, enhancing PowerPlay’s credibility and fundraising opportunities.

This groundbreaking collaboration with the New York City Council laid the groundwork for more transformative partnerships for the client. Today, PowerPlay boasts associations with global giants like Nike, a testament to the profound impact of TWG’s strategic guidance. Its ability to encourage the client to visualize the broader strategic landscape was pivotal in generating these remarkable outcomes. The ripple effects have redefined youth development for underserved communities within the city and facilitated powerful alliances that have reshaped the organizational landscape.

Upholding a Legacy of Community-Building

TWG’s values-based approach to community-building stems from the influence of its late founder, John Wright. Renowned as an exceptional connector, Wright’s style reflected that of a conductor, orchestrating meaningful and purpose-driven interactions among individuals. His talent in forging connections brought forth the most authentic versions of those within his circle. He passionately nurtured the team’s fervor for its mission. It is this unwavering drive, dedication, and commitment to the foundational principles and tasks that continue to propel TWG forward.

The Wright Group is committed to honoring John’s legacy by serving and uplifting it through its actions and endeavors. It has instituted a diligent approach to decision-making rooted in its core tenets, where every choice undergoes careful evaluation through a values-based process. It questions whether decisions align with the firm’s identity as a representation of its values and whether they resonate with the communities its clients serve.

This personal connection enables the team at TWG to carry out their tasks meaningfully, honorably, and in transformative ways. Each member of its dedicated staff holds a commitment to forging long-term engagements by nurturing enduring relationships with clients. The goal is to establish a cycle of continuous collaboration that can significantly influence policy and decision-making, and drive lasting change.

TWG’s approach thrives on collaborative engagement with government stakeholders and clients. This ethos is the bedrock of its values-driven identity. Its work is not merely functional, but resonates with equity, justice, representation, accountability, transparency and, above all, partnership. In embracing these ideals, TWG becomes a beacon of ethical lobbying, advocating for positive change and aiding nonprofits on their journey to bring about equity and justice for their clients.