About Matthew

Turning Data Into Decisions That Change Lives

Hi, I’m Matthew Courtney.

I help mission-driven organizations turn vision into measurable impact. My work in nonprofit strategic planning and program evaluation is built on a career dedicated to using research and data to drive meaningful change.

I didn’t start out in boardrooms or at conference podiums. My journey began in a sweltering elementary school classroom on a July afternoon in rural Kentucky. As a first-year music teacher, I met students whose stories changed the trajectory of my life:

Jonathan, who had moved so often he hadn’t learned the alphabet.
Sammie, who came to school first for a meal, then for an education.
Darrell, who taught me to approach challenges with humor.
Jocelyn, who showed me that patience can be the purest form of care.

Each child taught me that lasting impact comes from understanding the people you serve, setting bold goals, and relentlessly tracking progress toward them.

Book a Discovery Call

From Classrooms to Communities

Over the years, my work has taken me from teaching to building systems that help schools, nonprofits, and community organizations succeed. I’ve:

Founded a nonprofit, served as executive director for three others, and held leadership roles on more boards than I can count—including Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary.
Led program evaluations that uncovered critical insights and shaped million-dollar funding decisions in fields ranging from education and substance use to public health and community organizing.
Facilitated strategic planning processes that brought diverse teams together around a shared mission and measurable goals.
Developed tools and training that empower leaders to use data not just for reporting, but for real-time decision-making.

I’ve worked at every level of the system—from grassroots community initiatives to state-level policy design—helping organizations connect their mission to measurable results.

My Approach

I believe every nonprofit deserves:

A clear roadmap that connects day-to-day work to long-term impact.
Reliable, actionable data to guide decisions.
The confidence to tell funders, stakeholders, and the community, “Here’s the difference we’re making—and here’s the proof.”

For me, strategic planning and program evaluation aren’t check-the-box exercises. They’re the backbone of continuous improvement—ensuring your mission stays on track, your resources are focused, and your impact grows year after year.