Rooted in Generosity | Root & Branch Consulting

Why this matters to me

I have spent my life rallying people around causes.

Steph, founder of Root and Branch Consulting

Group in front of Liz's Birthday Closet box truck

Steph and Danielle at the Drive and Thrive car show

Steph with brothers Joe and Mike at the charity golf tournament

In 2000, when I was in 6th grade, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. I immediately joined our local American Cancer Society Relay for Life — and stayed for 19 years, becoming one of the top fundraisers they had. That experience taught me something I have never forgotten: people want to do good. They just need someone to set it up for them.

In 2019 I founded Sauers Cares, because I had outgrown cancer and wanted to help more nonprofits with more kinds of problems. We ran car shows, 5Ks, golf tournaments, and bingo events — each one raising money for a different organization and a very specific project. We overhauled a kitchen for a cancer organization that provides meals. We built a sensory playground for a local school. We purchased and wrapped a box truck for an organization that delivers birthday gifts to kids in need.

Later I founded Drive and Thrive, built on the belief that reliable transportation can change a person's life. We held car clinics, provided urgent repairs, and offered fuel assistance. The need was real and the demand was heavy — but eventually life circumstances made it impossible to sustain.

9 out of 10 times, if you have people who love you they will support what you are doing. They just need someone to set it up.

I have worn every hat. Founder. Board chair. Executive director. Event organizer. Nonprofit connector. I have spoken to recipients, built relationships with community organizations, and picked up every piece when others dropped the ball. And through all of it, the thing I kept seeing was the same: organizations that give back together grow stronger together. Their people show up differently. They feel proud of where they work or worship. Generosity does not just help the people receiving it. It changes the culture of the organization doing the giving.

This work is not behind me. It is informing everything I build at Root & Branch — and now I can help you do it too.

Who this is for

Two audiences. One calling.

Whether you run a business or lead a church — the desire to give back is already there. I help you make it intentional.

Small businesses

At our own company, our team did not just show up to charity events — they came alive. They used strengths they never got to use in their day-to-day role. They felt proud of where they worked. Generosity is not a feel-good expense. It is one of the most underutilized culture strategies a small business has.

If you want to give back but do not know where to start — which causes to support, how to structure it, or how to get your team genuinely excited — that is exactly what I help with.

Identify nonprofit partners that align with your values and community

Develop a giving structure that feels intentional, not reactive

Create team involvement that builds real morale and pride

Build a clear process for evaluating donation requests

Cultivate a giving culture your people are genuinely proud of

Churches & ministries

Church generosity is not just about writing checks. It is about how your congregation is living outward — through ministries that serve, events that invite people in, and programs that reach into your surrounding community. I am currently launching a meal ministry at the church I attend, so I am living this work right alongside you.

If your church wants to do more in the community but is not sure where to start or how to rally your people around it — that is exactly the conversation I want to have.

Develop outreach ministries that serve both inside and beyond your walls

Connect with local nonprofits that align with your mission

Create bridges that welcome people outside your church into something meaningful

Cultivate a generosity culture that extends well beyond Sunday

Align your leadership team around a shared community impact vision

How it works

A simple, focused two-session engagement.

No ongoing retainer. No complicated process. Just two focused conversations and a clear plan your organization can actually execute.

Session 1 — Discovery (60 min)

We talk through your organization's values, your team or congregation, your budget, what you have tried before, and what excites you. I listen a lot in this session. My job is to understand what generosity could look like for your specific organization — not a generic template.

Between sessions — My research

I do the work. I research nonprofit partners that align with your values and community. I sketch out a giving strategy. I think through how to involve your people. I come back with ideas, not just information.

Session 2 — Recommendations (30–60 min)

I walk you through what I found. Here are the organizations I think you should partner with and why. Here is how I would structure your giving. Here is how to get your team or congregation excited and involved. You leave with a clear direction.

Two focused sessions. One clear direction.

You walk away knowing exactly who to partner with, how to structure your giving, and how to get your people genuinely involved. No guessing. No generic advice.

$500 flat fee

Is giving back part of how your organization grows?Or is generosity still missing from your strategy?