Theory of Change

A fortnightly newsletter of sharp reframes and tiny experiments to help you build a purpose-driven organisation funders trust, teams love, and communities actually need.

For people who want to change things.

It’s read by 1,000+ nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and programme managers responsible for funding, delivery, and impact (all at once, of course).

Each edition takes one real organisational headache, explains what’s actually going on beneath it, and ends with two tiny experiments you can try tomorrow.

If your fundraising feels reactive, your team is constantly firefighting, and your impact is harder to explain than it should be, Theory of Change might be the one newsletter you keep reading.

Yasir Khan

"Theory of Change is hands down one of my most useful and actionable regular reads."

Rhiannon Davies

"One of the few emails I genuinely look forward to. I always end up sharing or using something from it."

Tom Rowley

"I get perspective on the tired patterns of busy work, and can focus on changing them in small ways today."

Jessica Edwards

"Feels like such an act of generosity - thoughtful, insightful, & genuinely helpful, both professionally and personally."

Coco Gubbels

"My kind of newsletter!"

Alan Soon

"I love this newsletter. It has me checking my inbox every five minutes until it lands."

Who am I?

Hello, I'm Adam. I work with leaders, entrepreneurs, and creatives in nonprofits and philanthropy who are trying to change things - rebuilding broken systems, launching ambitious ideas, or steering organisations through challenging transitions.

If you’re reimagining your community, your organisation, or your purpose, you deserve more than encouragement. You need strategic support, sharp tools, and space to think. That’s where Evenly Distributed comes in.

I’ve started, scaled, and sold organisations across start-up, nonprofit, and corporate sectors. I’ve raised over €30m in philanthropic funding, won awards for technological innovation, and coached people through over 700 hours of high-stakes decisions, on everything from product launches and mission rewrites to impact investment strategies and organisational design.

I offer:

  • Advisory services for foundations and nonprofits designing programmes, launching funds, or leading complex change.

  • Coaching for founders and multi-hyphenates who need clarity, momentum, and a calm voice in the storm.

  • Tools and a weekly newsletter, Theory of Change, for changemakers who want frameworks, language, and insight to go further.

Despite *waves hands* everything that's happening right now, I’m fundamentally hopeful. A better future is possible and I’d love to help you build it.

What makes Theory of Change worth your inbox?

Theory of Change's average open rate is 60%+ every week for a reason. Every email is optimised for action. No link spam, no fluff, no filler. I respect both your time and your inbox.

More than just a reading list

This isn’t a roundup of interesting links. It’s a carefully crafted briefing: one idea, explored with context, insight, and real-world relevance, turning problems into immediate, actionable solutions.

Designed to stick

Methodical, beautiful breakdowns make complex ideas simple and memorable. Plus curated resources to help you go deeper if you’re curious!

Built for busy brains

Short enough to read in five minutes. Structured so you can scan, save, and apply. It’s the strategy newsletter for people with actual work to do.

Personal, not generic

This isn’t theory from a textbook. It’s what I’ve learned (and am still learning) from years of coaching, creating, leading (and getting things wrong).

No AI slop

Written by a human who cares. No generic prompts, no ChatGPT emoji lists, no content farming. Just thoughtful writing, shaped by real experience and a sense of humour.

Free tools for changemakers.

Access free. No charge, no upsells, no hidden fees.

  • Free

Future Perfect

Most mission and vision statements are too long, too vague, or too full of jargon to be useful. Yet when you get them right, they become a compass for your team, a magnet for funders, and a story your community can believe in. Future Perfect is a simple method for rewriting mission and vision statements so they’re clear, human and fit for purpose. This 15-page playbook helps you apply it to any project.

  • Free

Purpose & Profit Matrix

The Purpose & Profit Matrix is a simple strategic tool that maps out your revenue streams across four categories based on their stability and growth potential. It helps you pinpoint where to focus your energy—whether that’s doubling down on success, exploring new opportunities, or moving away from declining models. Free PDF download.

  • Free

Funder Match AI

An experimental AI assistant for nonprofit fundraisers. Enter your mission statement or project concept and the GPT will try to match you with aligned funders. Save time, focus efforts, and kickstart your fundraising efforts in seconds with access to structured data and intelligence on hundreds of funders.

My clients

Jim Mintz

SEEK Initiative

"Since Adam has been advising our team, we’ve set up a new European headquarters, hired our first team member, and developed a full-fledged fundraising strategy. An invaluable asset."

Ariadne Papagapitos

Lighthouse Reports

"Adam synthesises complex information & delivers concrete & practical advice, identifying opportunities & challenges well before they arise. His coaching was indispensable."

David Schraven

CORRECTIV

"Adam’s support went above and beyond what we could have hoped for. He provided deeply insightful revenue and market analyses that changed the way we saw our own organisation."

How can I support people like you directly?