The Make Workshop: Fail Forward

How to unstick an idea without scrapping your work.

Make: Prototyping

This hands-on day is all about building, breaking, tweaking, and testing ideas. Whether you’ve hit a roadblock or just want to pressure-test your prototype, we’ll help you use “failing forward” as a tool— not a setback. Bring your messiest idea — we’ll get it moving.

Got an idea that’s stuck? Good. That means it’s worth iterating.

What you’ll walk away with:

  • A refined prototype of your idea or initiative

  • Feedback loops and testing strategies

  • A mindset shift: progress over perfection

Perfect for:

  • Grantmakers

  • Team leads

  • Nonprofit program designers

  • Social entrepreneurs

What’s Your First Strategic Move?

  • I don't even know what the problem is...

    ✓ Book a clarity sprint with an outside facilitator.

    ✓ Ask the big question: "What's one thing we keep doing that doesn't serve us?"

  • We have a plan, but it's not guiding decisions.

    ✓ Turn your strategic plan into a weekly decision dashboard.

    ✓ Add reflection time to team meetings: "Are we working our strategy?"

  • We're stuck in operations.

    ✓ Audit your team's time: What % is urgent vs. strategic?

    ✓ Remove one recurring meeting or unnecessary approval step.

  • We have buy-in gaps.

    ✓ Map out your "influencers" and who really needs to be in the loop.

    ✓ Schedule 1-on-1s to uncover hidden resistance or burnout.

Still have Questions?