Third Plateau (sometimes called Third Plateau Social Impact Strategies) is a consulting firm that assists left-of-center nonprofits. Its clients have included the Democracy Funders Network, the Pritzker Innovation Fund, and the NDN Collective.

According to co-founder Jonathan Kaufman, Third Plateau both consults on specific projects for large foundations and serves as de facto full-time staff for smaller foundations. ¹

History and Activities

In a 2021 interview, Third Plateau co-founder Jonathan Kaufman described his ultimate career goals: “How can I have the greatest social impact with the energy and time and money I can invest?” Kaufman first considered electoral politics but found he “didn’t like the gamble of elections.” Kaufman then did humanitarian nonprofit work for years until he decided to run his own nonprofit. This prompted Kaufman to earn a Master of Business Administration where he states that he discovered consulting and decided to form Third Plateau. ² In November 2023, it was announced that philanthropy advisory group Hirsch Philanthropy Partners would merge with Third Plateau as part of its organization. As of 2024, the two groups are now one with the leadership consisting of co-founders and principals Mike Berkowitz, Daniel Kaufman, Jonathan Kaufman, and Susan Hirsch. ^{3 4}

As of 2024, in addition to the Democracy Funders Network, Third Plateau’s website lists several initiatives managed by its “democracy team.” One is the “Democracy Communications Fund,” a donor fund that claims to invest in “research and communications to build public support for U.S. democracy…[and] building trust in democratic institutions.” ⁵ Another listed is “Patriots & Pragmatists,” a space for “civic leaders and influencers” to collaborate in efforts to “revitalize our democracy.” ⁶

Clients

Third Plateau’s clients have included the Pritzker Innovation Fund, Repair the World, the San Francisco Public Schools, ⁷ the Pacific Pension Institute, the Penny Family Fund, Teach Access, the NDN Collective, the Population Change Institute, Improve Your Tomorrow, ⁸ the Arkay Foundation, the PopChange Institute, NewsMatch, the Golden 1 Credit Union, ⁹  and the Jim Joseph Foundation. ¹⁰

Third Plateau plays a key role in running the Democracy Funders Network (DFN). DFN’s executive director, deputy director, research director, program director, and administrative assistant are all Third Plateau employees. ^{11 12}

Leadership

Jonathan Kaufman is a co-founder and principal of Third Plateau. Kaufman co-founded Perfect College Fit, an online college application tool, in 2012 and left the organization in 2017. Previously, Kaufman co-founded 360 Philanthropy Advisers in 2009 but left the organization the following year. Kaufman previously sat on the board of the One Percent Foundation. ¹³

Daniel Kaufman is a co-founder and principal of Third Plateau, as well as the older brother of Jonathan Kaufman. Daniel is a co-founder of the One Percent Foundation and previously served as general counsel for Revolution Prep, a tutoring company. ^{14 15}

Mike Berkowitz a co-founder and principal of Third Plateau, and through Third Plateau’s consulting, Berkowitz is also the executive director of the Democracy Funders Network, as well as a senior adviser to the John Pritzker Family Fund. From 2007 to 2015, Berkowitz co-founded and led the Giving Circles Fund, formerly known as the One Percent Foundation. From 2003 to 2010, Berkowitz worked as senior vice president for operations and strategy at the Bonner Group, where he oversaw fundraising for left-of-center nonprofit groups including the Center for American Progress, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, Media Matters for America, and the Sierra Club. ¹⁶

Erica Kashiri is the chief operating officer of Third Plateau. Kashiri previously worked as the director of workforce development for Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg (D). ¹⁷

Somoh Supharukchinda is the vice president of Third Plateau. She previously worked for the Colorado Department of Education and the New York City Department of Education. ¹⁸

1. Chernikoff, Helen. “Jonathan Kaufman of Third Plateau talks impact in work and life.” eJP. June 21, 2021. Accessed September 10, 2023. https://ejewishphilanthropy.com/jonathan-kaufman-of-third-plateau-talks-impact-in-work-and-life/.
2. Chernikoff, Helen. “Jonathan Kaufman of Third Plateau talks impact in work and life.” eJP. June 21, 2021. Accessed September 10, 2023. https://ejewishphilanthropy.com/jonathan-kaufman-of-third-plateau-talks-impact-in-work-and-life/.
3. “Hirsch Philanthropy Partners has joined with Third Plateau.” Third Plateau, November 2, 2023. https://thirdplateau.com/hirsch-philanthropy-partners-has-joined-with-third-plateau/
4. “About.” Third Plateau, November 2, 2023. https://thirdplateau.com/about/
5. “Democracy.” Third Plateau, Accessed September 25, 2024. https://thirdplateau.com/democracy/
6. “Democracy.” Third Plateau, Accessed September 25, 2024. https://thirdplateau.com/democracy/
7. Chernikoff, Helen. “Jonathan Kaufman of Third Plateau talks impact in work and life.” eJP. June 21, 2021. Accessed September 10, 2023. https://ejewishphilanthropy.com/jonathan-kaufman-of-third-plateau-talks-impact-in-work-and-life/.
8. “Proven Expertise.” Third Plateau. Accessed September 10, 2023. https://thirdplateau.com/services/network-management.
9. “Whitney Caruso.” Third Plateau. Accessed September 10, 2023. https://thirdplateau.com/about#whitney-caruso.
10. “Zafreen Jaffery.” Third Plateau. Accessed September 10, 2023. https://thirdplateau.com/about#zafreen-jaffery.
11. ^[1] “Team.” Democracy Funders Network. Accessed September 10, 2023. https://www.democracyfundersnetwork.org/.
12. “Imagining a better future for American democracy, with Suzette Brooks Masters.” Niskanen Center. January 4, 2023. Accessed September 10, 2023. https://www.niskanencenter.org/imagining-a-better-future-of-american-democracy-with-suzette-brooks-masters/.
13. “Jonathan Kaufman.” LinkedIn. Accessed September 10, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-kaufman-33662817.
14. Chernikoff, Helen. “Jonathan Kaufman of Third Plateau talks impact in work and life.” eJP. June 21, 2021. Accessed September 10, 2023. https://ejewishphilanthropy.com/jonathan-kaufman-of-third-plateau-talks-impact-in-work-and-life/.
15. “Daniel Kaufman.” LinkedIn. Accessed September 10, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielkaufman1?challengeId=AQE2HM04U3BgTwAAAYqBOg_MA8W2vc8prxv-mWu_fztbdVu5jCtUeaxGgvn6uHBBktBxjaL0MVlHV1sXRhQgQ4VbCMbDYRn-vA&submissionId=46623f1e-58aa-8317-2772-724126c4ef4f&challengeSource=AgGthTdeVCay3gAAAYqBOkz2W7zvSx0UV6iEb8IQkMRTxuwHMfxMaDs7CUfQBRA&challegeType=AgFwMiG-PJBiHAAAAYqBOkz5e8zT-QUO45cdaa3VBDy2292eLP5QW4w&memberId=AgHBwxh3vqQ8MgAAAYqBOkz8U2UC9IK1n-Itspjbemf2yw4&recognizeDevice=AgHtuWGPJ6aXngAAAYqBOkz_kAaZlAywyNcBfZLVjoB42KdVXLqs
16. “Mike Berkowitz.” LinkedIn. Accessed September 10, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-berkowitz-8b517927.
17. “Erica Kashiri.” Third Plateau. Accessed September 10, 2023. https://thirdplateau.com/about#erica-kashiri.
18. “Somoh Supharukchinda.” LinkedIn. Accessed September 10, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/somohsupharukchinda.