Jonathan Kaufman

Jonathan Kaufman is the Co-Founder and Principal of Third Plateau, a consulting firm that assists left-of-center nonprofits.12 Here are some key details about his background and career:

Professional Experience

Jonathan Kaufman co-founded Third Plateau in January 2011 and has been serving as its Principal for over 13 years.2 The firm provides consulting services to various organizations, including large foundations and smaller foundations for which they act as de facto full-time staff.1

Prior to Third Plateau, Kaufman's entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-found several other ventures:

• Perfect College Fit, Inc. (2012-2017): An online tool to assist students and parents with the college search process.2
• 360 Philanthropy Advisors (2009-2010)2

Education

Kaufman has a strong educational background in both liberal arts and business:

• BA in Religion and Political Science from Vassar College (2000-2004)
• MBA in Nonprofit Management and Social Entrepreneurship from Washington University in St. Louis - Olin Business School (2009-2011)2

Career Philosophy

In a 2021 interview, Kaufman described his career goal as finding ways to have "the greatest social impact" with his energy, time, and money.1 He initially considered electoral politics but found he "didn't like the gamble of elections." This led him to pursue humanitarian nonprofit work before deciding to run his own nonprofit, which ultimately inspired him to earn an MBA and discover consulting as a career path.1

Recent Developments

In November 2023, Third Plateau merged with Hirsch Philanthropy Partners, expanding the organization's leadership to include co-founders and principals Mike Berkowitz, Daniel Kaufman (Jonathan's brother), and Susan Hirsch, alongside Jonathan Kaufman.1

Jonathan Kaufman's career trajectory demonstrates a consistent commitment to social impact and nonprofit work, leveraging his education and experience to build and lead organizations focused on creating positive change.