- Mid-sized and family foundations are particularly challenged to institute best practices and avoid the appearance of conflict of interest when deciding on compensation for officers and trustees. Abruzzo Associates has developed a methodology to assist the boards of these organizations to eliminate the appearance of a conflict of interest. Abruzzo Associates also consults on and installs best practices in compensation, providing a template for foundations to award compensation in a fair, comparable and reasonable manner.

- Nonprofit organizations are coming under scrutiny by the press, donors and outside agencies to provide appropriate compensation for their senior management. As the form 990 creates an even more transparent environment, the nonprofit must ensure that its practices are fair, reasonable, defensible and strategic.

Abruzzo Associates can assist in meeting the challenge faced by nonprofits of acquiring and retaining senior management talent. These approaches require innovative compensation including the use of "stay bonuses," SERPs, pay for performance and other methods for remaining competitive.

Abruzzo Associates has also assisted dozens of nonprofit organizations who wish to renegotiate or extend contacts with their senior executives.

When senior executives are recruited to a new position, the executive search firm represents the organization in the negotiations. The recruited executive is often employing a general attorney to review their employment contract. Abruzzo Associates acts on behalf of the executive and the organization as a go-between so that the negotiations proceed smoothly, the needs of the executive are met and the negotiations are concluded while retaining good will among the parties. In addition to suggesting compensation schedules that meet the particular personal needs of the executive, Abruzzo Associates also protects the executive's severance and related clauses.

This service is also useful for the executive whose board wishes to extend or alter their employment contract.

James Abruzzo has served as an expert witness in two separate nonprofit employee dismissals (for the plaintiffs in both cases).

- James Abruzzo has also been an expert witness representing the Friends of the Court in the Barnes Foundation suit against the State of Pennsylvania.

Over the last 15 years new performing arts centers, museums, science centers, zoos and aquaria have been planned as a means for redevelopment of cities or revitalization of downtowns. Before undertaking such large capital expenses, cities and public-private partnerships conduct feasibility studies. Abruzzo Associates has worked with dozens of these institutions to conduct initial feasibility studies, thought pieces and full blown business plans to assist in the decision-making and planning. Following are some examples.

- For a performing arts center owned by a municipality in an urban center, Abruzzo Associates conducted a pre-feasibility study for the board of directors. The study examined the strengths and challenges of the performing arts center, and demonstrated the relationship between program choices and financial implications.

- For a fast growing city in Florida, Abruzzo Associates worked with the city, a private group, and a team consisting of architects, acousticians and developers to create a thought piece. Abruzzo Associates also facilitated meetings among the interested parties and with interested constituent groups to build consensus around the project. As part of this project, Abruzzo Associates also conducted a feasibility study to determine the best uses for the city-owned performing arts center and offered scenarios for future operations.

- James Abruzzo and his team conducted the initial business plan for the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, projecting staffing needs, building a model for program costs and fixed costs, and a timeline for the operational part of the project. The business plan, produced two years prior to opening, was within 2% of the actual costs of the new center.

- James Abruzzo and his team worked with a visionary in Iowa to develop his plans for an educational and scientific center with a focus on the study of Bonobo apes. The feasibility and planning led to the $60 million Iowa Child project.

- For the National Aquarium in Baltimore James Abruzzo and his team conducted a study to determine the feasibility of building an additional aquarium in Ocean County, MD. James Abruzzo's team also oversaw the National Aquarium team to decide on the acquisition of a nearby science institution.

- James Abruzzo and his team provided a business planning model for the Schauspielhaus (concert hall in former East Berlin) that was migrating from a government-run company to a private enterprise.

- For the Terra Foundation for American Art, James Abruzzo and his team led the board through a planning exercise to determine whether to build a new museum or create a foundation. As part of this exercise, James Abruzzo and his team wrote a white paper on the status of American art abroad and presented it to the foundation board and management. After a decision was made, Abruzzo Associates assisted in the development of a new mission and business plan for the foundation and has since provided ongoing consultation to the management team.

- The George Eastman House was contemplating a capital expansion. Abruzzo Associates recommended a business/strategic plan to the organization to help determine the space needs following the understanding of the strategic directions. The result was a lengthy planning process involving board and staff committees and the development of a comprehensive plan for transforming the museum into a global institution of higher education with partnerships with other universities and exhibition spaces. To prepare the organization for the planning process, Abruzzo Associates researched and wrote a white paper on the state of photography and film.