Here at Center 615, innovation and community go hand in hand. Located just across the bridge from Downtown Nashville at the entrance to East Nashville, our three-building coworking campus is where local professionals, creatives, and entrepreneurs come together to create, collaborate, and thrive. With inspiring workspaces, private offices, and onsite meeting rooms, plus an endless list of amenities and an array of restaurants, galleries, cafés, and boutiques just steps away, our members enjoy a work-life balance that’s as abundant as the neighborhood itself.
This month, we’re spotlighting Elevate Consulting, a full-service consulting and capacity-building firm that helps mission-driven organizations and groups (including nonprofits, foundations, and government entities) design and implement strategies that strengthen communities and drive equitable social change.
Let’s hear from the team at Elevate Consulting about what fuels their mission and what they love most about being headquartered here at Center 615.
How long have you been at Center 615?
Elevate Consulting has been at Center 615 on and off for the past 8 years. We’ve been in our current office for 2 years now!
What drew you to working in nonprofit consulting in the first place?
After spending several years working at a nonprofit, we became passionate about finding a better way forward to build capacity in data & evaluation that aligns to an organizational strategy. We saw an opportunity to provide those services and love to explore every opportunity we can to collaborate with clients so that we’re working toward great systems of change for all.
What is your favorite thing about what you do?
Anytime we get time away to be in nature, read a book, enjoy a beautiful view, we gain perspective and peace that fuels us for the next thing.
What have been some of your biggest challenges in business and life?
The nonprofit sector, both locally and nationally, has recently faced one of its most challenging periods in over a decade. Shifts in federal funding priorities, coupled with the elimination or reduction of government funding and cultural/political narratives questioning the integrity of nonprofit work have created significant upheaval, uncertainty, and apprehension across the field.
In response, Elevate has made supporting its clients the top priority. This has included pivoting project focus toward strategic and scenario planning to help organizations navigate these complex circumstances. Elevate has also been actively leading and participating in city- and state-wide conversations with nonprofits and philanthropic institutions to address these collective challenges.
Where do you do your best work/what is your ideal work setup?
We love variety! We have two suites at C615 and you can often find our team working from the various nooks and crannies throughout C615. Having close proximity to coffee, snacks, plenty of desk space, and a free whiteboard for brainstorming is the ideal set-up.
What’s your favorite amenity that Center 615 offers?
Our team really enjoys all of the workspace available to anyone in the office! Sometimes getting out of your office and getting a change in scenery is necessary, and there are lots of options around the C615 building where you can drop down. My personal favorite spot is the library lounge upstairs! It feels like working in a coffee shop, and the vibes are sublime.
Do you have a favorite meeting room at Center 615?
All of the meeting rooms are so unique, but I really love Vogon! It’s a popular one, so getting to have meetings there makes its design and ambience feel like a reward.
What do you think about the weekly ginger shots?
I honestly look forward to them! Getting that little zing in the middle of my work week is sometimes just what I need to get over that hump.
What are some of your favorite places to visit in East Nashville and the surrounding area?
We are big fans of the C615 neighbors (Grekko, Hawkers, East Park Donuts)! Coffee or working meetings from Frothy Monkey is always great, too. You can also find us grabbing lunch from Mas Tacos or a bagel from the new East Nashville location of Crieve Hall Bagel. We’re honestly surrounded by awesome food places and fun hangout spots that you can’t go wrong on the Eastside!
At Elevate Consulting, we are committed to helping organizations and communities maximize their impact through connection, learning, and action. We’ve been lucky to work with so many amazing organizations here in town — from small organizations like MOVE Inclusive Dance and the Barbershop Harmony Society to large institutions like Vanderbilt, the Community Foundation, and the United Way.
Center 615 is proud and honored to serve as a home base for the incredible team at Elevate Consulting, and we look forward to watching them continue to achieve great things in Nashville and beyond.
If you’d like to learn more about Center 615, book a tour today. You should be a part of this!
