How we decide who to work with
A behind-the-scenes look at how we assess alignment with potential clients and collaborators.
We use our Fit Snapshot—designed to help us make values-informed, practical decisions without judgment or rigidity.
Visualizing the spirit of the Fit Snapshot—thoughtful, values-aligned collaboration built on care, clarity, and mutual respect.
At Public Servants, we’re often asked how we decide which projects or partnerships to pursue. This post shares context on our internal process—not to brag, gatekeep, or pass judgment—but to provide clarity for those considering working with us.
We call this process the Fit Snapshot. It helps us reflect on the alignment between our mission and the work in front of us, considering both what an organization does and how they do it. Whether you're a prospective collaborator, funder, teammate, or client, this is our way of sharing how we think through these decisions with care.
“What matters most is whether there’s mutual respect, a willingness to grow, and a shared commitment to serving the public well.”
Why we built the Fit Snapshot
We’ve learned that not every opportunity, even those with good intentions, is the right fit.
So we created the Fit Snapshot, a simple tool we use to reflect on:
The societal impact of a potential partner’s work
The culture and leadership style of their organization
How they show up in relationships—with communities and with us
Whether the project itself is doable, responsible, and aligned with our capabilities
It helps us decide how and whether we can do meaningful work together—not just whether to say yes.
How it works, in brief
The Fit Snapshot isn’t about passing or failing. It’s a conversation tool grounded in care and accountability. We assess five key areas, then reflect on:
Impact profile: Does their work avoid harm, benefit society, or contribute to lasting change?
Partnership fit: Are they ready to collaborate well and respectfully?
We also consider whether a group is actively working on areas they struggle with, and if we’re being brought in to support that effort.
Why we’re sharing this
This process is mostly internal. But we’re sharing it here because:
Future employees might want to know how we evaluate potential work
Potential collaborators may wonder how we approach alignment
Curious clients might appreciate seeing the kind of reflection we ask of ourselves and others
We don’t think this process is perfect. But we’ve found that naming our intentions and working transparently goes a long way, especially in a sector that desperately needs to build and maintain trust.
Resources and acknowledgments
The Fit Snapshot is shaped by our experience building thoughtful, collaborative partnerships across teams and organizations. It also draws structural inspiration from frameworks we admire—particularly in how they organize values, impact, and accountability—including:
We’re grateful to the many people and organizations who have built thoughtful frameworks and shared them with the world. Their generosity shapes how we work, and reminds us we’re part of a broader community working toward better ways of doing good work.
What to expect if we’re in conversation
If you're talking with us about a potential project or partnership, you might not see the Fit Snapshot directly, but you’ll feel it in how we engage.
You can expect us to:
Ask thoughtful questions about the goals, impact, and context of the work
Listen for signs of shared values, care, and clarity
Be honest about what we do well, and what might not be a fit
Consider the collaboration, not just the contract
We don’t treat these conversations as checklists. The Fit Snapshot is just one way we reflect, with intention, on whether a relationship is worth pursuing. It’s a starting point for dialogue, not a final judgment. And like the work we do, it will continue to evolve.
We also know no organization is perfect. What matters most is whether there’s mutual respect, a willingness to grow, and a shared commitment to serving the public well.
If you're working on something meaningful—and trying to do it well—we’re always open to conversation.