Welcome to the Moonshot Institute

Over the years, I’ve had many leaders reach out, asking whether I’m available for thought partnership, research and development consulting, coaching, and/or feedback on projects—and I’ve been honored to serve and support organizations of many types around the world. However, being a university president requires significant time and focus, meaning that I am unable to do that type of work. While my current responsibilities often mean that I must decline almost all requests, I’ve created The Moonshot Institute Substack as a focused way to provide white papers, concept proposals, and research reports to support, inform, and inspire mission-minded innovation in education, workforce development, and related sectors.

For those interested in a deeper and more personalized engagement, I’ve created a pathway to Moonshot Institute memberships for a very limited number of people or organizations, which is described in greater detail below.

The Moonshot Institute Membership

The Moonshot Institute Membership is a highly selective and entirely confidential service and thought partnership platform for leaders, researchers, policymakers, and designers pursuing bold, transformative ventures. Whether you are launching a new school, designing innovative programs, venturing into a new education startup, working on the research and development of an education product or service, launching a new non-profit or think tank, working on a major public policy initiative, crafting a research or white paper for your organization, or reimagining the future of education, the Moonshot Institute is here to support your journey.

What I Offer

Free Substack Subscription

Subscribe for free to access to approximately 12 annual white papers, concept papers, and research reports. Additional shorter articles are also available in full text under the free subscription.

Moonshot Institute Membership

For those desiring personalized thought partnership, I offer the following membership benefits (distinct from the Substack subscription):

1. Personalized Thought Partnership and Mentoring: Receive up to four hours of one-on-one coaching per month to help refine your vision, overcome challenges, and accelerate impact.
2. Project Feedback and Support: Get expert input on your ventures, from strategy to execution, ensuring your ideas have the clarity and impact they need to succeed. This may include me providing draft concepts, ideas, and proposals to help achieve your stated goals.

Is a Moonshot Institute Membership Right for You?

Moonshot Institute Membership is designed for bold thinkers and leaders, including:

1. Founders of innovative schools, products, organizations, or programs.
2. Leaders, designers, researchers, and policymakers looking to make a transformative impact.
3. Entrepreneurs and visionaries reimagining what’s possible in education.

Exclusive Moonshot Institute Membership Plans

The Moonshot Institute works with a select group of visionary leaders pursuing bold, transformative initiatives in education, workforce development, think tanks, government agencies, and beyond. With over 30 years of experience, I bring a unique approach to thought partnership—helping leaders map possibilities, refine bold ideas, and tackle unseen challenges. Availability is highly limited to ensure the highest level of focus and value for each client.

How Being Considered for Moonshot Institute Membership Works

1. Reach Out First: Send me a message directly through Substack (see link at the bottom of this page) to start the conversation.
2. Complete a Personal Interview: I will take the time to learn about your goals, challenges, and vision. Together, we will determine if this partnership is the right fit for both of us. This includes consideration of my limited availability, which tends to be during evening (CT) hours and weekends.
3. Get Approval to Become a Member: If selected, you will be invited to join a membership tier that fits your needs and my availability.

Moonshot Institute Membership Plans

Tier 1: Annual Thought Partnership – $10,000/year (or $834/month)

• Includes up to 4 hours of personalized thought partnership per month.
• Provides high-level guidance to refine transformative ideas and create actionable conceptual maps.
• Designed for leaders focused on significant projects requiring strategic vision and clarity.

Tier 2: Premium Thought Partnership (Extremely Limited Availability) – $20,000/year (or $1,667/month)

• Includes up to 8 hours of personalized thought partnership per month.
• For leaders tackling complex, multi-phase projects that demand deeper engagement and collaboration.
• Priority access includes higher scheduling priority and more intensive involvement in your work.
• Perfect for ambitious projects requiring sustained, high-level collaboration.

Important Notes

• Exclusivity: Membership is by invitation only and requires an initial conversation to determine fit.
• Unused Hours: Unused hours do not roll over to the next month. Members pay a monthly subscription regardless of how many hours are used.
• Additional Hours: Any work beyond your plan is available at a rate of $250/hour, subject to availability. However, due to my limited availability, I am rarely able to offer additional hours.
• Membership Fees: All fees for Moonshot Institute services are considered professional service fees and are not tax-deductible. However, a portion of fees collected by the Moonshot Institute may be donated to a charity of my choice, including Concordia University, Nebraska, where I serve as president. This does not impact the terms of your membership or the services provided. Donations, if made, are entirely at the discretion of the Moonshot Institute.

Ready to Begin?

If you’re interested in working together, reach out by using the link below and sending me a message on Substack. Let’s have a conversation to determine if this membership is the right fit for both of us.