Strategy Grounded in Fieldwork, Research, and Relationship
Meaningful work starts in the room, not in a downloaded framework. At Knuckles on Doors, we begin where people already are. In the room. In the community. In the conversation. These are the places where trust is earned or lost.
This approach was forged through nearly two decades of hands-on experience. The work began with ballot access and field operations, designing low-budget tools, navigating policy constraints, and knocking doors when the budget barely covered pizza.
But it did not stop there.
Over time, we partnered with nonprofits, foundations, advocacy networks, and public institutions to expand food access, strengthen messaging, and bring unlikely allies into shared space. We helped align internal language with external voice, build coalitions that held together, and shape narratives that made policy goals tangible to those most affected. Alongside that work, we supported fundraising strategy and institutional engagement, always with an eye toward clarity, credibility, and trust.
Our throughline has never changed. We help people make better decisions in complex environments. Strategy that is clear. Insight that is practical. Outcomes that actually matter.
Today, Knuckles on Doors offers consulting support across six core areas. These include civic and campaign strategy, narrative and messaging development, stakeholder and coalition alignment, research-informed advising, external engagement strategy, and nonprofit development and fundraising. Every engagement is grounded in proximity, respect, and a commitment to mission-centered results.
Our belief in service is not just philosophical. It is lived. National service shaped the foundation of this work and continues to inform the values behind it.
We are not here to impress your board or win the pitch meeting. We are here to ask better questions, help you get unstuck, and move the work forward. We do our best work with people who value clarity over spin, trust over ego, and action over performance.
The name Knuckles on Doors is not just a memory. It is a commitment. A reminder that we do not get to skip the hard parts. That we have to show up, knock, ask, listen, and build. That is how we began. That is how we continue.
Meet the Team
Ben Marcus, MPP - Principal
Knuckles on Doors is led by Ben Marcus, a strategic engagement strategist, nonprofit consultant, former campaigner, and current PhD candidate in Public Policy. Ben’s work bridges electoral strategy and community engagement, nonprofit development and public systems, academic research and real-world organizing.
With more than 20 years of experience across field operations, stakeholder strategy, fundraising, and civic partnerships, he has supported coalitions across issue areas, helped systems reach underserved communities, and translated complex goals into clear, actionable steps. Ben brings both field-tested experience and academic grounding to every project, with a core belief that dignity, truth, and accountability are non-negotiable.
His journey began with grassroots politics and national service, including time as an AmeriCorps member. That foundation continues to guide how he approaches collaboration, equity, and public trust.
While the practice is currently led by a single principal, each project benefits from a strong network of collaborators and researchers. These are professionals committed to mission-driven work that holds up under scrutiny.
This work matters to Ben because he has seen what happens when trust breaks and what becomes possible when we rebuild it.