Looking for a Fresh Perspective?

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A Consultant May be Just What You Need

Throughout my career as a nonprofit consultant, I have been hired for many different reasons.  In some cases, I would assist board presidents and executive directors in building strong, effective boards to lead their organizations.  For others, I might provide fundraising guidance to expand organizational capacity or establish a comprehensive fundraising program.  Even further, I would provide support to create and implement a carefully crafted strategic plan, including ongoing consulting to navigate the organization’s strategic direction.

In almost all cases, as a consultant I believe I was able to play an effective role in advancing these nonprofits by addressing their pain-points and challenges, finding solutions to obstacles, and helping their leadership to navigate a path toward growth and sustainability.  Have you considered using a consultant to help create a pathway to success for your organization?

Why Hire A Consultant?

In many cases, consultants are engaged around a specific purpose:  Help us create a strategic plan or assist us in creating a broader funding model.  Alternatively, consultants can be engaged to provide ongoing counsel that allows organizations to gain and maintain momentum.  Or it may become a combination of both.  

There are many good reasons to hire a consultant. Do any of these apply to you and your organization?  

  • Consultants can bring a fresh perspective to the challenges you and your organization are facing.

  • Consultants view your organization through fresh eyes.  We take a step back and look at your nonprofit from the outside in.

  • Consultants ask the hard questions.  Those that are difficult to ask when you are part of the organization.

  • Consultants often uncover underlying problems. We troubleshoot and strategize.

  • Consultants provide a new voice.  You gain an advocate.

  • Consultants bring a bounty of expertise and experience.  We can provide case studies and proven tactics and strategies that work.

  • Consultants provide a cost-effective mechanism to deliver the change your organization needs.

When a nonprofit organization has clearly defined goals but doesn’t know how to implement an effective strategy to reach those goals, a consultant may be just the one to help that organization develop a sound solution.

Finding the Right Nonprofit Consulting Firm

The first thing you need to do is determine what you and your team are looking for in nonprofit consulting and coaching.  Identify your pain-points and make a list of challenges and obstacles facing your organization.  Then begin to generate a list of candidates that fit your needs: 

  • Ask your colleagues about consultants they have used in the past.

  • Tap into local, regional, and even national nonprofit networks.  Many of these organizations maintain consultant directories.

  • Explore social media, review profiles online.

  • Use a modified RFP process to narrow your search, collecting information about capabilities, areas of expertise, understanding of issues affecting your organization, and processes for working and charging for services. 

  • Review the consultant’s list of clients to be sure you fit.

  • Carefully check references. You’ll want to hear, first-hand, how the consultant has impacted other nonprofits.

As you narrow your field of potential candidates, you will definitely want to meet in person (by video conference these days) with the candidate.  In some cases, it may make sense to include your team. Here are some issues you’ll want to be sure to address:

  • Explore the depth and experience of the consulting team. Ask to see team member profiles.

  • Determine who exactly you will be working with during the contracted period.

  • Solicit specific examples of previous experience with clients like you.

  • Discuss the depth and breadth of their service options.  Clarify what exactly is provided, and more importantly, what is not.

  • Understand costs, seen and unseen.

  • Make sure they align with your needs. Discuss pain-points and determine if the consulting firm has experience in that area.

  • Assess the vibe.  Do you feel comfortable with the consultant?  After all, you’ll be working closely together.

Sealing the Deal

There’s no short cut to hiring a consultant, but by using the recommendations listed above, and exploring more comprehensive checklists like Aly Sterling’s “Hiring Fundraising Consultants – 12 Essential Tips,” you will no doubt find the right consultant to address the needs of your nonprofit organization.  Give it a try. The rewards are endless.

Vicki Burkhart