Do You Need a Fundraising Consultant?

There are several reasons why you may need to retain the services of a qualified fundraising consultant. Perhaps you are seeking someone who understands the needs of your nonprofit organization and can help you plan and implement effective fundraisers. Or maybe you're looking for someone who can train the staff members of your organization quickly and effectively. A fundraising consultant can do all these things and more.

A good fundraising consultant will be able to conduct feasability studies, create databases and recordkeeping systems, conduct mail order campaigns, and offer advice for every aspect of fundraising and management of your nonprofit organization.

However, there are some tasks that a fundraising consultant cannot do. They include actually soliciting for donations or using their own personal or business contacts to raise funds. Also, a fundraising consultant cannot guarantee that a certain amount of funds will be raised.

A fundraising consultant, like all consultants, work on a temporary basis. Your consultant may come in once a day, once a week, once a month or even less. What you can expect to pay for the services of a consultant will depend on your location, the length of time you retain the consultant and the rates the consultant charges. Some consultants charge by the hour, others by the project.

If you decide to hire a fundraising consultant, there are lots of them out there from which you choose. It can be quite a task to decide which one is right for you. Take some time and compare the policies and rates of different consultants before making a decision.

One way to ensure that you choose a good fundraising consultant is to ask around for recommendations. Other nonprofit organizations may be able to refer you to consultants they've used in the past. If you aren't able to find recommendations, ask for references from the consultant you're considering and be sure to check them. Any reputable consultant will be more than happy to give you a list of references. If they refuse, then think twice about working with them.

A fundraising consultant can be a valuable resource for your nonprofit organization. Whether you need a little help or a lot, a consultant can provide it for you and the members of your nonprofit!

Copyright 2006 Jim Sterling - All Rights Reserved



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