Consulting

According to a recent survey, more than 40% of nonprofits expect to pay more than $50,000 in consulting fees in the coming year. So, how does a nonprofit find the right consultant? If your organization is considering hiring a consultant to help with fundraising or development needs, here are few things to think about before you engage a consultant.

Do you need a consultant or a staff person?
The first thing you need to know is whether you are looking for a staff person to fill the role or if you need a consultant. If you need full time work or someone to be on site on a regular basis, you probably need an employee rather than a consultant. Hiring a consultant is not a way to avoid paying benefits to employees. In fact, the IRS has strict regulations about who is an employee and who is an outside contractor. Things like supplying an office and equipment, supervising the person's work directly usually mean that person is an employee and you must pay employment taxes and possibly benefits. For a complete list of IRS guidelines, check the IRS website.  Read more

Powerpoint presentation.  Read more

One of the exciting changes in the profession of fundraising over the twenty-five years I've been involved, is the number of institutions of higher education that now have courses, both graduate and undergraduate, in philanthropy and development. It is great to see young people who actually plan a career in fundraising, unlike those of my generation, most of whom "fell into" the profession of fundraising.

However, one of the things the young people graduating with degrees in philanthropy, development and fundraising might not be aware of is the importance of finding an experienced mentor to help them grow in their career.

Organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters, who provide mentoring services for young people, have amassed a ton of statistics proving that mentoring works. They can quote you the precise statistics on the percentage young people are less likely to drop out of school, use drugs and alcohol, and have truancy problems, because they have mentors.   Read more