A fund raising consultant plays an integral role by providing advice and counsel to an organization's key leadership. Professional guidance is particularly helpful for breathing new life into an existing program, when new fund raising programs are initiated, or to guide an organization through a capital find drive. The professional services of a fund raising consultant are used most successfully if the consultant's role is fully clarified and understood.
The professional fund raising consultant will:
1.
Assess your organization's strengths and weaknesses.
2.Speak frankly to you and your Board about your organization.
3.Help you evaluate your Board's leadership.
4.Help you evaluate your organization's internal resources.
5.Create custom-tailored development plan for your organization.
6.Provide you with a detailed work plan and time tables.
7.Educate and train your leadership and Board on how to solicit money.
8.Help you make the strongest case for your organization.
9.Help you establish realistic dollar goods.
10. Motivate and encourage your leadership to set high goals.
11. Draft or write your presentation materials.
12. Help you identify all of your potential constituencies.
13. Help you identify and rate prospects.
14. Help you target your appeals to your best prospects.
15. Suggest appropriate recognition for your donors and volunteers.
16. Coordinate relevant media and publicity.
17. Provide recommendations for your record keeping system.
18. Train your support staff.
19. Stay with you as long as you need help.
20. Charge you a flat fee for services agreed upon in advance.
The professional fund raising consultant will not:
1.Know what programs your organization should offer.
2.Work without the knowledge and support of the Board.
3.Have a list of prospects in hip pocket for you to call upon.
4.Ask your prospects for money for you.
5.Make your decisions for you.
6.Share your organization's confidential or financial information with other groups.
7.Provide legal advice.
8.Clean up your act for you.
9.Guarantee results.
10. Work on commission.
