35+ Top Fundraising Consultants to Unlock More Funding
Fundraising is an essential activity for nonprofits. Whether you’re launching a capital campaign or starting a monthly giving program, attracting and retaining donors ensures that you receive the resources you need to fulfill your mission. However, effective fundraising strategies require more than simply asking people for donations.
Fundraising consultants have years of experience supporting nonprofits with launching campaigns, connecting with supporters, and earning donations. They have the expertise to evaluate your current approach, provide new strategy recommendations, and share tips that will set your future campaigns up for greater success.
If you need a nonprofit consultant to supercharge your fundraising, start by looking into firms that align with your specific goals, budget, and needs. To help you hit the ground running with your search, we’ve assembled a list of the top fundraising consultants in the sector.
Top Fundraising Consultants for Nonprofits
1. Getting Attention – Best for Google Ad Grants Consulting
Fundraising Consultant Overview
Getting Attention is our #1 recommended nonprofit consulting firm for reaching donors and prospects through paid advertising. Through the Google Ad Grant program, your nonprofit can receive $10,000 in free ad credits every month, which you can use to boost your website’s visibility on Google’s search results and generate more revenue for your cause.
As a Google Partner, Getting Attention has the expertise to help you take full advantage of the Google Ad Grant program. They’ll handle everything from filling out your application to creating your ads so you can make the most of your free advertising budget.
Fundraising Services
The Getting Attention team is a full-service Google Ad Grants consulting agency that provides these comprehensive services:
- Google Grant application. First, Getting Attention will confirm your eligibility for the Google Ad Grant. Then, they’ll complete the entire application process on your behalf to maximize your chances for approval.
- Keyword and competitive research. Getting Attention’s experts are skilled in conducting keyword research. Choosing the right keywords ensures your ads appear in front of users who are likely to be interested in supporting your nonprofit. Additionally, they’ll carry out a competitive analysis to identify other organizations competing for the same keywords and formulate a strategy to outperform them.
- Campaign and ad creation. The Getting Attention team will set up and organize all your campaigns in your Google Ads account. They’ll create meta description text, headlines, images, and ad extensions to produce engaging, click-worthy ads for your nonprofit. They can even provide recommendations for improving your ad landing pages to increase conversions.
- Account management and hygiene. Getting Attention’s consultants will manage your $10,000 ads budget every month to help you use this free funding to its fullest potential. Additionally, they’ll keep your data organized and ensure that you always meet all of Google’s compliance requirements.
- Monitoring and reporting. Every month, your Google Grant account manager will share an overview of your Google Ads account activities, key performance metrics, and recommended next actions. You’ll also have access to a real-time reporting dashboard that you can view at any time.
Additionally, in case your Google Ads account is ever suspended, the Getting Attention team knows exactly what to do to reactivate your account and get your advertising strategy back on track.
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
When you partner with Getting Attention, you’re essentially adding a new, skilled member to your nonprofit’s team. These experts will handle all of your Google Ad Grant management activities so you can focus on other priorities.
To learn more about the Getting Attention team and how they can support your fundraising strategy, check out this short video overview:
With no startup fees or increased costs associated with your ads spend, it’s clear that partnering with Getting Attention is an efficient, cost-effective way to boost your fundraising page conversions.
2. Donorly – Best for Research-Backed Fundraising
Fundraising Consultant Overview
Donorly’s fundraising consultants are committed to empowering small to medium-sized nonprofits to maximize their fundraising capacity. “The Donorly Method” to fundraising success lies in effective donor research.
By working with Donorly, your nonprofit can access fundraising experts, donor research tools used by the largest organizations, and a tailored strategy for meeting your exact goals.
Fundraising Services
Donorly’s consulting services and fundraising solutions include:
- Cutting-edge prospect research tools and team expertise
- Temporary nonprofit staffing for fundraising, development, and other key roles
- Telefundraising training for your fundraising team
- Capital campaign feasibility studies and coaching
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
Donorly’s fundraising consultants provide human-to-human support for your nonprofit, rather than distant third-party consulting. They’ll work closely with you to meet your fundraising goals and multiply your revenue.
3. Aly Sterling Philanthropy – Best Full-Service Fundraising Consulting Firm
Fundraising Consultant Overview
Aly Sterling Philanthropy is a full-service nonprofit consulting firm with experience handling a wide variety of fundraising challenges.
These fundraising consultants have extensive experience working with nonprofits of all sizes and focus areas. With their partnership-driven approach, they’ll go beyond presenting you with fundraising strategy recommendations. They familiarize themselves with your nonprofit and engage your stakeholders to provide you with an in-depth understanding of what inspires your donors to give.
Fundraising Services
Aly Sterling Philanthropy can enhance your fundraising strategy by:
- Creating a Philanthropy Blueprint with actionable steps and key performance indicators (KPIs)
- Conducting capital campaign feasibility studies
- Providing expert guidance before and during your capital campaign
- Engaging and strengthening your board of directors
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
The Aly Sterling Philanthropy team has helped hundreds of nonprofits, from educational institutions to faith-based organizations, achieve fundraising success. Plus, their diverse experiences working with companies and philanthropic individuals means that they have a strong understanding of what it takes to win financial support for nonprofits of any cause.
4. Averill Fundraising Solutions – Best for Fundraising Campaign Management
Fundraising Consultant Overview
The fundraising consultants at Averill Fundraising Solutions have over 75 years of experience combined. They have served nonprofits in every sector, from arts and cultural institutions to healthcare organizations.
Whether your fundraising goals involve improving your annual appeals or setting up a planned giving program, Averill’s team has the expertise needed to guide you toward the results you’re hoping to see.
Fundraising Services
As a full-service fundraising consulting firm, Averill can assist your nonprofit by:
- Creating customized solutions for increasing your nonprofit’s annual fund
- Developing a management plan for your capital campaign
- Providing long-term and interim fundraising management staff
- Holding fundraising workshops for executive leaders and volunteers
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
Averill takes a hands-on, goal-oriented approach to every partnership, ensuring that you maximize your fundraising ROI. Additionally, if your nonprofit is in the process of hiring Chief Development Officers, the firm can support your search by recommending talented candidates who meet your qualifications.
5. Meyer Partners – Best for Direct-Response Fundraising
Fundraising Consultant Overview
Meyer Partners is a nonprofit marketing agency that specializes in powering fundraising success through effective communication and outreach. These consultants have helped nonprofits raise awareness, acquire new donors, create emergency appeals, and cultivate donor loyalty through print and digital channels.
The team at Meyer Partners understands that long-term fundraising success depends on your donor relationships. With their support, you’ll be able to tap into reliable revenue sources year after year.
Fundraising Services
Meyer Partners will help you connect with more donors and raise more revenue by:
- Providing direct response fundraising services on print and digital channels
- Optimizing your website landing pages to drive donations
- Auditing your donor profiles to identify how you should focus your fundraising efforts
- Crafting strong, urgent appeals to raise funds following a disaster
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
The Meyer Partners team’s donor-centric approach goes beyond short-term fundraising success. If your nonprofit is looking to develop lasting relationships that lead to more revenue down the line, working with these fundraising consultants is an ideal way to meet your goals.
6. BWF – Best Fundraising Consultants for Donor Engagement
Fundraising Consultant Overview
BWF is a full-service fundraising consulting firm that provides the latest best practices and guidance to clients by consistently adapting to the ever-shifting nonprofit landscape. To the BWF team, successful fundraising involves building capacity, leveraging real-world data, and connecting with donors.
Nonprofits of varying missions, from human services to environmental conservation, have trusted BWF to guide them toward sustainable fundraising growth.
Fundraising Services
BWF offers several key services to enhance your fundraising strategies, including:
- Campaign planning, management, and data-driven insights
- Fundraising communications and donor engagement
- Prospect research using predictive analytics
- Fundraising program review and recommendations
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
BWF’s fundraising consultants focus on building your nonprofit’s capacity and equipping your nonprofit with everything it needs to meet its fundraising goals time after time. Plus, they have the technological expertise to help you implement CRM software and provide the necessary training for making the most of your new platform.
7. Windmill Hill Consulting – Best for Fundraising Communications
Fundraising Consultant Overview
Windmill Hill Consulting applies a four-part approach to improving nonprofit fundraising strategies. This fundraising consulting firm has served over 50 clients, including the American Red Cross, to develop tailored solutions for reaching donors and inspiring their generosity.
The consultants at Windmill Hill Consulting will walk your nonprofit through assessing your current fundraising performance, setting meaningful goals, assembling a plan, and implementing your strategy.
Fundraising Services
Throughout your partnership with Windmill Hill Consulting, their expert team will:
- Engage external stakeholders to better understand your nonprofit
- Conduct prospect research to identify promising future donors
- Help you develop and articulate your case statement
- Come up with strategies for upgrading donor giving levels
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
The value of working with Windmill Hill Consulting goes beyond the data-driven recommendations these consultants provide. Once they’ve put together your strategy, they provide coaching and training to ensure that your nonprofit is ready to turn a fundraising plan into tangible, rewarding results.
Fundraising Experts for Coaching & Training
1. Marc Pitman
Fundraising Consultant Overview
As the founder of FundraisingCoach.com and The Concord Leadership Group, Marc Pitman is a first-rate nonprofit fundraising consultant who believes that strong leadership is the backbone of any successful fundraising strategy.
His extensive experience in fundraising and leadership development makes him a valuable resource for nonprofits looking to empower their teams to connect with donors and raise more revenue.
Fundraising Services
Marc Pitman offers training and coaching in several areas, including:
- Fundraising
- Marketing
- Time management
- Board roles
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
Nonprofit executive leaders can benefit from individualized fundraising coaching from Pitman. He’ll work with you to achieve your goals and refine your fundraising messages. Plus, you’ll even gain free access to all the tools and templates in The Nonprofit Academy!
2. Clairification
Fundraising Consultant Overview
Claire Axelrad, founder of Clairification, has 30 years of in-the-trenches experience leading nonprofit marketing and fundraising teams to extraordinary success. Today, she shares her expertise with organizations of all shapes and sizes. She’s on a mission to equip your nonprofit with strong leadership skills, a passionate case for support, and a well-oiled development machine to sustain you now and in the future.
Not only does she provide comprehensive training courses, but she also offers individual and board coaching and will help you build custom strategies to reach your goals.
Fundraising Services
Clairification’s main services cover the following areas:
- Fundraising
- Board and leadership development
- Annual, major, and legacy giving
- Nonprofit identity and branding
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
If your nonprofit only needs a quick consultation or guidance on a smaller project, Axelrad offers “Hours of Power,” which are one-hour sessions in which she shares targeted advice and feedback. She is a powerful resource for smaller to medium-sized nonprofits looking to address specific challenges and implement impactful solutions.
3. Jay Frost
Fundraising Consultant Overview
Jay Frost is a fundraising consultant with over three decades of experience working with new and established nonprofits, helping them tap into meaningful fundraising opportunities. As the founder of Frost Fundraising, he speaks at conferences and counsels clients on how they can run effective campaigns.
Additionally, he is a leading expert on social media and how nonprofits can use these popular platforms to engage donors.
Fundraising Services
Jay Frost can assist your nonprofit with:
- Conducting campaign feasibility studies
- Auditing your development strategy
- Training your campaign leadership and staff
- Developing major donor strategies and proposals
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
Thanks to his extensive experience, Jay Frost has the expertise to create long-term solutions for a wide range of organizations and causes. He can even work with you to design a board retreat that reenergizes your board members and prepares them for their roles as decision-makers and fundraisers.
4. Get Fully Funded
Fundraising Consultant Overview
Sandy Rees founded Get Fully Funded to support nonprofits with a blend of fundraising and personal development consulting. This means that she’ll equip your team with the best practices to raise more and the confidence to reach out to donors.
Get Fully Funded’s fundraising coaches will produce a detailed, customized revenue roadmap for your nonprofit based on your specific goals and mission.
Fundraising Services
This fundraising consulting firm offers coaching and workshops on:
- Building donor relationships
- Engaging board members
- Creating a fundraising plan
- Applying for grants
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
By enlisting the help of a Get Fully Funded fundraising coach, your nonprofit can benefit from monthly one-on-one calls and unlimited access to expert advice via email. To determine whether their services are right for your needs, you can request a free strategy session with the firm to learn more.
5. Bristol Strategy Group
Fundraising Consultant Overview
Before founding Bristol Strategy Group, Ellen Bristol had a successful 20-year career selling mainframe computers for Fortune 500 companies. Now, she’s committed to leveraging her high-performing sales experience to help nonprofits achieve fundraising success.
This fundraising consulting firm provides many expert resources for increasing your fundraising productivity and diversifying your revenue streams.
Fundraising Services
Bristol Strategy Group’s consulting sessions equip nonprofits with tips, tools, and best practices for:
- Identifying high-potential prospects
- Creating marketing strategies to attract more donors
- Improving the donor journey
- Adjusting your strategy based on fundraising data
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
Bristol Strategy Group uses technology and real-world fundraising research to evaluate your nonprofit’s strategies. Whether you’re trying to secure a corporate sponsorship or acquire new major donors, these experts are here to help you raise more with less effort.
6. BrightDot
Fundraising Consultant Overview
BrightDot is a fundraising consulting firm that focuses on three words when it comes to helping nonprofits secure more generous donations: “Donors, Dreams, and Delivered.” The BrightDot team leverages insights from psychologists, professors, and nonprofit leaders to inform their coaching approach.
If your nonprofit is looking for ways to improve its fundraising process, these fundraising experts can supply the tips and tools needed to raise more for your mission.
Fundraising Services
BrightDot can coach your nonprofit on how to:
- Assess job candidates and train existing staff members
- Build meaningful relationships with prospective donors
- Use communication tools to enhance your fundraising efforts
- Develop a fundraising team focused on high-impact results
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
By partnering with these fundraising consultants, your nonprofit can reduce 18-month turnover and cut its donor cultivation time in half. BrightDot ensures that you have the foundation you need to power fundraising success far into the future.
7. Tom Ahern
Fundraising Consultant Overview
Tom Ahern, founder of Ahern Donor Communications, is a fundraising consultant with career experience in sales and copywriting. He places donor communications at the center of fundraising success.
For nonprofits looking to build a strong community of support around their mission, Ahern has the wordsmithing expertise to help you win donors’ hearts.
Fundraising Services
Some of the main training topics that this fundraising expert offers include:
- Persuasion psychology
- Crafting successful direct mail appeals
- Developing a convincing case for support
- Raising funds through print donor newsletters
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
Tom Ahern’s training sets your team up to cultivate relationships that will accelerate your fundraising performance for years to come. You can even request in-depth critiques or exercises during a training session to provide your staff with the chance to improve their donor communication skills.
Fundraising Consulting Firms for Data-Driven Strategies
1. DNL OmniMedia
Fundraising Consultant Overview
DNL OmniMedia is a fundraising consulting firm that focuses on helping nonprofits achieve their goals through their technology and web platforms. DNL’s experts can design your technical strategy from the ground up so you can make the most of your CRM, online fundraising platforms, social media pages, and reporting tools.
By partnering with these nonprofit consultants, you’ll develop tactics for raising more revenue and learn how to leverage technology to streamline your operations.
Fundraising Services
DNL OmniMedia can support your nonprofit with:
- Developing an omnichannel fundraising campaign
- Automating donor stewardship
- Migrating your fundraising data
- Implementing and maximizing online fundraising solutions
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
DNL OmniMedia approaches fundraising through a data- and technology-focused lens. Beyond supporting your campaigns, the DNL team can help you identify KPIs and review your fundraising data to continually refine your strategies for better results.
2. Redpath
Fundraising Consultant Overview
Redpath is a Salesforce consulting partner that works to provide nonprofits with a database tailor-made for fundraising success. This consulting firm has supported over 400 organizations in projects such as implementing their Salesforce CRM solution and marketing automation.
Redpath can develop Salesforce solutions to fit your specific needs, allowing you to access a 360-degree view of its donors and unlock insights for better fundraising.
Fundraising Services
The Redpath team will enhance your fundraising by:
- Configuring Salesforce’s Nonprofit Cloud and Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP) for your nonprofit
- Setting up integrations to provide real-time data on fundraising engagement
- Automating communications to strengthen donor relationships
- Facilitating grant applications using Nonprofit Cloud and NPSP
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
The right nonprofit tools free up more of your staff’s time and energy to focus on other aspects of your mission. Whether you currently use Salesforce or you’re looking to invest in Salesforce solutions, Redpath will ensure you have everything you need to meet your fundraising goals.
3. Pursuant
Fundraising Consultant Overview
Pursuant is a marketing and fundraising agency that provides direct response fundraising services guided by a research-based approach. These nonprofit consultants focus on your nonprofit’s unique purpose, supporter behavior, and donor motivations to help you craft data-driven fundraising strategies.
The Pursuant team includes expert writers and graphic designers who will craft compelling fundraising messages that inspire your audience members to take action.
Fundraising Services
Pursuant’s main services involve:
- Developing direct mail campaigns
- Digital marketing and fundraising
- Social media and paid online advertising
- Upgrading mid-level and annual fund donors
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
A powerful story leaves a lasting impression. Pursuant’s focus on storytelling allows your nonprofit to resonate with donors on a deeper, more meaningful level. Then, they’ll look at your donor engagement to determine how to keep them engaged with your mission for the long run.
4. NPOInfo
Fundraising Consultant Overview
The more you know about your donors, the better you’re able to connect with them through fundraising outreach. That’s where NPOInfo’s data enrichment services come in handy.
Whether you’re trying to earn more matching gifts or identify major donor prospects, NPOInfo can provide you with the information you need to fundraise more effectively.
Fundraising Services
NPOInfo offers the following services to enhance your fundraising results:
- Employer appends
- Email appends
- Demographic data appends
- Address appends
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
Using NPOInfo’s services, your nonprofit can augment its database and access crucial details to guide your fundraising efforts. Once you receive your appends, their team will stay in touch to ensure that your records stay accurate and up to date over time.
5. CCS Fundraising
Fundraising Consultant Overview
CCS Fundraising is a strategic fundraising consulting firm with a data-driven approach. These fundraising consultants will support your nonprofit through every step of your campaign, from planning to execution.
Every year, over 500 organizations across the U.S. and around the world trust CCS Fundraising to guide them through their fundraising journeys.
Fundraising Services
Some of the primary ways the CCS Fundraising team can support your nonprofit include:
- Conducting planning and feasibility studies
- Creating donor cultivation strategies
- Analyzing your historical fundraising data to glean insights
- Auditing your fundraising program to identify improvement opportunities
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
CCS Fundraising uses the latest research tools and databases to prepare your nonprofit for fundraising success. To maximize your outreach results, the team will map out your relationships with prospective donors and conduct wealth screening to evaluate your existing donors’ giving capacity.
6. Whole Whale
Fundraising Consultant Overview
Whole Whale is a digital fundraising agency founded by George Weiner, who is dedicated to supporting nonprofits through democratizing data and measuring success. Since the agency’s inception, Whole Whale has partnered with over 100 nonprofits, including Planned Parenthood and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
Weiner and his team can help your nonprofit make use of digital resources to amplify your reach and win support for your fundraising campaigns.
Fundraising Services
Whole Whale’s fundraising experts provide services in areas such as:
- SEO and content marketing
- Conversion optimization through A/B testing
- Staff training in using AI to streamline workflows
- Custom data analysis of your donor database and social platforms
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
In addition to its fundraising and marketing services, Whole Whale provides an array of training resources through Whole Whale University. By enrolling, you can gain unlimited access to courses, guides, and templates on all there is to know about effective fundraising.
7. NextAfter
Fundraising Consultant Overview
NextAfter is a fundraising agency that uses its fundraising experiments and research studies to advise nonprofits on how to improve their strategies. These consultants take a digital-first approach to donor acquisition and apply a learning mindset to every partnership.
When you reach out to NextAfter, a team of data scientists will compile your data into actionable insights for fundraising growth. Then, they’ll work with you to develop strategies to acquire and retain passionate donors for your mission.
Fundraising Services
NextAfter’s team will take your fundraising strategy to the next level by:
- Mapping out your donor experience
- Designing an experimentation plan for you to conduct A/B testing
- Helping you create marketing content that provides value to donors and inspires generosity
- Analyzing metrics to increase traffic, donations, and average gift size
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
NextAfter has a Fundraising Research Lab dedicated to studying donor engagement and pinpointing the fundraising tactics that work best for nonprofits. The agency has conducted over 2,500 online fundraising experiments to inform its consulting approach. With this experience, these experts can share the latest tips and best practices for enhancing your nonprofit’s results.
Fundraising Consultants for Capital Campaigns & Major Gifts
1. Graham-Pelton
Fundraising Consultant Overview
Graham-Pelton is a fundraising consulting firm that serves nonprofits, healthcare organizations, higher education institutions, and independent schools around the world. The consultants at Graham-Pelton regularly collaborate in industry-focused practice groups to stay tapped into the latest trends and challenges that the nonprofit sector faces.
While nonprofits can benefit from the Graham-Pelton team’s expertise in many ways, from growth planning to development assessments, the firm’s stand-out services are its capital campaign and major gift consulting.
Fundraising Services
These fundraising experts can support your nonprofit’s initiatives by helping you:
- Conduct a campaign planning and feasibility study
- Secure leadership and board buy-in for your campaign
- Keep your stakeholders invested at the end of a capital campaign
- Build detailed portfolios of qualified major prospects
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
Graham-Pelton prioritizes creating high-quality client experiences through its Client Listening Program. Throughout your engagement with the firm, you’ll be able to fill out electronic surveys to provide feedback. These opportunities allow them to improve their approach and deliver the best value possible to your nonprofit.
2. Capital Campaign Pro
Fundraising Consultant Overview
Capital Campaign Pro provides specialized capital campaign consulting services for nonprofits. All of the firm’s advisors have experience leading successful campaigns. They’ll match you with the expert who best fits your campaign goals, mission, and working style.
Furthermore, by partnering with Capital Campaign Pro, your nonprofit will be able to access additional resources such as an online toolkit with templates, weekly group advising calls, and leadership training sessions.
Fundraising Services
Capital Campaign Pro’s advisors will set your next campaign up for success by:
- Developing a campaign plan with objectives, a gift range chart, and a case for support.
- Guiding your fundraising team through a feasibility study
- Helping you secure board approval for your campaign
- Working with you to secure your campaign’s quiet phase fundraising goal
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
If your nonprofit isn’t quite ready to invest in a consultant for its capital campaign, the consulting firm has a DIY Essentials Plan that includes a toolkit of over 120 resources, exclusive leadership training, and weekly peer support.
3. Brian Lacy
Fundraising Consultant Overview
Brian Lacy, of Brian Lacy and Associates, has over three decades of nonprofit consulting experience, particularly in fundraising and data analysis. The firm has enabled over 400 nonprofits to raise more than $1 billion in philanthropic support through annual giving and capital campaigns.
The Brian Lacy and Associates team will work with your nonprofit to develop the long-lasting donor relationships that are crucial for your fundraising success.
Fundraising Services
The consulting firm’s main fundraising services include:
- Annual giving audits
- Major campaign feasibility and readiness studies
- Development assessment and stakeholder engagement
- Campaign staffing and management
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
In addition to campaign management and consulting, Brian Lacy and Associates provides prospect identification services to nonprofits in the U.S. and Canada. This means that nonprofits in North America can use the firm’s research services to unlock new prospects and improve their solicitation strategies.
4. Aspire Research Group
Fundraising Consultant Overview
Jennifer Filla, founder and CEO of Aspire Research Group, is committed to promoting nonprofit fundraising success through prospect research. With these research consultants on your side, you’ll be able to connect with the right donors and build relationships that fuel your mission.
Aspire Research Group takes donor details and converts them into actionable steps that your nonprofit can take to generate more revenue.
Fundraising Services
The consulting firm will assist your fundraising efforts by:
- Performing relationship mapping to uncover new, promising connections.
- Conducting wealth screening and verifying top prospects
- Assembling in-depth prospect files for your nonprofit
- Pinpointing key data points to inform your solicitation strategy
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
Prospect research and donor data shouldn’t be a mystery to your nonprofit’s staff. Beyond her consulting services, Filla’s Prospect Research Institute offers video lectures and live online classes that go over research fundamentals, from fundraising analytics to relationship management.
5. The Sheridan Group
Fundraising Consultant Overview
The Sheridan Group is a full-service fundraising consulting firm that has helped its clients achieve over $1 billion in fundraising success. These experts specialize in planning and developing nonprofit campaigns with $2 million to $20 million fundraising goals.
Organizations such as associations, independent schools, and religious institutions have all turned to The Sheridan Group for fundraising and capital campaign assessments.
Fundraising Services
Specifically, The Sheridan Group can help ensure your next capital campaign’s success by:
- Conducting stakeholder interviews
- Completing readiness and feasibility assessments
- Adjusting campaign goals based on results
- Planning and guiding the campaign
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
The Sheridan Group is focused on building long-term relationships with its clients. Over the last decade or so, the firm has developed an in-depth understanding of associations and how to help them launch impactful fundraising campaigns.
6. Westfall Gold
Fundraising Consultant Overview
Westfall Gold’s fundraising consultants are experts in designing memorable events for engaging major donors. While the typical major donor journey takes an average of 12 to 18 months, the Westfall Gold method can generate buy-in and inspire giving in just 3 and a half days.
Westfall Gold has helped its nonprofit clients host more than 550 events to acquire, upgrade, and reactivate major donors.
Fundraising Services
The fundraising agency’s key services include:
- Major donor event program development
- Event speaker coaching
- On-site event management
- Video production
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
These consultants are excellent for putting an engaging spin on your nonprofit’s fundraising activities. Beyond developing your major donor strategy, they can assist with specific event details such as creative asset creation, hotel accommodations, and top entertainment acquisition.
7. Gail Perry Group
Fundraising Consultant Overview
The Gail Perry Group is a fundraising consulting firm with extensive experience in capital campaigns and major gift programs. These consultants will equip your nonprofit with a step-by-step plan to steer you toward campaign success.
Gail Perry and her team have helped nonprofits of all sizes, from grassroots organizations to large universities, achieve their most ambitious fundraising goals.
Fundraising Services
Specifically, the Gail Perry Group can assist your nonprofit by:
- Conducting in-depth prospect research and feasibility studies
- Crafting customized campaign plans for your nonprofit
- Leading your board through fundraising workshops
- Preparing your internal fundraising team for effective campaigns
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
As a boutique fundraising consulting firm, the Gail Perry Group focuses on providing personalized planning and advice to its nonprofit clients. You can even hire the team for a half- or full-day fundraising workshop as a way to dip your team’s toes into fundraising best practices before a campaign.
Fundraising Agencies for Specific Sectors & Specialties
1. Pennington & Company – Best for Fraternity and Sorority Fundraising
Fundraising Consultant Overview
Pennington & Company provides fundraising consulting for fraternities and sororities in the U.S. Since its formation, the firm has helped over 950 chapters engage their alumni and run successful fundraising campaigns.
Pennington’s consultants have supported more than 300 capital campaigns for fraternities and sororities using their honed methodologies and emphasis on campaign results. Some notable clients include Delta Tau Delta at MIT and Sigma Chi at Stanford University.
Fundraising Services
Pennington’s main services include:
- Capital campaign feasibility studies and planning
- Prospect research and data mining
- Annual campaign planning and execution
- Peer-to-peer fundraising
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
Pennington’s website platform makes it easy for chapters to stay connected with their alumni, with features such as an event calendar and alumni directory. This means that you’ll be able to nurture key relationships for future fundraising campaigns.
2. Accordant – Best for Healthcare Organization Fundraising
Fundraising Consultant Overview
Accordant’s fundraising consultants work with healthcare organizations to help them tap into philanthropic opportunities. Each team member has over 20 years of experience in fundraising and healthcare leadership that they leverage to set their clients’ fundraising efforts up for success.
Beyond philanthropy and grants, Accordant’s consultants can improve your organization’s board governance, health equity, leadership team, and communication strategy.
Fundraising Services
Accordant’s consulting expertise covers the following areas:
- Conducting fundraising capacity assessments
- Designing grateful patient programs
- Identifying major and planned giving prospects
- Executive coaching
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
The consulting firm has a dedicated team for children’s hospitals and care centers, which adapts their expert approach to help these organizations spread awareness and raise more funds. Accordant is not only focused on generating revenue for its clients but also on converting generosity into a meaningful impact for healthcare patients around the world.
3. Greater Mission – Best for Faith-Based Organization Fundraising
Fundraising Consultant Overview
Greater Mission is a strategic fund-development consulting firm that’s dedicated to serving the Catholic Church and other faith-based ministries. Its team of experienced consultants offers exceptional firsthand experience paired with a strong compassion for the Church’s mission.
With Greater Mission’s support, you can better prioritize fund development in your strategic plan to foster both discipleship and generosity in your community.
Fundraising Services
Some of Greater Mission’s fundraising consulting services include:
- Conducting capital campaign feasibility studies
- Planning and executing capital campaigns
- Increasing offertory income
- Creating effective annual appeals
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
Greater Mission has a proven track record of success. By implementing the firm’s annual Amen Generosity model, parishes can unlock substantial income streams by combining spiritual inspiration with a clear case for support.
4. Laridae – Best Consultants for Canadian Nonprofits
Fundraising Consultant Overview
Laridae is a leading consulting and training firm for Canadian nonprofits looking to build capacity and lay a strong foundation for long-term success. These expert consultants have collaborated with over 250 nonprofits to evaluate and improve their existing strategies.
Laridae’s team is made of up professionals who have considerable experience working in the nonprofit sector, so they have a thorough understanding of the priorities and challenges that social purpose professionals face daily.
Fundraising Services
The firm’s primary services cover these areas:
- Strategic planning
- Management and leadership training
- Governance training
- One-on-one coaching
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
Laridae places a heavy emphasis on learning for everyone on your nonprofit’s team, offering several training programs led by experienced consultants. Managers and leaders can enroll in live, cohort-based courses that provide opportunities to connect with peers and learn the latest best practices for success in the sector.
5. Swaim Strategies – Best for Fundraising Event Planning
Fundraising Consultant Overview
Swaim Strategies focuses on supporting nonprofit fundraising through engaging hybrid, virtual, and in-person event planning. These fundraising consultants utilize a combination of storytelling techniques and data to help you create unforgettable experiences for your attendees.
Whether you need assistance with planning an annual fundraising gala or a crafting program script that resonates with your audience, the experts at Swaim Strategies will help you meet your event goals.
Fundraising Services
The Swaim Strategies team can boost your event strategy by helping you:
- Decide on the best event format
- Solicit event sponsorships
- Connect with donors through speakers and videos
- Train your board, staff, and event committee on the latest fundraising event best practices
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
By partnering with Swaim Strategies, your nonprofit can learn how to evaluate its fundraising event performance and improve its results in the future. These consultants can walk you through how to use event software to track sponsorships, attendance, auction items, and more.
6. Grants Plus – Best Fundraising Consultants for Grants
Fundraising Consultant Overview
Grants Plus is the national leader in nonprofit grant consulting. The Grants Plus team serves 501(c)(3) nonprofits with an organizational budget of $1 million or more, helping clients earn over $300 million in grant funding since the firm’s inception.
If your nonprofit is looking to secure grant funding and diversify its revenue streams, reach out to the experts at Grant Plus to learn how to increase your likelihood of winning a grant.
Fundraising Services
Grant Plus supports its nonprofit partners by:
- Finding promising grant prospects
- Producing competitive grant applications on your behalf
- Providing short-term staffing for your grant team
- Helping you develop meaningful relationships with grant funders
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
Grants Plus is a reliable asset for securing significant additional funding through grants. Plus, these fundraising consultants provide comprehensive training to ensure your staff is armed with practical skills and best practices for securing more grants down the road.
7. Kwala – Best for Fundraising Graphic Design
Fundraising Consultant Overview
Kwala is a graphic design agency that focuses on creating stunning fundraising letters, event materials, logos, and flyers for nonprofits. For a fixed monthly price, you can request unlimited designs and revisions from a top designer to support your fundraising activities.
Whether you need eye-catching designs for a t-shirt fundraiser or visually appealing social media graphics, Kwala’s graphic designers have the skills to deliver.
Fundraising Services
Reach out to Kwala to create engaging campaign materials such as:
- Fundraising flyers
- Year-end giving appeals
- Direct mail templates
- Event banners
Why We Love This Fundraising Consulting Firm
Since Kwala specializes in mission-driven marketing, you can rest assured that their graphic designers understand how to infuse the importance of your cause throughout your visual materials. Plus, their monthly subscriptions come with no hidden fees or long-term commitments.
Bonus: How to Hire a Fundraising Consultant
When you choose the right fundraising consultant for your nonprofit’s needs and budget, you unlock a long-lasting partnership to support your campaigns now and in the future. Follow these steps to find your match:
- Identify your goals and needs. First, determine what your nonprofit is hoping to accomplish with a fundraising consultant’s expertise. Are you trying to raise more funds through online advertising, such as Google Ads? Or are you about to launch a capital campaign? Use your goals and budget to guide your search for consultants with the specialties you need.
- Evaluate potential fundraising consulting firms. Make a list of all the potential consultants that meet the criteria you’ve set. Explore their websites to learn more about their consulting approach and knowledge. Furthermore, consider reaching out to peers in your sector who may be able to recommend exceptional firms they’ve worked with in the past.
- Meet with your top candidates and request a proposal. After you’ve conducted thorough research, reach out to your top choices through an introductory email or a brief phone call. Use this opportunity to discuss your goals and learn more about the consultant’s experience. Then, send them your request for proposal (RFP) and ask them for references that you can contact.
- Assess proposals and make your choice. Once you’ve received the proposals, evaluate each document with your team and get in touch with the fundraising consultant’s references. Narrow your choices down based on how well their recommendations and approach align with your mission, values, and priorities.
- Sign a contract with the fundraising consultant. Notify the consultant whose proposal you accepted and meet up with them to nail down the specifics of your partnership. For instance, you’ll confirm goals, timelines, responsibilities, communication expectations, payment schedules, and KPIs with your consultant before signing a contract with them.
Maintain open communication with your fundraising consultant throughout your collaboration to ensure that you get the most out of their support. This includes providing them with details about your nonprofit’s mission, finances, and previous campaigns as needed. Then, you’ll be well on your way to a productive and fruitful partnership.
Additional Fundraising Resources
The Ultimate Fundraising Guide to Corporate Giving Programs
There are many types of corporate giving that your nonprofit can tap into to raise more revenue for your mission.
Explore this corporate giving programs guide to start diversifying your revenue streams.
14 Fundraising Letters & Templates to Inspire More Support
A well-written fundraising letter captures your nonprofit’s mission and inspires people to give.
Master the art of fundraising letters using the templates in this guide.
110+ Incredible School Fundraising Ideas
Schools need consistent revenue to continue providing fulfilling experiences to students.
Check out this comprehensive list of school fundraising ideas for inspiration.
