How to Hire the Right Fundraising Consultant for Your Nonprofit

Before you even begin the search for your nonprofit’s next professional fundraising consultant, you need to ensure everyone is aligned—from your board to your staff. (And this article will help you do just that.)

For example, instead of saying, “We want to raise more money,” reframe it as, “We want to increase individual giving by 20% within 12 months by expanding our donor engagement strategy.”

This gives your consultant, and your team, a clear target to work toward—and successful consultant engagement hinges on unified vision and commitment from the top.

Below, I’ll guide you through the process to finding and hiring a consultant that fits your org’s unique needs, including:

1. Outlining your specific needs
2. Scoping your fundraising project
3. Looking for fundraising consultant candidates (where and how to look!)
4. Reviewing potential consultants and vet their credentials
5. Developing a plan for your partnership before you start

✋ Important note: There are no affiliate links to fundraising consultants in this article. 4aGoodCause is a fundraising software platform that is committed to supporting small to midsize nonprofit organizations, backed by 25+ years of nonprofit industry experience. While we do share how 4aGoodCause can help power your fundraising efforts (yes, that’s our platform!), this guide is here to guide you in making a plan for hiring a fundraising consultant.

Ultimately, this process will move you through deciding on what to achieve with a fundraising consultant. Are you looking to launch a capital campaign, diversify your funding streams, or strengthen your donor relations?

I highly recommend discussing this process openly with your leadership team.

Clear, measurable goals are paramount. (This helps avoid scope creep and ensures everyone understands the consultant’s role in advancing your nonprofit’s priorities.)

📚 Read the Case Study: Find out how Circle of Life supported families and raised $1M+ online for a capital campaign using the tools inside 4aGoodCause.

1. Understand your organization’s specific needs

This is the foundational step. You can’t find the right solution until you clearly define the problem.

The right nonprofit consultant will tailor their approach to your nonprofit’s needs, ensuring strategies that fit your organization’s size, resources, budget, and mission.

Start by breaking your assessment into three key questions that guide your discovery process:

• What are your nonprofit’s strengths and weaknesses?
• What are your nonprofit’s short and long-term goals?
• Is your organization prepared to work with a consultant?

These questions serve as your framework for evaluating your team’s readiness and identifying where exactly a consultant can provide the greatest value.

They also help ensure your leadership and staff are aligned from the beginning.

Question 1: What are your nonprofit’s strengths and weaknesses?

Be candid.

• Where do you excel?
• Where do you struggle?
• Are your donor relations strong but your team’s grant writing skills are an underdeveloped area?
• Do you have enthusiastic volunteers but lack a major gifts strategy?

Identifying these with an honest internal analysis will help you narrow down the consultant’s focus.

Try this activity:

Hold a one-hour internal workshop with your leadership team and key staff.

• Draw a simple two-column chart labeled Strengths and Challenges.
• Ask each person to add sticky notes under both categories—anything from “strong community relationships” to “limited CRM use” or “no formal stewardship plan.”
• Group similar responses and discuss patterns.

This visual exercise not only clarifies where your nonprofit shines, but it also highlights areas where external expertise could make the most difference.

You can also use anonymous surveys or quick digital polls to gather anonymous input from staff or board members who may be hesitant to speak openly in a group.

Question 2: What are your nonprofit’s short and long-term goals?

Think big, but also think practical. Do you need an immediate boost for an urgent program, or are you looking to build a multi-year endowment?

Aligning consultant work with your strategic plan ensures maximum impact.

A helpful approach is to map out a “Now, Next, Later” timeline:

• Now: What immediate needs could a consultant help address in the next 3–6 months?
• Next: What outcomes should emerge within a year?
• Later: How will this work position your organization for long-term sustainability?

This framework keeps everyone focused on priorities and helps define success benchmarks for both your team and the consultant.

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Question 3: Is your nonprofit prepared to work with a consultant?

Working with a consultant isn’t passive. It requires commitment, staff time, and a willingness to implement their recommendations.

Are you and your team members ready to engage, learn, and adapt? You have to be honest with yourself here to prevent frustration down the line.

Before starting, ask:

• Do we have the internal capacity to collaborate effectively (meeting regularly, sharing data, following through on tasks)?
• Who will serve as the consultant’s main point of contact?
• Are we ready to make necessary changes if the consultant identifies gaps or inefficiencies?

Consider hosting a short “readiness check” meeting where you walk through these questions as a group.

If you identify barriers—like bandwidth constraints or unclear ownership on your internal team—address them upfront.

This proactive approach prevents frustration later and sets your consultant up for success.

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2. Outline the scope of your fundraising project

Once you understand your needs, translate them into a clear project scope.

Your project scope document will be your guiding star throughout the hiring process.

To create a strong project scope, focus on these five key components:

1. Define specific objectives
2. List deliverables
3. Set a timeline
4. Identify resources
5. Determine a budget

Collaborate with your consultant to define a clear fundraising campaign strategy.

Each of these 5 key components above will shape a transparent, results-driven partnership and sets the stage for an efficient, impactful consulting engagement.

Define specific objectives

Start by articulating exactly what you want the consultant to accomplish.

Are you looking to create a comprehensive fundraising strategy, improve donor retention, or develop a capital campaign plan?

Whatever you’re looking to accomplish, keep your objectives SMART—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

For example:

• Increase major gifts revenue by 25% over the next fiscal year.
• Develop and launch a recurring giving program by Q2.
• Implement a donor stewardship calendar and train staff to use it.

These types of statements give both your internal team and the consultant a shared understanding of success.

List deliverables

Spell out what you expect to receive from the engagement—specific reports, written plans, training sessions, or ongoing coaching.

Avoid vague language like “strategic advice” and instead list tangible outputs such as:

• A written three-year fundraising plan with revenue projections.
• One staff workshop on major gift cultivation.
• An audit of current donor communication materials.

💡Pro tip: Ask your leadership or development team to review this list and rank which deliverables are “essential,” “nice to have,” or “optional.” This makes it easier to prioritize if budget or time constraints arise later.

Set a timeline

Outline a realistic timeline that includes a desired start and end date, along with any key milestones or checkpoints.

For example:

• Kickoff meeting and data review – Month 1
• Draft fundraising strategy – Month 2
• Staff training and plan implementation – Month 3

Including milestone dates helps keep the consultant accountable and gives your team visibility into progress.

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Identify resources

Be clear about which staff members will collaborate with the consultant and what level of time commitment is expected.

Encourage your team to assign roles early—who gathers data, who provides approvals, and who manages scheduling.

If possible, create a shared project calendar or simple task tracker to coordinate communication and deliverables.

Determine a budget

Budget transparency is key. Decide how much you can allocate for consulting fees, and factor in any additional costs such as travel, materials, or technology.

Many nonprofits find it helpful to outline a budget range (for example, $3,000–$10,000) to give consultants flexibility when tailoring proposals.

When presenting to leadership or your board, frame the consultant’s cost as an investment in capacity and long-term fundraising success, not just a short-term expense.

A well-defined scope ensures everyone is on the same page and helps consultants provide accurate proposals.

3. Find top fundraising consultant candidates

Now that you’ve done your internal homework, it’s time to find the right fit for your unique needs.

Look for a full-service fundraising consulting firm that offers comprehensive fundraising consulting services: from feasibility studies to campaign planning and digital fundraising strategy.

Or, if they come recommended by word of mouth, a solo fundraising consultant with a proven track record can also be a great choice.

Here are a few reliable ways to start your search:

1. Reach out to your network: Your peers are an invaluable resource. Ask other nonprofit leaders, board members, and even donors for recommendations. Personal referrals often lead to high-quality candidates.
2. Search by consultant specialty: Focus your search on those whose expertise directly aligns with your project scope.
3. Location-based search: While many consultants work remotely, some projects benefit from an on-site presence. Consider whether a local consultant is necessary or not.

Where to find nonprofit fundraising consultants

• Professional associations: The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) has a Fundraising Consultants and Resources Directory.
• Online directories: Specific consulting firm websites and industry-specific platforms.
• LinkedIn: A powerful tool for searching and connecting with consultants. Search for “fundraising consultant,” filter by region or specialization, and view profiles, recommendations, and mutual connections.
• Word-of-mouth: As mentioned, personal recommendations are gold. Tap your network—other nonprofit leaders, board members, or funders often know trusted consultants.

4. Review potential consultants and vet their credentials

At this point, you’ve gathered your list of promising candidates. Now it’s time to dig deeper and see who truly stands out.

The goal here isn’t just to find someone who “can” do the work—it’s to find someone who understands your mission, your challenges, the future of fundraising, and your team’s rhythm.

Here’s what you need to do next:

• Provide them with your goals/needs
• Discuss their project proposal
• Explore their past projects

Provide them with your goals/needs

Start by sharing your project scope, goals, and challenges early in the conversation.

A consultant who asks smart, clarifying questions and references your goals in their response is demonstrating real alignment.

You can even host a short “discovery meeting” with each finalist—treat it as a two-way interview.

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Discuss their project proposal

A strong proposal is your roadmap for what collaboration will look like.

It should clearly outline:

• Their understanding of your organization’s needs
• Their proposed approach and methodology
• Specific deliverables and measurable outcomes
• A detailed timeline with milestones
• A transparent breakdown of fees and payment schedule

Ask clarifying questions—what’s included, what’s not, and what success will look like at the end. A reputable consultant will welcome questions and explain their process clearly.

Explore their past projects

Ask for case studies, client testimonials, and references—especially from organizations similar in size or mission to yours.

Reach out to those references directly and ask questions like:

• Were expectations met (or exceeded)?
• Was communication clear and timely?
• Did the consultant stay within budget and on schedule?
• Would they hire them again?

This level of due diligence helps you validate both competence and compatibility.

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Determine if there’s a personality / culture match

Beyond expertise, a good working relationship is vital.

Even the most skilled consultant can fail if there’s a poor fit with your team. Pay attention to tone, communication style, and collaboration preferences.

Trust your gut feeling here.

5. Develop a plan for your partnership

Congratulations! At this point, you’ve selected your consultant.

Now, formalize the partnership to ensure a smooth and productive engagement.

By clearly defining roles, timelines, and expectations early on, you’ll set the foundation for a partnership that drives meaningful results and minimizes confusion.

Next, you’re going to:

1. Outline their main responsibilities
2. Detail how hands-on they will be
3. Develop an exact time frame for the consultant’s involvement

Outline their main responsibilities

Refer back to your project scope and define, in writing, what the consultant will deliver—and what your internal team will contribute.

This step ensures both sides are working from the same playbook.

Be as specific as possible:

• What outcomes are they accountable for (e.g., creating a comprehensive fundraising plan, conducting a donor database audit, training your development team)?
• What inputs do they need from your staff (e.g., donor data, internal reports, meeting availability)?
• Who on your team will serve as their main point of contact?

Also, define what’s out of scope.

For example, if your consultant is developing your capital campaign plan, clarify that staff or board will handle the actual solicitation.

This prevents misunderstandings and keeps the focus on shared deliverables.

Detail how hands-on they will be

Not all consultants operate the same way.

Some specialize in providing high-level strategy and coaching, while others are deeply involved in execution.

Decide early what level of engagement your organization wants and needs.

Ask questions like:

• Will the consultant attend meetings or remain behind the scenes?
• Are they training staff to implement new systems, or managing them directly?
• How often will they meet with your team: weekly, biweekly, monthly?

The more you define the working rhythm upfront, the smoother your collaboration will be.

For example, if your nonprofit is small or lacks internal development staff, you may need a more hands-on consultant who can help draft communications, oversee CRM setup, or even lead donor stewardship efforts.

Alternatively, larger nonprofits may only need strategic oversight: someone to guide staff, review materials, and provide feedback at key checkpoints.

Pro tip: Schedule a “project kickoff meeting” once your contract is signed. Use it to review roles, finalize deliverables, and establish communication norms. This meeting sets the tone for professionalism and trust.

Develop an exact time frame for the consultant’s involvement

A strong partnership depends on clear timelines and consistent progress tracking. Set a definitive start and end date for the engagement, then outline key milestones and deliverables along the way.

A sample timeline might look like this:

• Month 1: Kickoff meeting, data review, and initial stakeholder interviews
• Month 2: Draft fundraising plan and donor engagement recommendations
• Month 3: Presentation of final plan, staff training, and implementation support

Plan check-in meetings to review progress, troubleshoot challenges, and ensure deliverables remain aligned with your goals.

For larger or long-term projects, consider quarterly progress reports or brief written updates to keep leadership and the board informed.

Finally, plan for a wrap-up and evaluation phase. This is where your consultant provides a final report or summary of outcomes, and your team discusses what worked well, what could be improved, and next steps for continued growth.

Treat your consultant partnership as a strategic collaboration (not simply a transaction).

When you establish clarity around responsibilities, engagement level, and timelines, you empower both your consultant and your team to deliver real, measurable fundraising impact.

Build a partnership that powers long-term impact

Hiring the right fundraising consultant is more than just a short-term solution—it’s an investment in your nonprofit’s growth, sustainability, and mission.

Whether your consultant helps you launch a capital campaign, refine your donor stewardship, or expand recurring giving, the outcome should always move your mission forward and strengthen your fundraising foundation.

💡Fun fact: All donor tips through 4aGoodCause go directly to your organization—not the platform. Learn what makes 4aGC different than other fundraising platforms.

And if you’re ready to keep improving your fundraising strategy, you don’t have to do it alone.

4aGoodCause partners with you to provide the digital payment tools, donor forms, fundraising pages, and monthly giving platform to empower you to raise more with less stress.

That way, you and your team can focus on what matters most: making a difference.