Good stewardship means that you make careful, well-informed choices about the professionals you engage to work with your organization. Here are some things you might want to consider as you talk with prospective fundraising consultants:
Certification
Does the consultant possess his/her CFRE or other designation? This designation indicates a high degree of knowledge, as well as a commitment to ethical standards for philanthropic practice and ongoing education.
Licensing/Bonding
Fundraising consultants in Michigan are required to be bonded and insured. Make sure your consultant can offer proof that they comply with this requirement.
Experience
Can the consultant demonstrate successful experiences with projects similar to yours? Look not only at the sector(s) of their experience, but the types of projects (capital or endowment) as well as the project goals.
References
Request three to five Executive Director and board chair references from the consultant, along with contact information and a brief project description. Call several of these people and assess their level of satisfaction with the services that were provided.
Connections
How well is the consultant connected to foundations and major donors in the area? You will need his/her guidance as you decide how and when to apply for grants or major gifts.
Nonprofit experience
Has the consultant volunteered for board service, worked for a nonprofit, or been engaged in other volunteer roles?
Awards or honors
Has the consultant been appointed to any special rosters, recognized in the community for their work, or received other types of recognition for his/her abilities?
It takes some time to assess a consultant’s talents and skills to make sure they fit with your organization. But since you will be spending many months working together, we consider it time well spent. We'd be happy to share more about how we meet these qualifications if you are searching for fund development support -- just contact us to schedule an appointment.