Intent to Impact: How Nonprofit Consulting Works
Nonprofit consulting can act as a lifeline for organizations striving to make their ambitious visions reality. By providing specialized expertise in areas like branding, communications, and program design, nonprofit consulting firms get organizations the customized support they need to more deeply deliver on the promises of their mission.
Explore what nonprofit consultants have to offer by exploring the sections below:
What is Nonprofit Consulting?
Nonprofit consulting offers organizations like foundations and nonprofits expert advice, guidance, and support for mission driven work. These services are typically offered by specialized firms that understand the unique challenges and opportunities nonprofits face. Consultants work closely with organizations to define opportunities for improvement. Nonprofit consulting projects include developing short and long-term strategies, refreshing messaging and visuals, improving internal operations, and launching new programs.
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3 Reasons to Seek Outside Consulting Services
Nonprofit consulting is worth considering if you’re looking to make a change that pushes your organization’s current limits.
Nonprofit Consulting Focus Areas
Foundations, education institutions, community organizations, and other nonprofits have many audiences and priorities. Speciality firms that offer nonprofit consulting services can focus on the areas that matter most for your organization, including:
- Branding & Marketing: Consultants help nonprofits develop strong brands and marketing strategies to increase visibility and methods for sharing their stories.
- Communications: Consultants work with organizations to develop communication strategies that resonate with the target audience and drive action.
- Program Design & Evaluation: Consultants assist in designing and evaluating effective programs that align with the organization’s mission and goals.
- Fundraising & Development: Consultants can co-create fundraising strategies and campaigns to attract donors and supporters.
- Governance and Leadership: Consultants provide guidance on board development, leadership transitions, and governance best practices.
Examples of Nonprofit Consulting Outcomes
#1: Elite innovation tools built for high school students
Friday led a program design process that resulted in the XPRIZE Connect DEFINE experience, a youth program challenging participants to identify and define the world’s biggest barriers and imagine their breakthroughs.
XPRIZE left this program design process with:
- Project-based, student-centered curriculum
- Opportunities for in-person & virtual activities
- Training materials for facilitators
- Built out digital experience for students & facilitators
#2: A website that works for every target audience
John Muir Charter Schools (JMCS) is a free alternative high school in California equipping 14- to 26-year-olds to earn their diplomas and prepare for fulfilling careers. We worked with JMCS to help each target audience connect with the JMCS message meant for them.
JMCS left this brand, website, and communication process with a:
- Refreshed brand messaging framework & visual identity
- Redesigned, more audience-targeted website
- Immediately actionable communications strategy
#3: Story-driven curricular approach that accelerates & deepens online learning
Friday worked with Strayer to completely redesign the conventional model for online learning. Together, we built an Introduction to Business course around storytelling and problem solving rather than lectures and recitation. The resulting course was so successful, Strayer used it to apply this story-driven curricular approach to additional courses.
Strayer left this program design process with new:
- Student-centered course content and sequencing
- Vision and program mapping for student support services
Tips for Working with a Nonprofit Consultant
Set your organization and consultant up for success by reflecting on the following before and during your project:
- Define your needs. Consultants provide a neutral but informed perspective on organizational challenges and opportunities, helping nonprofits make wise decisions.
- Research consultants. Hiring a consulting firm can be more cost-effective than hiring full-time staff with the same level of expertise.
- Check references. In other words, what does a consultant actually do? As a social impact organization, it’s important to partner with an agency that respects and values your expertise.
- Communicate expectations. Nonprofit consultants often have extensive networks, which can lead to partnerships, funding opportunities, and resource sharing.
- Establish a good working relationship. Keep communication open, consistent, and collaborative throughout the consulting process.
Benefits of Hiring a Nonprofit Consulting Firm
When you’re ready to move from now to next, the investment in a nonprofit consultant is worth it. Nonprofit consulting offers organizations:
- Objectivity: Consultants provide a neutral but informed perspective on organizational challenges and opportunities, helping nonprofits make wise decisions.
- Cost-Effective Solutions & Services: Hiring a consulting firm can be more cost-effective than hiring full-time staff with the same level of expertise.
- Flexibility: In other words, what does a consultant actually do? As a social impact organization, it’s important to partner with an agency that respects and values your expertise.
- Networking: Nonprofit consultants often have extensive networks, which can lead to partnerships, funding opportunities, and resource sharing.