If you run or manage any type of charity or non-profit, you know how important fundraising is. Fundraising makes it possible to fulfill the goals of your organization, while also ensuring that overhead expenses are covered. For most charities and non-profits, fundraising is something that is typically ongoing throughout the year. If you want to maximize your organization's fundraising and make sure that goals are met, you may want to seriously consider hiring a fundraising management consultant to assist you. Use the following tips to help you hire a fundraising management consultant to work with your organization.
Know What Areas You Want to Focus on
Before you begin looking for a fundraising management consultant to work with your organization, it is in your best interest to identify your goals and determine where you need help. Doing so will help you select a consultant who has the necessary skills and experience. For example, if you want to plan a large fundraising event, you will want to work with a consultant who is experienced in developing new campaigns, marketing them, and ensuring a good turnout. Or, perhaps you want to increase the number of online donations your organization receives, in which case you would want to hire a consultant with a proven track record of being able to get donors to your website.
Request Several Proposals
When you are in need of the services of a fundraising management consultant, it is in your best interest to request proposals from several candidates before making a hiring decision. A comprehensive proposal should include a lot of details that explain exactly what a consultant will do and how they will improve your organization's fundraising efforts and management of donated funds. Reading over several proposals will help you narrow down your options and select the right person to work with.
Consider Costs
A good fundraising management consultant can be a very valuable resource, but most charities and non-profit organizations have to pay careful attention to their funds and expenses. It is always a good idea to determine exactly how much of your organization's budget you can afford to spend to hire a fundraising management consultant. Once you have a figure in mind, you can focus on interviewing and speaking with consultants that you can afford to hire. Being mindful of your organization's budget will help ensure that you don't spend more than you can afford when you bring on a consultant to help with fundraising.
I greatly enjoy helping people, especially children, so I entered a career where I could help others, but I didn't make a great income. While I love my job, I sometimes wished I had entered a higher-paying field so that I could donate to many worthy causes. One day a co-worker told me that she had just spent time overseas helping the needy and the humanitarian organization paid for her travel costs. I soon took a trip overseas myself and learned just how rewarding it can be to volunteer your time. I now embark on a humanitarian mission every year during my work vacation, and I enjoy every minute of it. I am eager to spread the word about the many ways a person can help others, even if they are not wealthy, on my new blog!