FAQs: Mike's Fundraising Consulting Services

  • Fundraising coaching is designed to be adaptable, depending on your organization’s needs. Typically, it can range from 1 to 6 sessions per month to match different goals and timelines, and engagements generally span anywhere from 3 to 12 months.

  • Fundraising coaching benefits everyone involved in your organization’s development efforts:

    • Junior fundraising staff: To build foundational skills and confidence.

    • Mid-level fundraisers: To enhance strategy, execution, and leadership skills.

    • CEOs and Executive Directors: To strengthen fundraising vision, strategy, and integration with organizational leadership.

    • Board members: To empower them as ambassadors and active fundraisers.

    Whether you’re looking to refine your annual campaign, launch a major giving initiative, or improve board engagement, coaching can help every role unlock their fundraising potential.

  • A typical fundraising assessment takes approximately 8 to 12 weeks, depending on the complexity of your organization’s fundraising operations, size, and goals. The process involves data collection, interviews, analysis, and collaborative review sessions.

  • The outcome of a fundraising assessment is a comprehensive report and actionable roadmap that includes:

    Strengths and Gaps: A detailed analysis of what’s working well and where improvements are needed.

    Opportunities: Insights into untapped potential for donor engagement and fundraising growth.

    Recommendations: Clear, prioritized strategies for enhancing fundraising effectiveness across areas such as:

    • Individual giving

    • Major gifts

    • Institutional giving

    • Board engagement

    Fundraising Action Plan: A step-by-step plan to implement recommendations, complete with timelines and resource needs.

    By the end of the assessment, your organization will have a clear understanding of its fundraising potential and a roadmap for achieving sustainable growth.

  • When working with me, your ROI is reflected not only in fundraising outcomes but also in the capacity and systems we build together. While specific ROI depends on factors like your donor base and fundraising goals, my clients often achieve measurable results, including improved donor retention, new funder partnerships, and increased individual giving levels.

    Beyond immediate outcomes, I focus on creating long-term value by strengthening your organization’s fundraising infrastructure. With nearly a decade of expertise and a commitment to applying best practices, I tailor strategies to meet your unique needs.

    To learn more, I invite you to explore the testimonials on my website, which highlight how I’ve helped organizations achieve meaningful and sustainable growth.

  • Fundraising consultants can be valuable partners for nonprofits that are strategically positioned to benefit from external expertise. The decision to engage a consultant should be based on several key factors:

    Organization Size and Readiness:

    • Your nonprofit should have basic fundraising infrastructure and processes in place

    • Leadership must have a clear understanding of current challenges and desired outcomes

    Optimal Timing:

    • During campaign planning phases

    • When implementing new fundraising strategies

    • During periods of significant organizational growth

    • When facing specialized fundraising challenges

    Return on Investment:

    • Consider consultants as strategic, short-term investments, not long-term solutions

    • Focus on building internal capacity that sustains after the engagement ends