How to Choose the Right Fundraising Consultant for Your Nonprofit

When your nonprofit is struggling to meet fundraising goals, battling donor fatigue, or launching a major campaign, the question often arises: Should we hire a fundraising consultant? The answer, in many cases, is yes—but only if you choose the right one. A non-profit fundraising consultant can do more than boost donations—they can reshape your entire fundraising strategy, modernize donor engagement, and unlock long-term growth. But not all consultants are equal, and not every nonprofit has the same needs.
 

This guide will walk you through how to choose the right fundraising consultant for your nonprofit, when to hire one, and what to expect, based on real-world experience in the nonprofit industry.

Why Is My Nonprofit Not Meeting Fundraising Goals?

Before diving into how to choose a consultant, let’s address the common pain points nonprofits face:

• Your fundraising team is overwhelmed and under-resourced.
• Campaigns are running, but donations aren’t growing.
• Donor engagement is low, and retention is dropping.
• You lack a clear fundraising strategy tied to your mission.

These are red flags that it’s time to get outside expertise. A consultant can help uncover what’s not working and recommend changes tailored to your organization’s size, goals, and cause.

What Does a Fundraising Consultant Do for a Nonprofit?

A nonprofit fundraising consultant is a third-party expert who works alongside your leadership and development team to improve how your organization raises money.

Typical services include:

• Campaign planning and execution (e.g., capital campaigns, endowment drives)
• Major gift strategy and donor cultivation
• Grant writing support
• CRM/donor database evaluation and setup
• Digital fundraising strategy and transformation
• Training staff and board on fundraising best practices

They don’t just bring ideas—they bring execution, systems, and clarity.

Is Hiring a Fundraising Consultant Worth It for Small Nonprofits?

Absolutely—if you choose the right consultant. Many consultants specialize in working with grassroots or mid-size organizations and offer tailored packages or hourly guidance.

Some may also guide you through nonprofit software development to ensure your fundraising tools align with your growth stage.

How to Choose the Right Fundraising Expert for Your Nonprofit

Here’s a step-by-step checklist:

1. Define Your Goals - Are you launching a capital campaign? Trying to modernize your fundraising tech stack? Or simply looking to increase donor retention?

2. Assess Internal Capacity - Do you need a strategic advisor or someone hands-on? A good consultant should complement—not replace—your internal team.

3. Evaluate Their Expertise - Look for:

• A proven track record with nonprofits of your size or mission
• Familiarity with CRM setup and donor databases
• Knowledge of digital fundraising tools and AI-based strategies

4. Ask for Case Studies & References - Great consultants can show real results and connect you with former clients.

5. Start Small - Engage them for a limited audit or short-term project before committing to long-term engagements.

Real-World Example

A mid-sized education nonprofit partnered with a consultant to improve low donor retention. The consultant:

• Audited their CRM and donor communication flow
• Recommended a switch to a mobile-first donation app (via nonprofit app development)
• Introduced AI-powered donor segmentation

Within 6 months, donor retention increased by 22%, and average gift size grew by 15%.

FAQs

Q1. What does a fundraising consultant do for a nonprofit?
They help design and execute fundraising campaigns, train staff, improve donor systems, and provide strategic oversight.

Q2. How do I choose the right nonprofit fundraising consultant?
Look for relevant experience, clear communication, references, and alignment with your mission and team culture.

Q3. How can a consultant help increase donor retention?
They identify gaps in communication, recommend technology upgrades, segment donors, and design stewardship strategies.

Q4. Is hiring a consultant better than hiring staff?
Consultants offer deep expertise on demand—especially valuable when launching new campaigns or fixing broken systems.

Q5. Can consultants help implement AI in nonprofit fundraising?
Yes. Many consultants now specialize in using AI tools for donor insights, predictive analytics, and automated workflows.