A fundraising consultant’s job is to come up with innovative and effective ways to raise funds for a good cause. Plans frequently include methods for obtaining cash donations or valuable items that can be auctioned off to the general public. She usually does not participate in fundraising efforts and instead serves in advisory, inspirational, and leadership roles. The consultant may work as an independent contractor, for a fundraising firm, or provide her services to an organization or association in which she is a member, often for free.
The consultant’s first step after being hired is usually to meet with the group in need of funds to clearly define their objectives. This usually entails establishing monetary goals as well as a clear vision of the organization’s mission statement. This first meeting usually establishes any fundraising methods or funding sources that the group is not interested in using. These group decisions are frequently influenced by potential conflicts of interest or by personal or political relationships.
Following the establishment of these goals, the consultant usually entertains fundraising ideas from the organization for which she works. She is usually expected to give constructive feedback and to present her ideas to the group for discussion and consideration. Following the selection of preferred fundraising methods, a list of potential, generous, and wealthy donors is usually compiled. The fundraising consultant usually assists in the writing of formal proposals to seek funds from businesses and corporations.
The consultant frequently appoints committees with specific tasks. She reviews the goals with each committee chairperson on a regular basis to ensure that the objectives and methods are clear. If a committee chair appears to be lacking in confidence or focus, the fundraising consultant frequently steps in to help the group succeed.
A fundraising consultant is typically expected to provide motivation and inspiration to renew the members’ energy and drive if efforts appear to dwindle once the fundraising is underway. She meets with committees or committee chairs on a regular basis and encourages them to openly discuss their problems with her. The consultant usually offers solid solutions and gets the fundraising efforts back on track to success, based on her experience and expertise.
Outgoing, engaging, and analytical are all characteristics of a successful fundraising consultant. Her ability to inspire and motivate fundraisers to achieve their objectives is critical to her success. A winning combination for a person in this profession is having a good head for numbers combined with imaginative ideas to kindly part people and companies from their money.
Getting hired as a fundraising consultant is usually more about experience than it is about education. Most people in this position, on the other hand, have a degree in communications, marketing, advertising, or business. Job candidates with a track record of fundraising in a variety of markets and environments are a plus.