For a lot of nonprofits, fundraising is one of the most important (and stressful) parts of the job. It keeps programs running and lights on, but it will also take up an incredible amount of time and energy. This is why many organizations look for outside help from fundraising firms. The right partner can boost your impact. The wrong one can create more work for you. Or worse, they can damage your organization.
So before you hire fundraising help, here are a few things to think about when bringing in third-party fundraising support.
Every nonprofit organization operates with a budget (and if you don't, please get out of the business). But surprisingly, far fewer have a technology plan. Why do we treat financial planning as essential, yet overlook technology planning as optional? A thoughtful technology plan is critical. It guides decision-making, reduces risk, and helps forecast costs. Without one, nonprofits are left vulnerable to inefficiencies, emergencies, and even security threats.
Whether your nonprofit relies on just a handful of volunteers or coordinates the efforts of hundreds, one of the most critical elements of volunteer management is retention. Consistency in your volunteer base helps ensure reliable program delivery, but retention doesn’t simply mean holding on to every volunteer forever.
Instead, effective retention is about understanding volunteer motivations, preventing burnout, and creating pathways for growth. And just as importantly, it’s about recognition—making sure that volunteers feel valued, appreciated, and connected to the mission.
In the world of business, the role of consultants is often misunderstood. There’s a common misconception that consultants are there to roll up their sleeves and get hands-on with implementation. But let’s set the record straight: consultants don’t implement. Instead, our job is to help *you* implement.
Think of consultants as the architects of your business strategy. We are the idea generators, the strategists, and the innovators. Our role is to craft a blueprint that guides your business toward its goals. We bring fresh perspectives, industry expertise, and strategic insights that can drive significant growth and improvement. But when it comes to putting those plans into action, that’s where you come in.
Here’s why this distinction matters:
Strong donor relationships don’t depend on grand gestures—they’re built on consistent, meaningful touchpoints over time. While many nonprofit leaders worry that staying connected requires large budgets or dedicated teams, the truth is that small, low-effort actions can make a big difference in donor retention and long-term engagement.
Here are practical, time-efficient ideas your nonprofit can put into action right away.
In today’s volatile political climate, immigration-focused nonprofits face increasing risks—not just to their funding and public perception, but to their physical safety and digital security as well. With rising anti-immigrant rhetoric, targeted harassment, and even acts of violence, organizations advocating for immigrant communities must take proactive steps to protect their people, spaces, and mission.
Here are practical strategies nonprofits can adopt to reduce vulnerability, build resilience, and stay secure without compromising their values.