Start a Fundraising Consulting Business
Organizations hire fundraising consultants to provide assistance in developing strategic fundraising plans designed to help them reach their financial goals. Beyond researching an organization's past fundraising activities and determining how they should approach future fundraising efforts, consultants often manage volunteers, head up public relations efforts and build donor prospects. They are skilled at connecting organizations with potential vendors, suppliers and campaign supports. Fundraising consultants work as contractors charging an hourly, daily or per-project rate.
Instructions
1. Establish yourself as a fundraising professional by working as an employee for a firm or non-profit organization. Experience and the ability to prove measurable results are key in branching off on your own to become a fundraising consultant. Join an organization like the National Society of Fundraising Executives to network with other fundraising professionals.
2. Determine the type of fundraising services you'd like to offer potential clients. Some fundraising consultants specialize in specific areas, while others offer a wide range of services based on their experience and education. Services may include planning and hosting events, grant writing, coordinating direct mail fundraising efforts, organizing online efforts, providing feasibility studies, staff training, planned giving and campaign management. Decide how much you'll charge for each service you provide and whether you want to receive hourly, daily, retainer or per project fees.
3. Create a concise business plan that outlines how you'll operate, finance and market your fundraising business. Determine where you will get your start-up funding.
4. Come up with a business name, register it with your state office and obtain any licenses you need to operate. Familiarize yourself with local and fundraising laws and procedures. Decide whether you'll run your fundraising business from home or lease office space. Set up a home office in an area that's from free distractions and large enough for client meetings.
5. Work with a graphic designer to create a logo and business card for your fundraising business. Have the designer create a letterhead you can use when communicating with clients, sponsors, colleagues vendors and suppliers. Work with a website designer to create an online presence for your fundraising business. Your website should describe your business, outline your experience and give potential clients a way to get in contact with you.
6. Begin to blog on your business website to create a place where potential clients can come for expert advice, tips and news on fundraising.
7. Connect with local businesses and organizations in your target area who may need fundraising services. Attend networking events, join local business associations and pitch stories to local publications that offer tips for raising funds, securing donors and recruiting volunteers.
8. Research fundraising software and purchase the one that best suites your business' needs. Fundraising software helps consultants diversify fundraising efforts for clients, track and analyze results, manage contacts and their information and prepare reports for presentation to organizations. Popular fundraising software includes Fundraiser's Edge, DonorPerfect and DonorExpress.
