Nonprofit consulting: Services, costs, & how to hire

Nonprofit consultants can play many different roles. They may act as advisers, evaluating your situation, diagnosing problems, and creatively solving them. Some are hired to focus on very specific tasks, like finding and implementing an effective donor management system or hiring a new executive director.

This guide will walk you through what a consultant can do for your organization, how much these services typically cost, and how to find the right one for your needs. Plus, we’ll introduce you to some of the best nonprofit consulting firms in the social impact sphere to get you started. 

Key takeaways

• Consulting for nonprofit organizations comes in many different forms
• Take your time and be mindful when hiring a nonprofit consultant 
• Consultant fees can vary, but expect to pay $100/hour or more
• You can find dozens of vetted, high-quality consultants within the Givebutter Experts hub

Core nonprofit consulting services

From donor engagement strategy to leadership development, consultant offerings are as varied as the needs of nonprofit organizations. 

The most common consulting services for nonprofits include the following:

• Fundraising & development 💸 Fundraising consultants can help create an overall fundraising strategy, plan major capital campaigns or gala events, support prospect research for major donors, or oversee grant-writing projects. ‍
• Organizational development 👁️ Consultants in this area may facilitate strategic planning processes, conduct feasibility studies, implement stronger nonprofit accounting or DEI practices, or help organizations scale up their services, programs, or staffing.‍
• Leadership 🤩 These consultants often provide talent management or executive search services to find a new executive director, recruit and coach new board members, or provide one-on-one mentorship for organizational leaders. ‍
• Technology & marketing 🤖 Tech consultants work with clients to implement new data management systems and CRM platforms, set up cybersecurity measures, or provide support for website development and marketing tools. 

Many consulting agencies offer nonprofit clients a combination of these services, while others specialize in just one or two areas.  

How to choose the right nonprofit consultant in 3 steps

Every industry is filled with people who can talk the talk but can’t walk the walk—even the nonprofit sector. Use these steps to find a qualified nonprofit consultant who can take a customized approach to help you meet (or beat) your organizational goals.

1. Search for candidates 🔍

One of the best ways to create your shortlist of consulting candidates is to ask your fellow nonprofit professionals. Ask your peers for testimonials and reviews, and look for firms with a track record of success.

Also, take advantage of professional networks like the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) or the Alliance for Nonprofit Management.

You’ll need to decide whether you prefer to hire a full-service firm or partner with an individual. Firms can invest more people and resources into your projects, but come with a steeper price tag. On the other hand, a specialized individual may be the perfect fit if you’re clear on what you need and have a limited budget.

Once you’ve done some research, reach out to the most promising candidates. A common way to narrow down the list is to publish a request for proposal (RFP) that outlines the details of your project and solicits proposals from potential consultants.

2. Interview and assess 💬

When you’re busy or need support fast, it’s tempting to skip the interview process. After all, it can be time-consuming to talk with multiple candidates and their client references too. But it’s best to dig into the details now, so you don’t run into trouble later.

At a minimum, note how many years of experience in nonprofit fundraising the candidate has, as well as their education, certifications, and other qualifications.

You may be looking for a jack of all trades with a little know-how in every speciality. Or, perhaps you need someone with experience in your specific sector, such as healthcare or higher education.

Here are some other important questions you might want to ask a potential consultant:

• Have you worked with a nonprofit organization like ours before?
• Have you done a project like this before?
• On a typical day, how many other clients or projects will you be handling?
• How much time should our board and staff expect to dedicate to supporting your research, strategy, and services?
• Do you see yourself as an adviser, a facilitator, or a participant in this project?
• How would your clients describe your project management skills?

During the meeting, explain the goals of your project and confirm that they have the capacity to finish it on time and within your specified budget. Note whether they’re engaged in the conversation and asking probing questions about your team and your cause.

3. Sign on the dotted line ✅

Once you’ve selected a consultant, prepare a written agreement that summarizes everything, including:

• The scope of the work
• Specific tasks and deliverables
• Payment schedule and fees
• Timelines, roles, and responsibilities
• Description of the final product

This step is the most important part of this process. Consider having a legal consultant look over the agreement for an added layer of due diligence.

How much does nonprofit consulting cost?

The short answer is that it varies based on the consultant’s level of expertise, location, and the scope of work. Generally, you can expect to pay at least $75-$250 per hour for consultancy services, and more for large projects, on an hourly or per-project basis, or via a retainer. 

Hourly 🕰️

With an hourly fee, you can meet as needed for general campaign counsel or advice. Be sure you understand what the consultant’s hourly rate is and how it changes based on the service or time of year. 

Project-based 🦺

The cost of project-based billing depends on the scope and complexity of the work. The firm or consultant may also estimate the time involved. They’ll likely quote you a flat fee for a project with a defined time period and specific deliverables.

Retainer 📅

Lastly, you can pay a retainer fee upfront or on an ongoing basis, such as biweekly, monthly, or quarterly, for longer-term projects. Always ask about additional charges. For example, a consultant may offer free video and phone calls but charge a higher hourly rate for in-person meetings and travel.

Avoid commission-based fees ⛔

Steer clear of any consulting firms and individuals that encourage or accept commission-based fundraising, which refers to when an organization compensates its staff or fundraisers with a commission for each contribution they raise. It’s against the code of ethics for both the AFP and the National Council of Nonprofits.

7 nonprofit consulting firms that should be on your radar 

We’ve provided all the steps you need to find the right consultant, but we wouldn’t leave you without a cheat sheet! 

Save yourself some research time by exploring our top recommendations for consulting firms, individual consultants, and other nonprofit services, all of whom are trusted Givebutter Experts. 

C.A. Mayer Consulting ✍️

With a track record of successful grant proposals and tailored consulting services, C.A. Mayer Consulting is dedicated to driving social impact through strategic planning, comprehensive training, and personalized support for nonprofits.

Founder and CEO Cyndi Mayer leads this full-service agency that specializes in grant writing and comprehensive capacity-building services to help nonprofits become more resilient, effective, equitable, and sustainable.

Donor Relations Group 🫶

Lynne Wester, AKA the Donor Relations Guru, and her team at the Donor Relations Group are experts on fundraising and donor engagement, supporting nonprofits to create meaningful experiences for their supporters at every stage of the donor lifecycle. 

Offering a wide range of bespoke consulting and coaching services, including donor relations assessments and fund audits, Lynne and her team also provide numerous free learning resources while infusing joy and humor into everything they do—they even have a podcast called Fundraising Is Funny!

Electivate 🪴

Committed to serving underrepresented nonprofit leaders and BIPOC-led organizations, Electivate works directly with nonprofit founders and leaders in their initial stages of development, supporting them to serve their communities more effectively. Electivate’s services include one-on-one coaching on leadership development as well as training on nonprofit management, board governance, fundraising, and more. 

Honey and Ginger 🍯

Founded by Givebutter’s very own Stephanie Barnhill (you might recognize her as the host of our monthly webinars!), Honey and Ginger is a fundraising consulting firm that collaborates with clients' strategy, while providing an extra set of hands on short-term projects. From fundraising platform and operational support to grants strategy, H+G offers hands-on help and “a kick of sweetness” to boot!

J Campbell Social Marketing 👍

Julia Campbell is a digital storytelling superstar. Her digital marketing consulting business, J Campbell Social Marketing, focuses exclusively on mission-driven organizations, offering one-on-one consulting, small-group training, and a treasure trove of online courses, video workshops, and books. 

Whether she’s leading a highly engaging webinar on social media best practices or diving deep into donor-advised funds or DEI on her Nonprofit Nation podcast, Julia always offers nonprofits high-quality, highly applicable insights and tools. 

Mallory Erickson Coaching 🧠

“Nonprofit leaders are plagued by burnout, scarcity mindset, and outdated fundraising practices—and it’s affecting our collective impact,” says Mallory Erickson. Having led extremely successful fundraising efforts at several nonprofits, Mallory has developed a science-backed framework to help changemakers raise more funds without burning out. 

From one-on-one executive coaching services to her library of free resources and “What the Fundraising” podcast (now also a book!), Mallory will undoubtedly make you a better fundraiser.

Positive Equation 🔂

Dana Snyder founded Positive Equation to help nonprofits build, grow, and scale their monthly giving programs. Whether your organization is brand new to the world of recurring donations or looking to improve your existing strategy, you can join Dana’s various learning cohorts or sign up for more dedicated one-on-one support. Check out Dana’s podcast, book, and the annual Monthly Giving Summit to see this joy-filled practitioner in action.  

Swaim Strategies 🎟️

Nonprofit event planning can feel extremely daunting, but Samantha Swaim, founder of Swaim Strategies, is here to help. As fundraising event strategists, thought-partners, storytellers, and advocates, the team at Swaim provides easy-to-implement tools and resources for organizing successful virtual and in-person events. Their Gala 911 service even provides emergency support for fundraising events! 

Partner with the best 👏

There’s no doubt that you have a talented nonprofit team, but some projects and initiatives will inevitably fall outside of your skill set. When that happens, a nonprofit consulting firm can swoop in to evaluate your needs and assets, build out fundraising strategies, start hiring, or simply provide a second pair of eyes on your key campaigns.

The right consultant at the right time can transform your organization, leaving you better prepared to fulfill your mission and serve your community. But first, you’ve got to find a match. 

Ready for the tailored services, insights, and advice a nonprofit consultant can provide? Sign up for your free Givebutter account and start exploring more offerings from our directory of Givebutter Experts. 

If you’re a consultant yourself, become a partner today! 

Frequently asked questions about nonprofit consulting 

What exactly does a nonprofit consultant do?

A nonprofit consultant provides specialized expertise to help organizations solve specific challenges, such as strategic planning, fundraising, or board development. They act as objective advisors who offer external perspectives and tools that a nonprofit’s internal staff may not have the time or technical skill to implement.

When is the right time for a nonprofit to hire a consultant?

Nonprofits typically hire consultants when they reach a "growth plateau," face a complex transition (like a leadership change), or need to execute a high-stakes project like a capital campaign. It is the ideal move when the organization has a clear problem to solve but lacks the internal bandwidth or specialized knowledge to address it effectively.

How much do nonprofit consulting services typically cost?

Costs vary widely depending on the consultant's experience and the project's scope, ranging from hourly rates of $75–$250 to flat project fees reaching several thousand dollars. Many consultants offer tiered pricing or "retainer" models to ensure their services are accessible to organizations with smaller operating budgets.

How can a nonprofit measure the Return on Investment (ROI) of a consultant?

ROI can be measured through quantitative gains, such as a percentage increase in grant awards or individual donations, and qualitative improvements like better board engagement or a clearer strategic roadmap. Ultimately, a successful engagement should leave the nonprofit more efficient and better equipped to achieve its mission than it was before.