Nonprofit management can be challenging but necessary for worthy causes. Leaders in this sector must tackle numerous roles to ensure their organizations run smoothly. However, it’s hard to do everything by yourself. Sometimes, you need outside assistance to run at optimal levels. What are the best nonprofit consulting firms to help your group? There are numerous options worldwide, so here’s how to find the right one.
Methodology
Deciding the best nonprofit consulting firms requires evaluating what their missions are and the results they produce. Here are the criteria used to gauge the superior assistants in this sector.
Results
The most important benchmark for a nonprofit consulting firm is its results. How does it help your organization with staffing, fundraising, marketing and other critical factors? Experience is crucial, and the firm should have an impeccable track record of success.
Consultants should help you with the most pressing modern issues. For example, 46% of nonprofit organizations say rising operating expenses are their biggest challenge. The firm you hire should reduce overhead costs while ensuring your team achieves excellent results.
Reputation
Along with results, reputation should be high on your list for nonprofit consulting firms. The partners should have industrywide respect and a track record of working well. Well-established firms have deep knowledge of nonprofits and the best fundraising and branding strategies.
Niche
Many firms offer multiple services to help nonprofits achieve their goals. However, your organization may require a specific utility. For example, raising money could be your most immediate goal. What are the best nonprofit consultants for fundraising specifically? Demonstrating strength in a niche is powerful in this area of consulting.
Comprehensiveness
While a niche is helpful, your nonprofit could benefit from comprehensive services. These consultants take a holistic approach to your organization, aiding in fundraising, strategy, marketing, social media, grants and human resources.
Adaptability
Consulting firms should be able to respond quickly and help nonprofits prepare for regulations and social shifts. Modernity is another crucial factor, as the partners should embrace the newest technologies to keep your organization at peak performance.
What Are the Best Nonprofit Consulting Firms?
Finding the right consulting firm for your nonprofit is crucial. Which ones are the best for your organization? Here are the 12 to consider.
1. Orr Group
Steve and Carol Orr co-founded Orr Group in 1991. The married pair brings Goldman Sachs and fundraising expertise to nonprofit consulting. While it started in event management, Orr Group has evolved to include comprehensive services.
Key Features
| Campaign | Orr Group leads with campaign-building services. Its professionals will build your campaign strategy and make your mission more attractive to donors. |
| Fundraising | Fundraising is crucial to nonprofit success. Orr Group leverages its business expertise to raise money through corporate partnerships, foundation relationships and major gifts. |
| Leadership | Orr Group helps nonprofits by coaching leaders, maintaining stability and continuing success even in tough times. |
| Planned Giving | Experts say baby boomers will transfer $50 trillion in wealth to their children. Orr Group ensures your nonprofit is ready for planned giving. |
| Strategy | Orr Group helps your nonprofit by assembling a vision and aligning leadership in strategic support. |
| Talent | Nonprofits are as effective as hardworking employees. Orr Group hires and retains talent and strengthens your diversity. |
2. Just Cause Consulting
You may be wondering what the best nonprofit fundraising consultants are if raising capital is your priority. Just Cause Consulting is a Chicago-based firm that specializes in fundraising for nonprofits. The consultants have earned certification from the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council because of its female leadership.
Key Features
| Donor Communication | Donor communication is essential for transparency and awareness. Just Cause Consulting tells your story and develops a strategy to expand your profile. |
| Donor Growth | Just Cause Consulting builds prospect lists, cultivates donors and customizes your growth strategy. |
| Fundraising Development | Fundraising is at the core of Just Cause Consulting. Its professionals will guide your annual fund, create diverse revenue streams and develop practical engagement tools. |
| Leadership Optimization | The firm empowers your leadership with coaching and training, leadership pipelines and infusing engagement. |
| Staff Training | Just Cause Consulting helps your human resources by teaching new skills, optimizing your structure and fostering better stewardship systems. |
3. Campbell & Co.
Campbell & Co. has elevated nonprofits and mission-driven organizations since 1976. The firm is unique because it leverages advanced analytics to make the best decisions possible. Campbell & Co. is an employee-owned enterprise that has served over 2,500 clients.
Key Features
| Communications | Campbell & Co. wields training materials and brand crafting to improve your message to donors. |
| Executive Search | The firm is unique because it helps your nonprofit find your next impactful leaders. Its thorough search will find a qualified and passionate match for your organization. |
| Fundraising | Campbell & Co. focuses on digital donor engagement with the rise of online giving. Digital giving supported a record $3.1 billion in donations during Giving Tuesday 2023. |
| Strategic Information | The consultants prioritize data and analytics to find your top prospects and validate your fundraising goals. These numbers are crucial for decision-making. |
4. The Bridgespan Group
What are the best nonprofit strategy consulting agencies for domestic and international services? The Bridgespan Group serves U.S. and global clients to meet their goals. Two decades of experience drive this Boston-based firm to create social change.
Key Features
| Growth and Scaling | Bridgespan professionals help your funding model to align with growth and future ambitions. |
| Funding Strategy | Your models depend on obtaining funding. Bridgespan finds new approaches and articulates your goals to attract new donors. |
| Network Design | The consultants use global networks and data analysis to heighten your impact. Bridgespan aids when making organizational and management changes within the network. |
| Organizational Effectiveness | Nonprofit management requires excellent leadership. Bridgespan develops talent, coaches your executive team and creates a blueprint for organizational success. |
| Service Portfolio Assessment | Bridgespan professionals help determine your program’s priorities. They also measure performance, develop action plans and make portfolio decisions. |
| Strategy | Working with Bridgespan strengthens your impact by leveraging relevant data and starting strategy discussions. |
5. The Alford Group
The Alford Group is another Chicago-based consulting firm, serving 3,000 nonprofits in nearly all 50 states since 1979. This group focuses on advancing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and social change.
Key Features
| Data Management | Surveys and advanced data tell The Alford Group how it can best serve your nonprofit organization. |
| DEI | The consultants facilitate DEI training and workshops to ensure your nonprofit is ready for organizational change. |
| Fundraising | The Alford Group leverages its fundraising counsel to implement campaigns, facilitate gift initiatives and conduct feasibility studies. |
| Governance and Leadership | Your board and staff will receive expert-backed training to ensure your governance has exemplary leadership. |
| Interim Staffing | The Alford Group hires interim staff to ensure your fundraising initiatives remain strong while onboarding other candidates. |
| Strategic and Organizational Planning | The firm’s consultants use benchmarks and strategic visions for a comprehensive collection of planning services. |
6. Kwala
Graphics may seem small, but they’re integral to nonprofit organizations. Kwala is a consulting firm specializing in professional design to improve your brand. You’ll get powerful images to draw attention and gain support for your cause.
Key Features
| Event Materials | Event materials are the backbone of your nonprofit’s festivities. Kwala designs custom banners, tickets, invitations and more. |
| Flyers | Kwala spreads awareness by detailing your cause on colorful flyers and catching attention. |
| Letters | Your fundraiser letters should stand tall among other nonprofits. Kwala designs stationery to ensure your message reaches key donors. |
| Logos | A nonprofit’s logo is vital because it should be recognizable. Kwala puts significant thought into the design and helps your organization boast an outstanding logo. |
| Postcards | Postcards are efficient messaging methods, and Kwala makes yours stand out with impactful visuals. |
| T-Shirts | Kwala creates custom T-shirts to spread brand visibility in an accessible medium. |
7. Nonprofit HR
Since 2000, Nonprofit HR’s goal has been to strengthen the social impact sector. The firm specializes in talent management and acquisition for nonprofits, ensuring your organization has the tools to succeed. The Washington, D.C.-based company is one of the oldest in its niche.
Key Features
| DEI | DEI initiatives are crucial to Nonprofit HR. It instills these beliefs in your organization, and the consultants create solutions that adhere to DEI principles. |
| HR Outsourcing | If you seek outside help with HR, this firm is here to help. You can leverage virtual and on-site outsourcing options to elevate your operations. |
| Search | Nonprofit HR specializes in talent acquisition through professional searches and recruitment. |
| Strategy and Advisory | You’ll receive workplace planning, performance management and project-centric HR support through strategy and advisory. |
| Total Rewards | Nonprofit HR sets up compensation and benefits programs to ensure you have the right business strategy moving forward. |
8. RealHR Solutions
RealHR Solutions is a New York-based consulting firm specializing in talent acquisition. The company prioritizes engagement, productivity and efficiency with its clients. It started as a three-person team and has become an excellent resource for nonprofits.
Key Features
| DEI | RealHR helps you foster a work culture supporting your values. |
| Employee Training | Consultants will train employees, manage relations and build effective communication channels for conflicts. |
| HR Capacity | The firm examines your HR team’s gaps and amplifies their strengths during organizational change. |
| HR Infrastructure | It will improve HR infrastructure by strengthening policies and supporting business goals. |
| Recruitment Strategies | RealHR formulates recruitment strategies to find, onboard and retain the best talent. |
| Talent Management | Talent management services bolster your leadership team to foster employee growth and development. |
9. Byrne Pelofsky + Associates, LLC
Byrne Pelofsky and Associates of Kansas City, Missouri, is a fundraising consulting firm for nonprofit organizations. The group helps causes in education, health, social services and other integral areas. These consulting professionals have raised $2.7 billion for their partners.
Key Features
| Campaign Organization | Byrne Pelofsky guides your organization through gift, capital, endowment and integrated campaigns with donor analytics. |
| Feasibility Studies | How strong is your campaign? The consultants will test your feasibility through internal and external testing. |
| General Fundraising | The consultants help your organization identify donors and unlock prospective partners. |
| Grant Writing | Byrne Pelofsky writes grant submissions and strengthens relationships with donors to increase your nonprofit’s visibility. |
| Planned Giving Program Development | This service prioritizes gift actualization to ensure mutual benefits between nonprofits and donors. |
10. Aly Sterling Philanthropy
Ohio-based Aly Sterling Philanthropy dedicates itself to nonprofit solutions, regardless of your initiatives. Founder Aly Sterling believes your organization can be effective with dedicated management, intentional strategies and passionate volunteers.
Key Features
| Board Catalyst | The philanthropy consultants examine committee work, dynamics and infrastructure to propel your board. |
| Corporate Philanthropy | It will strengthen your corporate philanthropy through better practices, reputation, engagement and loyal members. |
| Fundraising Solutions | Aly Sterling professionals create a blueprint, examine your feasibility and become your accountability partner. |
| Philanthropic Advising | It will guide your mission, assist with grantmaking, examine digital media needs and facilitate board training. |
| Strategic Planning | Consultants will survey stakeholders, craft goals, establish priorities and outline your plan for success. |
| Workshops and Presentations | Aly Sterling has three workshops to educate your team and establish more effective board policies. |
11. Propel Nonprofits
What are the best nonprofit consulting firms for financial services? Propel Nonprofit aids your monetary strategy and governance for a holistic approach to philanthropy. The Minnesota-based group boosts your mission through education and skill development.
Key Features
| Accounting | Propel Nonprofits removes barriers by coaching on financial reports, accounting software and other crucial systems. |
| Board Joining | This service helps you find board members to join your nonprofit. You can search for a specific skill set to get the right hire. |
| Fiscal Sponsorship | Consultants help your charitable causes by launching new ideas, building infrastructure and providing equitable resources. |
| Leaders Circles | The Leaders Circles program helps your C-suite solve challenges, network with other professionals and discuss ideas. |
| Lending | Propel Nonprofits helps your organization manage cash flow, finance projects and expand programs. |
| Strategic Consulting | Looking to the future is more manageable when consultants craft your vision and strategize for the most crucial goals. |
12. Media Cause
Modern digitization means nonprofits need a strong media presence. Media Cause helps your organization accelerate growth and facilitate better advertising campaigns. Since beginning in 2010, Media Cause has evolved into a 70-person team with 11 service areas nationwide.
Key Features
| Advertising | Market research and campaign setup can be challenging, but consultants boost your nonprofit with a paid advertising campaign. |
| Creative Strategy | Media Cause uplifts your creative strategy through insight and inspiration to develop key concepts. |
| Data Analytics | This service leverages data for insights and better decision-making. This information will help enhance growth and impact. |
| Google Ad Grants | Media Cause increases visibility by fully utilizing Google Ad Grants. Site visitors and subscribers are two key benefits. |
| SEO | High-quality content boosts your site on search engines and brings more traffic. This service helps your pages rank on the SERPs. |
| Social Media | Focused strategies enhance your online presence, fundraising and supporter education. |
What the Best Nonprofit Consulting Firms Are Doing for Results
The best nonprofit consulting firms specialize in fundraising, strategy, governance and inclusivity. Research shows that 74% have job vacancies, emphasizing the importance of staffing skills in today’s organizations.
Modern needs have expanded to include social media, online presence, SEO and other crucial elements of the digital era. These 12 agencies excel in helping clients achieve their goals.
