If your nonprofit organization has ever considered looking for some help with any aspect of your operations, planning, or leadership, it’s crucial that you weigh all your options before getting started. Knowing exactly what you need from a nonprofit consultant prior to engaging them will go a long way to save time and resources in the long-run. Here are FIVE ways your organization might work with a nonprofit consultant.

  1. Executive Searches & Transition Management. As we’ve seen over the last year and a half, Executive Director and CEO positions are turning over in many fields and nonprofits are looking at themselves critically to find the next right leader. A nonprofit consultant can offer a comprehensive and flexible process that combines the executive search with leadership coaching and support for the new hire to ensure that your organization is positioned for long-term success.
  2. Leadership & Board Development. Nonprofit organizations that make a commitment to talent management, for both board and staff, achieve greater results. Today, helping develop good leadership and strong boards leads to good organizational climate, thus improved staff engagement and high performing cultures. Seek out a consultant that offers a customizable approach to your professional development – providing workshops as well as longer-term leadership development programs designed to build strong future leaders.
  3. Organizational Assessment & Action Plan. Whether you want to assess your culture, program performance, staff satisfaction, or board engagement, conducting a single or multi-dimensional assessment can give you a deeper understanding of where your nonprofit stands. A key function of any assessment is to identify strengths, shared concerns, and priority actions. Seek out a nonprofit consultant who can work collaboratively with you to create the kind of assessment you need and then develop a plan (e.g., one-day retreat, series of meetings with staff and/or board) to identify goals and strategies for moving the organization forward with action and accountability.
  4. Strategic Planning. When ready, strategic planning helps nonprofits achieve clarity, set priorities and strategies, determine resource implications, and establish outcome metrics. The planning process is also integral to helping create a common language, understanding alternate viewpoints, and developing a strong sustainable future. Experienced nonprofit consultants can help work with you to determine what planning model best fits your strategic goals and needs.
  5. All of the Above. Consider a retainer relationship! At The Strategy Group, we believe that being good communicators, setting clear expectations, and establishing the right chemistry are the magic ingredients to getting the most out of the relationships with our nonprofit clients. With retainer relationships, nonprofit consultants are committed to guiding and supporting nonprofits from top to bottom and establishing a long-term relationship to be available whenever you need knowledge and experience – council and advice – at a moment’s notice. It can often be the best value for supporting your organization both short and long-term.

Are you looking for a consultant? Be sure to check out our blog on the 10 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Nonprofit Consultant to get started in the right direction!

And don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions. We’d love to chat with you. To set up a 30-minute time on the TSG calendar, click here:  https://calendly.com/dwhertz/time-with-debra