The Cost of Hiring a
FUNDRAISING
CONSULTANT
FAQ
Brought to you by DonorSearch and
Aly Sterling Philanthropy
ABOUT US
ALY STERLING
PHILANTHROPY
Aly Sterling Philanthropy is a full-service consulting
firm dedicated to helping nonprofits build
sustainable solutions to their problems.
Aly Sterling helps nonprofits of all shapes and sizes
with fundraising solutions, board governance,
strategic planning, and executive search services.
Learn more about Aly Sterling at
https://alysterling.com/
DONORSEARCH
DonorSearch is a leading prospect research company
that can help nonprofits identify high-level donors.
We’re more than a big data company; we’re a team
of dedicated industry veterans with the tools to help
you succeed.
Learn more about DonorSearch at
http://www.donorsearch.net/
COST OF HIRING A
FUNDRAISING CONSULTANT
FAQ
Q:
A:
What does it cost to hire a fundraising consultant?
Fees will vary depending on the complexity and scope of the project.
For example, the cost of a one-day board retreat will be much less than
hiring a firm or individual to help plan and execute a capital campaign.
Q:
A:
How do fundraising consultants charge for services?
lat fee: A fixed cost for projects with defined time periods and specific
F
deliverables. Examples include case for support creation and event planning.
Retainer fee: A set recurring cost (usually monthly) for larger, longer-term
projects such as capital campaigns.
Hourly fee: A pay-as-you-go charge for simple projects (such as weekly checkins or appeal letter writing) that don’t require a lot of time or involvement.
Q:
Why shouldn’t we pay our fundraising consultant a percentage of the
funds raised?
A:
When donors give to your nonprofit, they want as much of their donation
as possible to go directly toward your cause. Diverting funds from your
organization can discourage and alienate donors, regardless of how much you
raise overall.
Additionally, your work with the consultant should focus on setting up
systems and processes that will benefit the organization in the long run.
Pay based on percentages could encourage practices aimed at the short-term
— at the expense of relationship building and other important fundamentals.
Aim for sustainable practices in fundraising, and your organization will grow its
donor base and bottom line along with its need.
Q:
What expenses may not be included in a fundraising consultant’s fees for
the project?
A:
• Consultant travel and incidentals
• Design and printing for collateral materials
• Event and retreat expenses such as venue charges and food