Let’s face it. Fundraising is tough, and hiring a consultant probably isn’t in your budget. But what if bringing in an expert is exactly what you need to raise more money? A good consultant can offer fresh ideas, real strategies, and evidence-based advice that actually works. They can also help you tackle the unique challenges your nonprofit faces. So how do you know when it’s time to ask for outside help? In this article, we will go over some signs that the time might be right to pick up the phone and call for support.

Declining Donor Retention

Donor retention rate is a good indicator of how many donors are actually staying with your mission. If you’ve noticed that your donors aren’t sticking around, start by looking at your fundraising approach. Losing donors is frustrating and can sometimes feel personal, but understanding why they stop giving is crucial. Is it because the donation process is difficult to navigate? Or is it a lack of communication and follow-up? Or is it something else? A fundraising consultant can help you analyze all of your donor retention metrics and identify patterns that explain why some donors don’t come back.

Stalled Revenue Growth

Has your fundraising revenue plateaued?  If so, you’re certainly not alone. Many nonprofits will occasionally hit a point where their fundraising efforts stall and feel stuck. Your strategies no longer work. Donors don't seem interested in giving. Working harder doesn't help. Figuring out how to overcome stalled fundraising revenue is important to getting your nonprofit back on track. If the answer to your halted revenue isn't obvious, bringing in a consultant can be a great solution. They can help figure out what might be holding you back, whether it's not having varied fundraising channels, running campaigns that aren't very effective, or even experiencing donor fatigue (when supporters get tired of donating). 

Lacking a Clear Strategy

Clarity is everything. And lack of clarity within your nonprofit's strategy will likely put you and your team into reactive mode. Instead of planning ahead, you and your team will constantly be reacting to issues that come up. Chasing after the next big donation or making important decisions without a long-term plan will only waste your resources and possibly cause you to drift away from your mission. In such a scenario, working with a consultant can be very helpful. A good fundraising consultant can assist you in developing a detailed, actionable strategy that suits your mission and goals. They can also help set realistic fundraising targets, identify the best methods for reaching your donor base, and make sure everyone on your team is on the same page. This way, your organization can be more organized and focused, making it easier to achieve its goals. More clarity in your strategy means fewer wasted resources and greater success in your actual mission.

Struggling to Get Major Gifts or Grants

Major gifts and grants are essential for nonprofit growth. In fact, 80% of donations at a nonprofit come from 20% of donors. This is a large percentage of donations coming from a few major donors. This also shows how incredibly important major gifts are to a nonprofit's well-being.

The catch is that it can be quite challenging to acquire these essential major gifts. If your nonprofit has considerable difficulty connecting with major donors or getting grant funding, hiring a fundraising consultant can make a world of difference. These experts can guide you on how to build relationships with donors, improve your grant writing skills, and develop strong proposals. They can also help you refine your case for support, identify potential funders, and create a compelling ask that will considerably increase your chances of success.

Overworked Team 

According to the Center for Effective Philanthropy, there is an increasing concern for staff burnout among nonprofit leaders. About 95% of nonprofit leaders are concerned with staff burnout, and 34% have had major issues with burnout. This is a significant problem nonprofits are facing, as it causes vacancies, staffing issues, and risk to the mission. 

If your staff is feeling overwhelmed and having a hard time managing everyday tasks along with fundraising duties, hiring a consultant can lighten the load. Another experienced person who can take on some of the more challenging work, share their special knowledge, and create better, streamlined systems might just be what your entire team needs. The right consultant can also increase your organization's professional standards so that your team feels more confident and expert at fundraising. It's a win-win.

Planning a Big Capital Campaign

Launching a capital campaign is a big commitment that requires very careful planning, a lot of resources, and a well-executed strategy. Knowing where and how to start can be incredibly daunting. What if your campaign fails? Where do you even start? If your organization is gearing up for a large fundraising initiative, hiring a consultant can help make sure that your campaign is set up for success. Consultants are experts at running these large-scale initiatives and can help conduct cornerstone donor interviews and provide guidance on donor messaging, campaign timelines, and logistics. Ultimately, a great consultant will help you reach your capital campaign goals and navigate issues that may come up.  

Conclusion

At the end of the day, fundraising is hard and requires a lot of grit. You’re juggling donors, campaigns, and day-to-day operations, all while trying to grow your nonprofit’s impact. And sometimes, no matter how hard you work, you just don’t see the results you need. That’s where bringing in a consultant isn’t an expense. It’s an investment.

A good fundraising consultant can help you break through roadblocks, streamline your strategy, and make sure your efforts actually translate into more funding. If any of these above challenges sound familiar, it might be time to get some outside support. AmPhil’s team of experts has helped countless nonprofits get unstuck, raise more money, and build sustainable fundraising strategies. If you’re ready to take your fundraising to the next level, we’re here to help.