Most consultants arrive with solutions. We come with questions.
A few of the things organizations ask before we begin. If yours isn't here, we would love to hear it. Just ask, a real person answers.
How is this different from traditional consulting?
Most consultants arrive with solutions. We come with questions. You won't get a predetermined playbook, you'll get support for your vision.
What is Development 101?
Our course for people who ended up responsible for fundraising without ever training for it. Where the money comes from, how to ask, and what to do after someone says yes. See what it covers, or take the grant-funded version at no cost.
Is the training really free?
For eligible Massachusetts employers, yes. The state's Workforce Training Fund reimburses the full $3,000 tuition per person, up to $15,000 per organization each calendar year. The Free Training page has a sixty second checker that tells you where you stand.
What if we don't know what we need?
That's exactly when deep listening matters most. Together, we'll uncover what you already know but may not have articulated.
Don't we need "best practices"?
You need practices that work in your context. What's best for one organization might be harmful to another. Context is everything.
What if we've been burned by consultants before?
While probably well-meaning, they likely just put the turtle back in the river, handing you solutions without asking. We invest in learning your perspective before suggesting anything.
How do you measure success?
First, we ask how you measure success. Then we track progress toward your goals and outcomes.
Is this approach too slow for urgent needs?
No. We share strategies designed for the greatest immediate impact, without sacrificing long-term, sustainable growth.
This works best when the fit is real.
This approach works best for organizations that:
- Value their own wisdom and seek an external, unbiased perspective
- Want to refine their fundraising approach and help form the strategy
- Refuse self-limitations
Practical requirements:
- In operation for 2+ years
- Annual budget of $500k to $10M, or eligibility for the grant-funded training
- Some philanthropic revenue to build upon
- Leadership ready for collaborative transformation
- Openness to new fundraising ideas
Under that budget? Massachusetts employers with 100 or fewer staff can take Development 101 through the state's Workforce Training Fund instead, at no cost to the organization.
A note on fit
If you're looking for someone to impose changes your board wants but staff resists, or you want a pre-packaged "proven system," we will happily refer you to a consultant that meets these needs. If you want someone who will respect your context and support your vision, let's talk.
Think we might be a good fit?
Let's start with a complimentary conversation. No pitch, no binder. Just a chance to tell us where you're trying to go.