6 Reasons Your Organization Might Need to Work with a Nonprofit Consultant
Running a nonprofit organization comes with a unique set of challenges that they need to overcome – whether that’s how to find new ways to fundraise or how to make the biggest impact that you can with limited resources. Your amazing staff and board are probably well-suited to take on a lot of the obstacles that you find in your path.
At some point, however, almost every nonprofit organization is going to face a challenge that requires some outside help. But luckily, there are people who spend every minute of their day helping nonprofit professionals find the best path forward.
Nonprofit consulting services are there for those seemingly insurmountable challenges. But in a real-world situation, what are some of these situations that might necessitate talking to a nonprofit consultant?
Your nonprofit is facing a challenge that no one in the organization has experienced before
With your staff of seasoned nonprofit professionals who have decades of experience between them, your organization is ready for any situation, right? Well, that’s not always the case!
It’s almost certain that your organization will reach a fork in the road that’s unfamiliar to everyone in the organization. While it may feel like you’ll never figure out how to move past this problem, sometimes the best thing you can do is step back and contact some nonprofit consulting firms!
We’re here for organizations like your own who need someone experienced in a specific problem, whether there’s a need to build new fundraising programs or take on the strategic planning process for the first time! Talking to someone who has faced a similar challenge and helped organizations overcome them can be an important first step forward.
There’s a lack of consensus about a major decision your nonprofit needs to make
Every organization struggles when there are a few strong options for the best path forward! When decision-makers are unable to come to a consensus, that’s the perfect time for an organization to reach out to a nonprofit consultant.
Nonprofit consultants are ready to talk through the pros and cons of different choices that organizations are considering, and they’re going to help create consensus around one of the choices by facilitating conversations among the staff and stakeholders. Then, your organization can focus on the day-to-day work of furthering your mission!
An issue with the workplace culture needs to be addressed
Issues with workplace culture are one of the biggest obstacles that nonprofit organizations face. Nonprofit work can often be stressful – funding is limited, there can be a high amount of staff turnover, resources are tight. These stressors can often have a less-than-ideal impact on workplace culture.
When you’re trying to address these types of issues, everyone within the organization is too close to the issue. Many nonprofits have found it hugely beneficial to reach out to someone who can provide nonprofit consulting services in similar situations. A third party can be the key to facilitating conversations that mend the workplace culture.
Your leadership and board focus on day-to-day, but your organization needs to have a high-level strategic conversation
When you’re busy making sure that you’re making an impact in your community, it’s hard to pull back and look at high-level strategy. The day-to-day work needs to get done, and all of your staff, leadership, and board are focused on accomplishing that.
When it becomes clear that some of that focus needs to shift to a high-level strategic conversation, maybe it’s time to consider consulting services for nonprofit organizations.
Nonprofit consultants are experts in assisting with long-term planning so you can stay focused on the day-to-day work that needs to be done!
Your organization is planning to undergo a major change
Sometimes, a major change can feel like a fog creeping up the horizon and threatening to obscure the path forward. It’s hard to imagine what the future will look like when you’ve been used to the way things are.
It doesn’t matter what the change is, from new leadership to trying to expand your services. Nonprofit consultants have helped many organizations navigate uncharted territory, and they can help your organization move forward, too!
You need a third party to challenge or validate leadership perspectives
Nonprofit consulting services can be invaluable to an organization who needs to challenge or validate leadership perspectives. A consultant can come in as a third party and help to make sure that proposed paths forward are in line with industry best practices. This can be an essential step to make sure that your organization is making the best decision possible.
Are you looking for a nonprofit consultant?
At Harper Consulting Group, we’re always available for free consultations! If you feel like your organization could benefit from working with a nonprofit consulting firm, reach out anytime!