Consulting Services
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Nonprofits First refers and places consultants with organizations that request assistance to improve organization effectiveness. Our consultants are specialists in their fields, with a deep understanding of the nonprofit environment. Examples of typical consulting assignments and outcomes include:
Board Development
- Understand duties and responsibilities of board members, including legal and fiduciary requirements.
- Learn ’best practices’ in board governance in formal or informal sessions.
- Discuss effective recruiting and retention practices.
- Introduce new government guidelines for nonprofits.
- Discuss board diversity as an effectiveness tool. (May include a board workshop)
Deliverables: Preparation of Board Roles and Responsibilities, Preparation of Board Best Practices, Preparation of Recommended Implementation
Strategic Plan/Business Plan
- Help participants understand what strategic/business planning is, and why it is essential to nonprofit agencies
- Identify essential elements to include in an agency strategic/business plan.
- Identify, refine, revise, and enhance the agency’s mission, vision and values.
- Identify key players/stakeholders to participate in a strategic/business planning process.
- Learn to conduct a scan (or assessment) of agency’s internal and external environment.
- Ensure agency’s programs and services are aligned with mission. (May include a strategic planning workshop)
Deliverables: Preparation of Strategic and/or Business Plan, Strategic Planning Workshop
Finance
- Help agency staff and other non-financial participants develop a better understanding of basic financial statements.
- Review basic internal control requirements and why they are important.
- Present ’best practices’ in financial management and make recommendations for adoption/implementation.
- Describe basic cost allocation methodology.
- Discuss the role of auditors and management letter.
- Recommend development of a finance policies/procedures manual. (May include a finance workshop)
Deliverables: Preparation of Finance Plan with Recommendations and Action Steps, Preparation of Finance Policies and Procedures Manual
Fund Development
- Identify fund development strategies appropriate for an agency.
- Identify components of a fund development plan.
- Comply with relevant rules and requirements for fundraising.
- Identify basic processes for soliciting, managing and acknowledging gifts and donors.
- Review fundraising tools, including software, to increase fund development efficiency.
- Discuss realistic expectations for agency fundraising.
- Review roles of the board and staff in fund development activities. (May include fund development workshop)
Deliverables: Preparation of Fund Development Plan and/or Case Statement
Media/Marketing
- Review components of an effective media relations program.
- Identify groups of stakeholders to appeal to and methods used.
- Review universe of media vehicles – their benefits and limitations (includes social networking, email blasts, RSS, blogs, agency newsletters, direct mail, special events, brochures, neighborhood newsletters, television, and radio).
- Identify message(s) and agency spokesperson role/responsibilities.
- Discuss importance of developing a crisis management plan when conducting business with the public.
- Recommend elements to include in an annual communications plan.
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