Why Small Nonprofits Should Invest in Consulting Services… And How to Afford Them (Part II)
Small nonprofits with limited budgets can still afford to work with nonprofit consultants, grant writers, and board trainers by employing various strategies and being resourceful. Here are some tips on how they can engage these experts without breaking the bank:
Prioritize Needs
Start by identifying the organization's most pressing needs and prioritize them. Determine which areas would benefit the most from professional assistance, such as grant writing, strategic planning, or board development. This will help you allocate your limited resources effectively and focus on areas with the most significant impact.
Set a Clear Budget
Establish a clear budget for these services based on your organization's financial situation and priorities. It's essential to be realistic about what you can afford while still allocating sufficient funds to get the desired results. Review your overall budget to see if you can reallocate funds from other areas or reduce expenses to create room for these services.
Utilize Grants and Other Funding
Look for grant opportunities specifically designed to cover capacity-building expenses, such as consulting or training fees. Many foundations recognize the importance of investing in organizational capacity and may provide funding to support these initiatives. Also, consider using a portion of your general operating funds or unrestricted grants to cover these costs.
Partner With Other Nonprofits
Collaborate with other small nonprofits to share the cost of hiring a consultant, grant writer, or board trainer. By pooling resources, you can access valuable expertise at a more affordable price. This approach also provides opportunities for networking, shared learning, and collaboration.
Hire on a Project Basis
Instead of committing to long-term consulting contracts, negotiate to engage experts on a project or short-term basis to address specific needs. This approach can help control costs while still benefiting from their expertise.
Invest in Staff Development
If hiring external experts is not feasible, consider investing in staff development to build your team's skills in areas such as grant writing or board management. Look for affordable training resources, such as webinars, workshops, or online courses, or even 1:1 coaching with a consultant (which can be less costly than hiring the same person to provide services directly) that can help your staff acquire new skills and knowledge.
Track Your Return on Investment (ROI)
To ensure that you are getting the most value from the services you invest in, track the outcomes and measure the ROI. This will help you make informed decisions about allocating resources and adjusting your budget in the future.
Small nonprofits with limited budgets can still access the expertise of nonprofit consultants, grant writers, and board trainers by being strategic, resourceful, and creative in their approach. By prioritizing needs, partnering with other organizations, and/or investing in staff development, they can access valuable support while staying within budget constraints.
Check out Part I of this series, where I cover the benefits of consulting services for small nonprofits with limited budets.
