What are the best strategies for finding clients as a fundraising consultant?

Allow yourself to network in niches slightly outside of your own as well. It lowers the competition in those areas and makes it easier to convert people from prospects to donors. Example: If you're in the healthcare industry, try networking with people in the hospitality industry as well. You both have a compassion for people and healing them through different means.

I have found that focusing on relationships is key. I try to always be available to provide a resource whether that’s a conversation relating to strategy, connecting them to someone else who can meet their need, or a link to a tool that may be beneficial to them. we recognize that we are not always the right consultant for every job and try to keep that at the forefront when connecting with potential clients. it’s not uncommon for us to have a client now that is the result of a relationship that has been in progress for for three or more years.

Old-school attention to detail & living the Golden Rule is the key. Getting to know people personally, their children, their greatest passions and interests, etc. Calls, texts, personal notes. Being there when they are in a tough time and recognizing their achievements during the good times. Listening, asking questions in terms of the other person’s interests. Little gifts when appropriate. All these seemingly small things make a huge difference. - John Matthew Knowles

This is often overlooked but in my opinion is the best starting place if you're new to consulting or freelancing. Email your network or contact them on LinkedIn letting them know of your plans and availability. Ask to set up a coffee online or in person. Former colleagues are your number 1 best prospect at the start and they can be really important for testimonials and word of mouth referrals. Start with who you know and your inner circle first.

In every business, providing value is the best way to make friends. I'm always impressed by innovators who began their journey by working in low-paying jobs in their field, and worked their ways up but continually putting themselves out there to humbly offer themselves in tasks that might not always have been glorious.

Referrals make your leads warm and more likely to donate to your cause. The best referrals are referrals that are also familiar with what your company does already.

"Ask and you shall receive", is one great advice. If you have a happy client, asking for a favor at the right time is not demanding, it's simply a moment of discomfort for you as the service provider. Get over the discomfort and ask when the time is right, and get it done in the moment, so your client doesn't forget or doesn't get back to you.

Referrals make your leads warm and more. The best referrals are referrals that are also familiar with what your company does already. When you have a happy client, asking for a favor at the right time is not demanding

Don't hesitate to ask satisfied clients or colleagues for referrals. Word-of-mouth recommendations can be powerful in the Higher Ed. consulting world.

Once you’ve established “Raving Fans” for your cause,most of the time, your current partners are happy to do a warm introduction to one of their close friends.

The larger your brand awareness the more likely you'll receive funding. It's easier to do this when you have a content strategy that allows you to re-purpose 1 macro piece of content (like a blog post) into smaller more digestible micro pieces of content (twitter threads).

Providing value in your niche is the best way to build relations. While giving away your expertise for free feels counterintuitive, it isn't. Every expert knows that it's not only about head knowledge, but also about execution. Every beginner is an expert until he encounters a problem, and what separates the beginners from the experts is their experience in handling problems. Your knowledge will only attract clients, and when they try to use your advice, they'll just come back to ask for your services when they realize that they need an expert to get the job done.

Absolutely! Think of yourself not just as a professional but as a brand. Embrace authenticity; let your passion for fundraising shine through. Your brand isn't just what you say; it's the emotions you evoke and the connections you forge. So, market yourself not just as a consultant, but as the answer to your clients' fundraising needs. Your brand is your promise, and your value proposition is the currency that builds lasting relationships. Be distinct, be consistent, and above all, be valuable.

Organizing conferences or workshops that provide insight into the market or any other valuable information to your potential clients can be helpful to instill the sense of confidence in you and your brand while broadening the network of potential clients. Showcasing your expertise and establishing the initial rapport are some of the key objectives and it's best done via actual interaction with the potential clients.

Il est également intéressant de recenser et publier des appels à projets ciblant les types d'organisations que vous souhaitez démarcher. Organiser des webinaires sur les points clefs ou les actualités de la collecte de fonds peut permettre d'étoffer la liste des prospects.

One thing I have found helpful is to adjust your resource mobilisation strategy and targeting in line with the goals of a particular grant or lending entity. Speak their language. Do not ask for "education finance" when your target is focused on "renewable energy." Read ahead. Be knowledgeable. Familiarise yourself with the different financing instruments of a particular organisation. Development finance is no longer limited to grants- and where these are operational, donors prefer blended finance. Get to know the basics of these evolving financing mechanisms.

The best platform to research prospects on, bar none, is LinkedIn (especially if you're a university)! You can see their interests, education, current job title (& current income if you're crafty), and if they became a thought leader in their industry. You can use all this information to tailor your communication with them to almost guarantee a new donor.

Even when we have the RFP / RFQ, a member of the BL&A team will attempt to reach the prospective client to learn absolutely everything they hope to achieve when hiring counsel. We try to learn more about the need, so we can provide a very tailored solution in our proposal.

Networking will be your best friend! The more exposure the better, don't be shy about being the first to reach out. Interact on all platforms and find people, who's goals align with yours.

There are many ways of reaching out, two of them are as follows. 1. Working from your desk: LinkedIn is probably the natural choice to reach out to people. It is also a good idea to connect with people who are not directly related to your target audience, but can still help you extend your arm to reach them. 2. Out in the field: Find relevant public events, conferences, expos where you can physically go and network. Take your business card with you (make one that is just for you, if you don't have it) and make sure you get the other's contact as well.

I've been writing for many years. Here are some of the most important things I have learned... 1) Master the sentence. It is the basic building block of good writing. 2) Write clearly and succinctly. Do not be afraid of short sentences - Ernest Hemingway used them all the time. 3) Do NOT use a lot of words, it complicates the sentence. 4) Make sure your pitch in the bid MATCHES what the funder is looking for. Eg if they are providing finances for mental health projects, don't go on about building repairs! 5) Be confident. Talk about your achievements. Eg 'We have been running for three years and have helped 400 people in that time.' 6) Use numbers - funders like numbers. Hope this helps folks! Drop me a line if you like!

If you're not great at writing, it's in your best interest to hire a grant writer. Your proposal can be the difference in thousands of dollars in funding and millions of dollars in funding.

One thing i think is important to note is that you make it better when you do it better. When you work hard, and well, writing proposals are easier for you as tou have a bae from where you write. We started doing something small in the fields of our interest including hosting webinars, conducting studies with minimal finding and these constituted actions we could refer to in our proposals which made them stronger.

Crafting winning proposals in the field of Merger and Acquisition (M&A) fundraising consultancy requires a strategic approach to showcase your expertise and address client needs.

In proposal writing, the most important thing is that the client is convinced that you have a good understanding of what is required (product, skill, or both). To achieve this, it is important to first study and have deep understanding of what is required and then be able to re-articulate that while adding value through your own propositions. The proposal should leave the client thinking and feeling a sense comfort and confidence in your skills and with your approach. Lastly, do not pitch proposals which you cannot execute due to lack of knowledge or skills; market credibility is very important.

Join consultant platform for nonprofits like Nonprofit Builder. They will provide you with fundraising consulting engagements for the grantees of their 20+ member foundations! They will connect you to work where you can shine. And fundraising is always in demand!

It's very important to take a page out of the fundraising 101 book. Landing (and keeping) clients as a fundraising consultant comes down to a core element: Having and maintaining *meaningful relationships* which need to be cultivate and nurtured. In my 3 decades years of doing this work that is what I have found to be most effective and everlasting. Checking on clients when they are not an active client and truly caring about how they are and offering to support them even when you are not engaged in an agreement really matters. For not only the potential that they may engage you again, but as you are winding down client engagements and open to new business or to invite an introduction, putting relationships first is golden.

Our boutique fundraising consultancy thrives on word-of-mouth, driven by our commitment to client success. With our backgrounds as former founders, consultants, investment bankers, and VC professionals, my wife and I offer comprehensive support beyond just leveraging our investor networks. We assist with pitch decks, financials, and instill an investor's mindset in our clients. We offer tailored guidance through both the daily hurdles and strategic challenges our clients encounter. Our dedication to solving problems alongside our clients not only brings them back but also attracts new ones.

I’ve done a few things that have been successful: 1) I serve on boards myself. Not all fundraisers do this but for me it has helped create a broad network on the governance and executive side of nonprofits. 2) I’ve been active in my profession and done things like chairing National Philanthropy Day, which built credibility. 3) I hosted a fundraising leadership roundtable for local media for many years. 4) I became a frequent contributor to media interviews. 5) Before I ever began consulting I did many projects for funders and nonprofits pro bono that built credibility and trust. And, most importantly… 6) I did my job as a Chief Development Officer well!

1. Community Involvement: Actively participate in community events, forums, and gatherings. This provides an opportunity to network with potential clients and showcase your commitment to community initiatives 2. Build Relationships with Local Organizations: Establish strong relationships with local nonprofits, community groups, and other organizations. Offer your expertise at community meetings or workshops to demonstrate your value and knowledge in fundraising.