Finding a consultant can be challenging when you don’t know what to look for during the search process. Here are four tips to help you find the right consultant for your nonprofit. 

Know why you are hiring the consultant and what you want them to achieve. Are they helping to develop a fundraising strategy? Are they writing grants? Are they providing interim support? Know what you want them to do. I suggest taking time before the consultation call to think through the gaps you need to fill. This way, you can clearly describe your need and goals, which will help the consultant better explain how they can support your organization and provide a realistic timeframe. 

Ask about experience & program areas

Experience is essential. You want the consultant’s expertise to align with your needs. Ask the consultant about their nonprofit background, review their testimonials, view their website, and LinkedIn. You can also ask about their specialized program area(s) of expertise. Some consultants may specialize in multiple program areas, while others may focus on one specialized area. Either is fine; just know what background and experience are necessary to get the job done. 

Feel the vibes

Hiring a consultant is an investment. Know how much your organization can afford to spend on a consultant before the consultation call. It is also important to know that unethical to offer a grant writing consultant a commission or percentage of the grant. Do not ask!