MHLS - Fundraising Resources - Fundraising Consultants

Fundraising Resources
Consultants

Fundraising Consultants | Tips for Hiring | Checklist

Fundraising Consultants

Matthew Blumenfeld / Nina Mankin
Financial Development Agency
49 So. Pleasant St., 2nd Floor
Amherst, MA 01002
413.253.0239
info@financialdevelopmenagency.com
http://www.FinancialDevelopmentAgency.com
Starr Library in Rhinebeck; West Hurley Library (feasibility study); Germantown Library; Roeliff Jansen Community Library (Hillsdale)

Jill Dugas Hughes
32 Jefferson Avenue
Geneva, NY 14456
315.781.0749
jdugas@alum.hws.edu
Developed Annual Campaign for Geneva Free Library
Former Assistant Director of Development for Siena College

Thomas Kissane, Vice President
Craig Katinas
Community Counseling Service
350 Fifth Avenue
Suite 7210
New York, NY 10118
800.223.6733
Fax: 212.967.6451
http://www.ccsfundraising.com
Poughkeepsie Public Library District (feasibility study); Oswego Public Library (2005)

W. Howard Kelly
Insight Associates
415 Paddock Street
Watertown, NY 13601
(315) 771-7475
whkelly@twcny.rr.com
Flower Memorial Library, Watertown NY (2004)

Angela Lomanto
61 Dedham Street
Dover, MA 02030
phone: 508.785.3338
fax: 508.785.2757
email: alomanto@mindspring.com
East Fishkill Community Library

Linda London
198 Euclid Avenue
Albany, NY 12208
phone: 518.458.8562
e-mail: linda.london@earthlink.net
Formerly the development director for Equinox Inc., Linda most recently was a consultant for the Council of Community Services of New York State, Inc. touring around NYS to teach nonprofits about fund development, capital campaigns, planned giving, etc. Linda provided two workshops in 2001 for MHLS libraries on fund development and capital campaigns.

Susan Love, Fundraising Consultant
Martocq & Associates
200 East 87^th Street
New York, NY 10128
phone: 212.360.6944
email: susanlove@excelonline.com
Millbrook Free Library. Susan is featured on the MHLS Fundraising web site: http://midhudson.org/funding/fundraising/love/main.htm.

William Schofield, President
Schofield Associates
304 S. Franklin St.
Syracuse, NY 13202
phone: 315.472.9306
Lyons Public Library (feasibility study) .

Thomas W. Wade & Associates
560 Albany Post Road
Hyde Park, NY 12538
phone: 845.229.0013
wadeassociates@aol.com
Pleasant Valley Free Library, Pine Plains

Sheldon Wolf
wolfsheldon@aol.com
215.836.8484
Springfield Library and Museums Association (Springfield, Massachusetts); presenter for the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners

Kathryn Coulam
Coulam Consulting Group
1028 Quaker Bridge Road East
Croton-on-Hudson, NY 12520
914.827.3681

John Hicks, President
J.C. Geever, Inc.
417 Canal St.,
New York, NY 10013
212.925.5800 x12
fax: 212.966.3074
http://www.jcgeever.com

Mary Ann Winters, Senior Vice President
Ghiorsi & Sorrenti, Inc.
Mack-Cali Corporate Center
50 Tice Blvd.
Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677
201.307.1970
fax: 201.307.5632
gsi@carroll.com
http://www.gsifundraising.com

Other Sources / Resources:

The Association of Fundraising Professionals offers a national directory of consultants
The Chronicle of Philanthropy offers a Consultants Guide
Check out The Foundation Center's "Working with a Consultant"

Tips for Hiring a Consultant:

It is recommended that you interview at least three consultants before deciding. To begin, call the consultants or issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) from a few of the consultants, let them know what you want to accomplish and what part you see a consultant playing in the campaign. Develop a checklist of the criteria and services you are seeking and use the list at every presentation during the interview process. Do you best to make sure every member of your selection committee is present at each interview.
Carefully check the consultant/firm's record. Ask for references and call to find out what they have to say about the firm you are considering.
Library trustees should understand that although a fund raising consultant is to be hired, THEY (the trustees) will have the actual responsibility for going to the givers and asking for the fund raising gifts...especially the large ones.
Ethical fundraising consultants work on a flat fee for the entire campaign. Never select a consultant or firm that works on a percentage of the funds raised. More information on ethical fundraising.
Set the campaign ground rules before signing a contract with the consultant. Be very clear about the library's and the consultant’s areas of responsibility.
An outside fundraising consultant is usually the best idea in a capital campaign, especially if your goal is $250,000 or above. There will sometimes be trustees or other volunteers in the library who claim they (or someone they know) can handle the job better and cheaper. Keep in mind the old saying about a prophet never being recognized in his/her hometown. If there is a campaign slow down/break down, there is usually no second chance. It might take years before you can start another successful campaign.
The consultant should bring to your campaign the same sense of dedication and commitment that is expected from your Board and staff.
Hiring a Consultant from the Management Assistance Program for Nonprofits

Sample Checklist for a Fundraising Consultant Interview

When you call to inquire:

Describe your project and projected goals;
Let them know general facts about your library - the strength of the board and their commitment to the campaign, number of staff, if you have any fundraising activities in place, how the community perceives you.
Describe your community;
Ask them how they would start a campaign for your organization - this should give you clues as to their level of experience and how fast they think on their feet!
Explain what you feel will be some of the difficulties in your campaign and ask if they have worked on campaigns with similar hurdles.
Have they worked with public libraries before?
As them to send you their client list, references, and history information.

See who sends you what you ask for, and carefully evaluate the materials. Is the presentation of the company the way you would like the library presented? Pick three-four consultants to call in for an interview.

Watch and listen for the following during the interview:

Preparation for the interview;
Past performance with libraries in similar communities;
Compatibility with your community;
Interest in your campaign and mission;
Innovative plan for your particular situation;
Are they registered and bonded with the NYS Office of the Attorney General?;
Feasibility Study: number of people to be included in the study; identification of those to be interviewed; timeframe of the study; results; cost; example of a completed feasibility study;
Writing skills;
Will they assist with grantwriting/grant administration?;
Board and volunteer solicitation training;
Will they help with prospect research?;
-What type of administrative support will they provide?;
Will they help you set up a fundraising database (if you don't have one of course);
Is this someone you would look forward to working with?;
If they are a member of the firm ask if they will be the consultant that actually works with you, if not, interview the actual consultant you'd be working with.;
Willingness to respond quickly;
Credibility and integrity of the consultant/firm;
Plan for the collection of pledges;
Do they have experience with planned giving?;
What are their exception of the board? library director?;
How many concurrent campaigns are they running?;
What geographic area do they work in?;
Are travel expenses included in the contractual fee?;
Acceptable fee (In fundraising, the cheapest is not always the least expensive).

Prepared by Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MHLS Coordinator of Member Information, 845.471.6060 x39, rsmith@midhudson.org

last updated: January 2008