Top 10 Fundraising Consulting Firms for Top-Notch Nonprofits

Nonprofit Management

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Say you’re looking to start a capital campaign, or your nonprofit has a pressing problem that you just can’t seem to solve internally.

That’s where a nonprofit consulting firm can step in. These experts offer more than a fresh perspective; they have the skills and experience to help you implement the strategies you’ve only dreamed of!

We’re huge fans of making sure that every nonprofit has the tools they need to succeed, which is why we’re reviewing the top 9 fundraising consulting firms! 

  1. Aly Sterling Philanthropy
  2. Grants Plus
  3. DNL OmniMedia
  4. Whole Whale
  5. Bentz Whaley Flessner
  6. Changing Our World
  7. Westfall Gold
  8. Helen Brown Group
  9. Bristol Strategy Group
  10. Pursuant

Bonus: We’ve included Qgiv tips with each selection so that you can learn more about how fundraising software and fundraising consultants can go hand-in-hand!

Aly Sterling Philanthropy is our top pick for fundraising consultants because they tailored support to every client.

1. Aly Sterling Philanthropy ― Our Top Pick For Full-Service Consulting Firms

Consulting Firm Overview

Aly Sterling Philanthropy is a full-service nonprofit consultant that specializes in building sustainable solutions.

Aly Sterling Philanthropy serves organizations of all shapes and sizes with a variety of projects and tasks, including:

  • Fundraising solutions
  • Board governance
  • Strategic planning
  • Executive search

Learn about Aly Sterling's top-notch consulting services.

As a member of The Giving Institute and other professional organizations, Aly Sterling Philanthropy maintains high-quality services and personable consultants.

When to Use This Nonprofit Consulting Firm

Aly Sterling is perfect for the nonprofit who’s looking to build solutions from the inside out! We particularly recommend them for their comprehensive capital campaign services.

Primary Service Locations

Aly Sterling Philanthropy is located in Toledo, OH. While they work with nonprofits in both the Ohio and Indiana area, they are willing to work with nonprofits all over the United States!

They’ve worked with local branches of the Habitat for Humanity and Ronald McDonald House, among others.Aly Sterling has a whole host of fundraising consulting services to help your organization succeed.

Qgiv’s Quick Tip: If you’re looking into Aly Sterling Philanthropy for a capital campaign, you’ll likely need to perfect your asking strategy. Here at Qgiv, we’ve got plenty of resources on reaching out to your donors and asking for donations.

Learn more about Aly Sterling Philanthropy!


Grants Plus is our recommended fundraising consulting firm for grant seeking.2. Grants Plus — Our Top Pick for Grant Seeking

Consulting Firm Overview

Grants Plus is dedicated to providing organizations with the expert guidance they need to elevate their grants programs and make steady progress toward their grants goals.

They partner with organizations and act as their trusted advisors to successfully identify funders, recommend grant strategies, craft compelling proposals, and make long-term gains. This enables nonprofits to develop stronger relationships with funders and secure the financial support they need.

When to Use This Nonprofit Consulting Firm

Regardless of your organization’s size or mission, grants play a critical role in enabling your continued work. Whether you need help navigating the current economic climate or need long-term assistance, Grants Plus will be with you every step of the way.

Primary Service Locations

The Grants Plus consulting firm has two locations: Cleveland and Cincinnati, Ohio. Thanks to digital communication, their team is able to assist yours remotely.

Their team has partnered with hundreds of mission-driven organizations across the nation over the last dozen years.

Grants Plus is the top fundraising consulting firm for grant seeking.

Qgiv’s Quick Tip: Building a winning grant strategy entails more than well-crafted proposals. Conduct ample research to locate the right funders prior to submitting a proposal (or allow Grants Plus to do the work for you). Check out more of our actionable tips for securing grants from foundations.

Learn more about Grants Plus!


DNL OmniMedia is our top choice for fundraising consulting firms because of their advanced technological counsel.

2. DNL OmniMedia — Our Top Pick For Digital Consulting Firms

Consulting Firm Overview

DNL OmniMedia is dedicated to revamping nonprofit digital communications to achieve greater outreach and support.

Their primary mission is to change the world through optimized nonprofit technology with services such as:

  • Web design and development
  • Digital and event marketing
  • Donation and advocacy campaigns
  • Donor management
  • Content and data migration

Learn more about DNL OmniMedia's consulting services.

With top philanthropy clients like Project A.L.S., the United Hospital Fund, and The Pet Savers Foundation, DNL OmniMedia proudly supports nonprofits of all causes and communities for social good.

When to Use This Nonprofit Consulting Firm

In need of a technological tune-up? DNL OmniMedia will help revitalize your nonprofit’s digital marketing initiatives as well as remodel or build from scratch a superior website.

Some of their key digital partners include Blackbaud, Luminate, Salsa, WordPress, Drupal, and Salesforce.

Primary Service Locations

This tech-savvy consulting firm has locations across the state of New York in Arlington and New York City. That being said, these nonprofit consultants are passionate about assisting with tech and social activism needs anywhere!A DNL OmniMedia the consultants can help you create expert online fundraising solutions.

Qgiv’s Quick Tip: Before you seek out digital services from DNL OmniMedia, it’s good to have a general idea in mind for how you want to upgrade your online donation outreach.

Explore Qgiv’s top fundraising software solutions for a world of virtual possibilities!

Learn more about DNL OmniMedia!


Whole Whale is a great fundraising consulting firm for online awareness.

3. Whole Whale ― Recommended for Online Awareness

Consulting Firm Overview

Whole Whale is a fundraising nonprofit consultant that’s focused on technology. Their goal is to increase your nonprofit’s digital impact.

How?

With data-driven solutions unique to your nonprofit (and your donors!).

Their digital strategies include everything from:

  • Online marketing
  • A/B testing
  • Web design and development
  • Technology training

Learn more about Whole Whale's consulting services.

When to Use This Nonprofit Consulting Firm

Whole Whale is great for nonprofits who are looking to expand their digital efforts — whether that includes online fundraising or donor communications.

Primary Service Locations

Located in Brooklyn, New York, Whole Whale has a list of over 165 organizations that they work with around the world.

Planned Parenthood, Malala Fund, and Ad Council are just some of the organizations that Whole Whale has helped.Check out the fundraising consulting services available at Whole Whale.

Qgiv’s Quick Tip: Before you can use Whole Whale, you’ll need the right technology to complement your strategy. Qgiv’s donation page software is a great place to get started!

Learn more about Whole Whale!


Bentz Whaley Flessner is our recommended fundraising consulting firm for annual giving.

4. Bentz Whaley Flessner — Recommended for Annual Giving

Consulting Firm Overview

Bentz Whaley Flessner is a nonprofit consulting firm with three decades of experience under their belt. BWF specializes in universities, medical centers, and other leading nonprofits.

This full-service firm offers a variety of services, including:

  • Analytics
  • Annual giving
  • Campaign counsel
  • Prospect development

Learn more about the Bentz Whaley Flessner consulting services.

BWF is dedicated to transforming philanthropy so that you can better reach and engage with your donors.

When to Use This Nonprofit Consulting Firm

Bentz Whaley Flessner is great for larger organizations who already have access to in-house resources and a dedicated donor base.

Primary Service Locations

The Bentz Whaley Flessner consulting firm has two locations: Minneapolis, MN, and Washington, DC.

The nonprofit consultants at Bentz Whaley Flessner work with organizations across the nation but primarily focus on hospitals, public and private colleges, and community service organizations.Learn more about Bentz Whaley Flessner and their consulting services.

Qgiv’s Quick Tip: If you need to build up your donor base, you can’t forget donor stewardship! Check out our donor stewardship guide.

Learn more about Bentz Whaley Flessner!


Changing Our World is a great fundraising consulting firm for large nonprofits.

5. Changing Our World — Recommended for Large Nonprofits

Consulting Firm Overview

Changing Our World tackles nearly every aspect of fundraising consulting, not just for nonprofits, but for corporations and philanthropists as well.

This full-service consulting firm specializes in:

  • Capital campaigns
  • Feasibility studies
  • Strategic planning
  • Major gifts efforts

Learn more about the consulting services at Changing Our World.

Changing Our World offers continuous, revolving, and integrated nonprofit consulting services for long-term success!

When to Use This Nonprofit Consulting Firm

Changing Our World is great for large nonprofits in healthcare, education, faith, and international relief and development.

Primary Service Locations

Changing Our World has offices in major cities such as New York, Washington, Boston, and Dallas.

The organizations that partner with Changing Our World include AIDS Project Los Angeles, Arizona Memorial Museum Association, and the New Jersey Institute of Technology, among others.Changing Our World is a fundraising consulting firm with years of experience.

Qgiv’s Quick Tip: For large nonprofits, communication is vital. It’s important to segment your donors and reach out to your most integral supporters in person.

Learn more about Changing Our World!

 


Westfall Gold is our recommended fundraising consultant for events.

6. Westfall Gold — Recommended for Fundraising Events

Consulting Firm Overview

Westfall Gold is a nonprofit consulting firm that specializes in major donor events. With Westfall Gold (formerly Westfall Group), your nonprofit can plan and execute a seriously lucrative event — and engage donors so that they become even more invested in your nonprofit.

Specifically, their services include:

  • Creative services
  • Event consulting and production
  • Event speaker recruitment
  • Event management

Learn about the consulting services at Westfall Gold.

As such, Westfall Gold can help you with every aspect of your event!

When to Use This Nonprofit Consulting Firm

Westfall Gold is perfect for nonprofits who are looking to plan a major donor event.

Primary Service Locations

Westfall Gold is an Atlanta-based nonprofit consulting firm, but they help organizations all over the United States.

Convoy of Hope, Cure, and Half Time Institute are just some of the organizations that Westfall Gold works with.Learn more about the fundraising consulting firm that specializes in events.

Qgiv’s Quick Tip: Attracting major donors means having a fool-proof event. Along with consulting services, your organization may opt to purchase event management software to help you organize your event and your guests.

Learn more about Westfall Gold!


Helen Brown Consulting is a great fundraising firm for prospect research.

7. Helen Brown Group — Recommended for Prospect Research

Consulting Firm Overview

Helen Brown Group is a nonprofit consultant that operates on three pillars: a dedication to fundraising ethics, incredible value to clients, and yearly staff training to keep everyone up to date on new technological developments.

With Helen Brown Group, nonprofits can receive services in:

  • Dedicated research support
  • A la carte wealth and philanthropy reports
  • Wealth screenings
  • Analytics and relationship mapping

Learn more about the services at Helen Brown Group.

Helen Brown Group ensures that your nonprofit only pays for the specific services that it needs.

When to Use This Nonprofit Consulting Firm

Helen Brown Group can be the perfect match for established nonprofits who are looking for nonprofit consultants trained in the most current fundraising trends and technologies.

Primary Service Locations

The Helen Brown Group is located in Watertown, MA. All the consultants work with a variety of clients including hospitals, community service organizations, and much more.Learn more about the consulting services at Helen Brown Group.

Qgiv’s Quick Tip: Is your nonprofit up-to-date on the services you need? Take a crash course in some of the most important trends of the year, like mobile fundraising.

Learn more about Helen Brown Group!


The consultants at Bristol Strategy can help your nonprofit with fundraising audits.

8. Bristol Strategy Group — Recommended for Audits

Consulting Firm Overview

Bristol Strategy Group is a nonprofit consulting firm that pledges to tackle your nonprofit’s problems by assessing your fundraising and building consistent income growth.

These consultants can help your organization:

  • Develop a fundraising strategy
  • Train your board of directors
  • Improve donor relationships

Learn more about the services at Bristol Strategy.

Bristol Strategy Group is dedicated to improving your nonprofit’s fundraising their way — the SMART way — through their workshops and resources.

When to Use This Nonprofit Consulting Firm

Bristol Strategy Group can be a huge asset to nonprofits who need help identifying holes in their fundraising strategy (as well as the solutions to patch them up!).

Primary Service Locations

The Bristol Strategy Group is located in Pembroke Pines, FL; however, they help organizations all over the country. The SMART Way certified nonprofit consultants work with organizations of all different shapes and sizes to help them fulfill their fundraising goals.

Discover all the services at the Bristol Strategy Group.

Qgiv’s Quick Tip: You can get started with assessing your own fundraising by tracking analytics on your online channels. Learn more best practices like this one with our donation page tips!

Learn more about Bristol Strategy Group!

Purusuant is a fundraising consulting firm that offers creative counsel.

9. Pursuant — Recommended for Creative Counsel

Consulting Firm Overview

Pursuant is a nonprofit consulting firm specializing in intelligent fundraising. What does that mean, exactly?

At Pursuant, intelligent fundraising is driven by transformational solutions and the technology that can support these innovative efforts.

Specifically, they offer creative agency services, such as:

  • Storytelling and campaign design
  • Website design
  • Online and print marketing

Learn more about Pursuant's creative consulting services.

When to Use This Nonprofit Consulting Firm

Pursuant is for the nonprofit looking for a unique solution or for services that can support their nonprofit website design.

Primary Service Locations

Pursuant has offices in Dallas, Austin, San Francisco, and New York. They work with nonprofits in 4 key markets including, health and human services, education, athletics, and churches.

Some of their clients include McLaren Macomb Hospital, Pepperdine University, and Happy Hill Farm.

Learn more about Pursuant's creative counseling services on their website.

Qgiv’s Quick Tip: Need ideas to raise money online? Are you a school or university? This article is chock full of ideas and tips that can help you!

Learn more about Pursuant!


Additional Resources

  • Hiring a fundraising consultantDiscover everything you need to know about the before, during, and after process of hiring a fundraising consultant. 
  • Top nonprofit consultantsCheck out these 12 professionals’ unique services and approaches for improving your nonprofit’s fundraising!
  • Consultant costs and feesConsider these key financial factors as your nonprofit searches for the right fundraising consultant. 

Now that you know the top fundraising consulting firms that can help your nonprofit, it’s time to choose the one that’s right for you! Pair your nonprofit consultant with Qgiv’s software to maximize your fundraising strategy!


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