The world of nonprofit consultants is vast, and finding the best one can feel like a never ending journey.

There is no shortage of folks committed to supporting the social sector in meeting its mission to create a better world for all. However, all nonprofit consultants have their own niche, expertise and experience, and it can be hard to comb through all the options, understand the differences between firms and find the right fit for your nonprofit. Still, making a good match is critical to the success of your partnership, and the success of your nonprofit itself. 

Prosper Strategies is asked all the time by clients and potential clients for nonprofit consultant recommendations, so we decided to compile a list of the best around, along with tips for finding the right fit for your nonprofit. 

 On our list of the 51 best nonprofit consultants, we’ve included:

But first, a few considerations for hiring the best nonprofit consultant for your organization:

Download the full infographic

Establish the process for hiring a nonprofit consultant

As we all know, nonprofits have a number of important stakeholders, which can make the process for hiring and working with a nonprofit consultant complex, and this begins with the consultant hiring process. 

Start by determining who within your organization needs to be involved with selecting and hiring a nonprofit consultant partner, and at which points of the process they will be involved. For example, is this a project where your internal team has the autonomy to hire the nonprofit consultant they think is best, or does the consultant need to be approved by the board of directors? Will you develop a request for proposal (RFP)? Who will make the final decision and by when? Prosper Strategies’ post on the board’s role in hiring a marketing agency provides a good overview of how different groups may engage in selecting a firm, and although this post is specific to marketing, it is also applicable to many other processes for selecting a firm in different service areas, like strategic planning and fundraising.

In addition to determining the process and deciding who is responsible for vetting and hiring the best nonprofit consultant for the organization, you’ll also want to establish a timeline for your work together, along with the budget you have dedicated for the project. While there are a number of factors that make a nonprofit consultant the right fit, budget can often be the first indicator of whether or not the consultant relationship is going to make sense for your organization.

Align on your goals and expectations for your nonprofit consultant

Once you know who is responsible for hiring the best nonprofit consultant for your organization, along with your timeline and budget for the project, you’ll also want to align on the goals and expectations for your work with the nonprofit consultant. Developing a project brief is a great way to do this. Some organizations also decide to develop an RFP, which provides an overview of your organization, the challenge, the proposed scope of work, timeline, budget and any other information relevant to the success of the project. While there are consultants that almost never respond to an RFP (including Prosper Strategies, at least not in the traditional way), developing one is a great way to align your nonprofit’s stakeholders around the scope and goals of the project. It’s important, however, to maintain an openness to your nonprofit consultant’s feedback and suggestions when it comes to how the project develops.

Interview several nonprofit consultants to find the best fit 

The best nonprofit consulting engagements are rooted in strong relationships. Chemistry matters! This is why we always recommend talking to several nonprofit consultants before determining which one is best for your organization. It’s also why at Prosper Strategies, we strongly prefer conversations with potential clients over responding to RFPs in writing. And, you should always ask to speak with the person or people from the nonprofit consultancy who will be working directly with you on the project, so you can get to know them and assess whether they are the right complement to you and your nonprofit team.

If you’re looking for more resources for hiring the best nonprofit consultant, check out some of Prosper Strategies other blog posts:

• Shared Power Strategy^TM Rule Book
• What Should Your Board’s Role be in Strategic Planning
• How to Involve Diverse Stakeholders in Strategic Planning
• Your Board’s Role in Hiring a Market Agency
• What a Successful Nonprofit Marketing Strategy Partnership Looks Like
• When Outsourcing Your Marketing Could Be the Next Best Move for Your Nonprofit
• Talking to Your Board About Making a Marketing Investment
• Why We Won’t Respond to Your Nonprofit’s Strategic Planning RFP

The 51 Best Nonprofit Consultants

The following list of nonprofit consultants was compiled based on firms we know from our years working in the sector, firms we partner with, firms our clients partner with and firms we admire. At Prosper Strategies, we prioritize working with minority- and women-owned and led organizations, and you will see many of them in our list of best nonprofit consultants below. 

All information is sourced from each nonprofit consulting firm’s website. Many of these nonprofit consultants could be listed in more than one category (including Prosper Strategies). We’ve done our best to put them in the section they are best known for. If you are a member of one of the organizations below and have an update to your listing, please contact us at hello@prosper-strategies.com. 

First, you’ll see a master list of all firms featured in this post. Clicking each of their names will take you to a detailed listing with information on their services, what makes them unique and more.

Please note, this is not an endorsement of any of these firms, simply a compilation you can use as a start to your consultant search.

Best Nonprofit Consultants for Strategic Planning and Strategy

1. Prosper Strategies
2. GCR Consulting LLC 
3. CompassPoint
4. Wipfli
5. Davidoff Strategy 
6. Propel Nonprofits 
7. Cause Effective 
8. Sage Consulting Network
9. Flexibly Focused 
10. LaPiana Consulting 
11. The Bridgespan Group 
12. Wellspring Consulting 
13. Revolution Impact 
14. Alford Group 

Best Nonprofit Consultants for Human Resources

15. Koya Partners
16. Nonprofit HR

Best Nonprofit Consultants for Marketing and Communications

Prosper Strategies also provides nonprofit consulting services in this area.

17. Lipman Hearne 
18. Barkada Circle 
19. Big Duck 
20. Purple Group 
21. SmallGood 
22. Fenton 
23. Marketing for Change 
24. Graves Fowler Creative
25. Mission Minded 
26. Help Good 
27. Media Cause 

Best Nonprofit Consultants for Design and Branding

Prosper Strategies partners with Talooka Studio and Substance Strategic Visual Communications to provide nonprofit consulting services in this are

28. Talooka Studio
29. Loop
30. Substance Strategic Visual Communications

Best Nonprofit Consultants for Public Relations

31. Rudd Resources
32. The TASC Group
33. Public Communications Inc.

Best Nonprofit Consultants for Google Ad Grants 
34. Nonprofit Megaphone
35. Getting Attention

Best Nonprofit Consultants for Fundraising 

Prosper Strategies also provides nonprofit consulting services in this area.

36. Sapphire Fundraising Specialists
37. CCS Fundraising
38. Campbell & Company
39. Aly Sterling Philanthropy
40. Graham-Pelton
41. Just Cause Consulting
42. M+R
43. Greater Mission

Best Nonprofit Consultants for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
44. Justice Informed
45. Thought Partner Solutions 

Best Nonprofit Consultants for Research, Evaluation and Measurement
46. PIE Org
47. teenyBIG
48. Mission Measurement
49. OnStrategy
50. Clear Impact

Best Nonprofit Consultants for Social Media
51. Sarah Best Strategy

The Best Nonprofit Consultants for Strategic Planning and Strategy

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

Okay, when compiling a list of the BEST nonprofit consulting firms, we’d be remiss if we didn’t list ourselves first…

Prosper Strategies is a group of strategic advisors who help nonprofits like Feeding American and Horizons National leverage the power of strategy to increase their impact. Their mission is to help nonprofits realize the full potential of strategy so that the sector can realize its full potential to change the world.

Nonprofit consulting services

• Strategic planning
• Marketing and communications strategy
• Fundraising and development strategy 
• Brand strategy and rebranding
• Coaching, training and speaking

Location(s)

Prosper Strategies works with nonprofits across the country. Principals are located in:

• Chicago, Illinois
• Milwaukee, Wisconsin

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Prosper Strategies work is based on the Shared Power Strategy^TM philosophy and the Nonprofit Impact System^TM. The Shared Power Strategy^TM philosophy helps organizations build more effective, inclusive and equitable strategies by redistributing the power to its stakeholders, especially the people and communities a nonprofit serves.  The Nonprofit Impact System^TM brings together the three elements every nonprofit must synergize in order to achieve their full potential: People, Strategy and Progress. Together, this method and philosophy put people at the center of everything Prosper Strategies does and ensures their nonprofit strategy work advances equity.

GCR Consulting LLC is a Chicago-based nonprofit consulting firm that works with nonprofit and other service-oriented organizations to help them define and fulfill their missions. The firm handles projects of various size and scope.

Nonprofit consulting services

• Board training
• Leadership development
• Collaboration
• Strategic planning
• Program development
• Project management
• Community outreach
• Educational programs
• Grantmaking

Location(s)

Chicago, Illinois

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

GCR Consulting is Minority Business Enterprise/Woman Business Enterprise certified with the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois, and considers equity a crucial component of all of their projects. The firm is led by Genita Robinson, a graduate of Chicago Law School. Genita has focused two decades of her career on nonprofit, education, government and political sectors. She leverages her broad experience and her relationships with a vast network of mission-focused institutions and service providers.

Overview of this nonprofit consultant

CompassPoint is a nonprofit consulting firm that helps leaders, nonprofit organizations and movements committed to social justice realize their full potential. They are a 50-year-old nonprofit leadership development practice. They believe that nonprofits are powerful vehicles for positive social change and that creating a world free of oppression means practicing liberation inside and out.

Nonprofit consulting services

• Leadership trainings
• Peer networks
• Coaching
• Consulting

Location(s)

Oakland, California

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Drawing on education principles, CompassPoint creates participatory, democratic learning spaces for leaders to learn new skills, build community, connect with resources, and examine how their leadership can better embody values of social justice. They strive to bring BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) voices and experiences from the margin to the center. They also design and deliver cohort programs to work at depth with different groups of leaders, including Self-Care for Black Women in Leadership (a cohort program for Black women in leadership that centers self-care as a necessary, radical, and political act), the HIVE Leadership Development Program (a leadership program for reproductive justice leaders in Louisiana), and the B.L.A.C.K. Equity Intensive (a team-based cohort program for Black leaders, that focuses on Pro-Blackness (the brilliance, gifts, ideas, and wisdom of Black leaders) so that they can come together to plant the seeds for organizational structures and cultures that support them).

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

Wipfli is an international consulting firm with a nonprofit division. Wipfli has a team of more than  3,000 associates that work together to bring integrated solutions to turn data into insights, to optimize workflows, to increase margins and to transform through digital innovation.

Nonprofit consulting services

• Audit and tax
• Digital services
• Financial accounting outsourcing
• Fund development
• Strategy and operations
• Talent and change
• Organizational performance
• Training

Location(s)

• Throughout the United States, India and the Philippines

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Wipfli’s nonprofit consulting specialists bring experience, knowledge and best practices to empower nonprofits. Whether it’s through developing a volunteer management system, helping to navigate changing compliance regulations or optimizing a nonprofit team’s skills.

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

Davidoff Strategy is a nonprofit consulting company that leads organizations to create both highly effective strategy and high performing culture. Organizations that work with Davidoff change the way they approach their work and fundamentally change who they are. They see opportunities, not obstacles. They work together as one team rather than as departments in silos. They approach conflicts rather than avoid them. They are driven by their missions, not challenged by them. They move forward and are accountable to each other and to their customers, clients, members, funders, and partners.

Nonprofit consulting services

• Strategic planning
• Business planning
• Ideal State Action Planning
• Mission-Driven Marketing™
• Brand marketing & communications strategies
• Conference management and marketing
• Sales management
• Fundraising and resource development
• Mission-Driver Institute™ for team trainings and executive coaching

Location(s)

• Chicago, Illinois
• Washington, DC

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Davidoff has a Mission-Drive Business Strategy approach. The team has broad industry expertise and is trained in transformational leadership and systems thinking. This allows them to see systems and patterns that others may not and identify which patterns may limit an organization’s growth. They bring together a diverse set of skills, including strategy, market research, communications and transformational leadership. The team is made up of mission-drivers in their own spheres of influence.

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

Propel Nonprofits provides nonprofit consulting and its programs and services provide a holistic approach to meet organizations’ most pressing needs, including the ability to more closely link strategy, governance, and finance. They also make loans to a wide range of nonprofits of different sizes and fields of service. Built on their knowledge of nonprofits and nonprofit business models, their lending team determines the best approach to meet a nonprofit’s needs, and sticks with them to address challenges

Nonprofit consulting services

• Accounting and finance
• Fiscal sponsorship
• Strategic consulting
• Board connections
• Lending
• Leaders circle (to develop leadership strengths)
• Training
• Capacity building

Location(s)

Minneapolis, Minnesota

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Propel Nonprofits is an intermediary organization and federally certified community development financial institution (CDFI). They provide capacity-building services and access to capital to support nonprofits in achieving their missions including the ability to link strategy, governance, and finance and to support nonprofits throughout their organizational life cycle. Propel Nonprofits was created from the 2017 merger of Nonprofits Assistance Fund and MAP for Nonprofits.

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

Cause Effective is a nonprofit consulting firm that partners with mission-driven leaders to achieve social change. For almost 40 years, Cause Effective has helped more than 6,000 nonprofits create a better New York for all. They work with leadership to develop, employ, and expand effective fundraising, governance and organizational strategies to advance equity and justice. 

Nonprofit consulting services

• Assessment
• Training
• Immersive consulting 
• Coaching and instruction 
• Thought leadership through publications/materials
• Direct service 

Location(s)

New York, New York

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Cause Effective partners with each client to create a customized roadmap that builds on the organization’s history, relationships and cultural values to expand its resource potential. Cause Effective provides counsel to help nonprofits raise more money, build greater board engagement in fundraising, activate boards of directors and leverage anniversary campaigns and special events so they can achieve long-term community change. 

Additionally, they lead an initiative called Preparing the Next Generation, where they engage nonprofit leaders of color in cohort-based peer learning and empower them with the skills, networks and tools they need to be powerful fundraisers and visionary leaders. The work is supported and led by mentors, coaches and advisors of color with decades of experience navigating the issues being explored.

Overview of this nonprofit consultant

Sage Consulting Network is a nonprofit consulting firm that works with nonprofits, foundations, grant-making organizations, associations, healthcare, faith-based and government organizations. Over the past 17 years, they have seen, heard and experienced the full range of organizational and board achievements and challenges. They have provided consulting services to hundreds of organizations with various missions, sizes, locations and unique needs. 

Nonprofit consulting services

• Executive coaching and performance management
• Board development and transitions
• Education and training
• Facilitated retreats and meetings
• Speaking
• Succession planning
• Strategic planning
• Diversity, equity and inclusion

Location(s)

Atlanta, Georgia

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Sage Consulting Network is led by Dr. Robin Hindsman Stacia. Sage understands organizations, leadership and boards. As a result, they listen to their clients and develop strategies that are specifically designed to create more than change. Their goal for each organization is to create meaningful transformations that ensure sustainability and impact.

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

Flexibly Focused is a Chicago-based nonprofit consultancy that provides strategy and support for the social sector. They partner with established and earlier-stage nonprofit organizations, working with executive leadership and boards of directors to tackle fundraising, growth and all types of change.

Nonprofit consulting services

• Fundraising strategic planning 
• Development staff coaching
• Board of directors governance and capacity building
• Board committee development
• Executive leadership team coaching and planning
• Goal setting and performance management
• Campaign feasibility planning
• Development staff search and onboarding

Location(s)

Chicago, Illinois

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Flexibly Focused is led by Allison Lipsman, a Chicago-based former Chief Development Officer and nonprofit leader. Flexibly Focused meets organizations where they are to get them to where they want to be. They get to know each organization, its history and point-in-time challenges. Combined with experience, researched best practices and just the right amount of flexibility, they facilitate the results clients need.

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

LaPiana Consulting provides nonprofit consulting services to help nonprofit organizations navigate change, so they can be more effective at delivering on their mission. The firm co-creates customized strategies to fit clients’ unique needs, delivered within a framework that keeps organizations focused on what matters. 

Nonprofit consulting services

They work with nonprofits and foundations on:

• Strategic planning
• Mergers and alliances
• Organizational development 

Location(s)

Moorpark, California

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

LaPiana has worked with more than 1,200 nonprofit organizations of every size and type, and they have consulting services equipped for any project. This experience, augmented by their methodologies, helps them consistently deliver successful outcomes. Their nonprofit management consulting is adaptive and customized to fit each organization’s unique situational challenges. LaPiana centers racial justice in their practice. Managing partner, David LaPiana, also authored the book, The Nonprofit Strategy Revolution, among others.

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

The Bridgespan Group is a global nonprofit that strives to make the world more equitable and just. Since 2000, they have advised and collaborated with many social change leaders including philanthropists, nonprofit and NGO leaders and impact investors. They are passionate about helping social change leaders find solutions to economic and social barriers that perpetuate inequities and prevent individuals, families, and communities from having access to opportunities they need to thrive. 

Nonprofit consulting services

For nonprofits and NGOS

• Strategy 
• Growth and scaling
• Funding strategy
• Organizational effectiveness
• Services portfolio assessment
• Network design / optimization

For donors and investors

• Helping foundations
• Leading for Impact city-based programs (helps local nonprofit leadership teams develop strategy and build management muscle)
• Supporting individuals and families
• Working with impact investors

Location(s)

Global

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Bridgespan draws on 20 years of experience helping US-based and global organizations. Guided by this experience, they tailor their consulting services to meet an organization’s needs, ranging from the support of a consulting team to explore strategic questions; to local programs in US cities where groups of nonprofit executive teams work together to develop their strategies and improve their effectiveness; to online, self-paced programs that improve and executive team’s effectiveness and strategy.

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

Wellspring Consulting is a consulting firm that helps leaders of mission-driven organizations address strategic challenges and achieve results. Wellspring Consulting has worked with hundreds of nonprofit leaders to develop strategic plans that are backed by research and analysis and that address the most critical issues facing the organization.

Nonprofit consulting services

• Strategy

Location(s)

Woodbridge, Connecticut

Boston, Massachusetts

Denver, Colorado

​Los Angeles, California

New Haven, Connecticut

New York, New York

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Founded in 2002 by consultants from The Boston Consulting Group, Wellspring offers the analytical strength of for-profit business consulting, delivered by “fellow travelers” who share their commitment to creating social good. They focus on cornerstone problems and pursue what they refer to as “smart, inspired solutions” so clients can get results.

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

Revolution Impact is a consulting firm that advises social sector and educational enterprises and leaders to solve the growth strategy, data, operational and organizational challenges that get in the way of mission. Their team provides expert guidance to a diverse range of clients including direct service providers, funders, intermediary organizations and public agencies. 

Nonprofit consulting services

• Implement processes that identify key results, measure progress and establish the internal knowledge and structure necessary to manage performance
• Align business resources with priority results, identify gaps and develop strategies to close those gaps and position organizations for success 
• Help early and mid-stage social sector organizations prepare for growth

Location(s)

Chicago, Illinois

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Founded on 20 years of practicing, funding and advising, Revolution Impact works with a select group of skilled consultants, facilitators and analysts to support client engagements. Their staffing approach ensures clients are getting the right team for the right work at the right time.

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

Alford Group is a national, full-service nonprofit consulting firm offering six services committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion. Alford Group serves nonprofits in nearly every state in the country. Since their founding, they have partnered with over 3,000 nonprofits to accelerate their impact and advance social change.

Nonprofit consulting services

• Strategic and organizational planning
• Fundraising
• Diversity, equity and inclusion
• Governance and leadership development
• Interim staffing
• Data management, analysis and assessment

Location(s)

Chicago, Illinois

Seattle, Washington

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Alford Group accelerates impact with consulting solutions tailored to the unique circumstances of each client. With over 40 years of experience, they understand the operations of mission-based organizations and the challenges they face. Serving organizations with diverse missions, they provide the support necessary to achieve strategic goals and assist in transformational growth.

The Best Nonprofit Consultants for Human Resources

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

Koya Partners is a nonprofit consulting search firm dedicated to mission-driven organizations. Koya was founded in 2004 on the guiding principle that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on the world. Koya has conducted nearly 3,000 executive searches across the U.S. 

Nonprofit consulting services

Executive search

Advisory services

Assessments, tools and metrics

Connected leadership

Executive Women’s Forum

Location(s)

Throughout the United States, they also serve clients globally with AltoPartners.

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

In 2019, Koya Partners became a Diversified Search Group company. Both firms were founded by women and have long track records of building diversity and equity internally and through their placements. They consider their team as their key differentiator. Collectively they bring  professional and lived experience that enables the development of what they call exceptional candidate pools and the delivery of best-in-class service to their clients.

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

Nonprofit HR is a nonprofit consulting company and the country’s oldest firm focused exclusively on the talent management needs of the social sector, including nonprofits, associations, social enterprises and other mission-driven organizations. =

Nonprofit consulting services

• Strategy and advisory
• HR outsourcing
• Total rewards
• Deviersity, equity, inclusion and justice
• Search

Location(s)

Based in Washington D.C. with staff throughout the United States

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Nonprofit HR works with two primary groups: nonprofit human resources professionals who need tactical and strategic support, and nonprofit leaders who recognize the important role talent and culture play in achieving their strategic aims. For HR professionals, they add bench strength and expertise to existing departments. For Non-HR staff, they serve as an outsourced HR function or they assist in creating or strengthening a talent and culture strategy that aligns with their mission and overall strategic plan. Nonprofit HR recently expanded to include additional expertise in compensation, performance management and organizational development through a merger with Keating Advisors, a compensation design and benchmarking firm.

The Best Nonprofit Consultants for Marketing and Communications

Prosper Strategies also provides nonprofit consulting services in this area.

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

Lipman Hearne is a nonprofit consulting firm that supports nonprofits, including many colleges and universities with brand development, enrollment and membership marketing and philanthropic marketing. 

Nonprofit consulting services

• Brand strategy
• Communications
• Digital research
• Media

Location(s)

Chicago, Illinois

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Lipman Hearne has carved out a space in college and university membership. They bill themselves as big thinkers. They listen to uncover hidden and new strengths. They offer insights and strategy grounded in data along with sector knowledge. They are agile and inventive when priorities shift and openings emerge. That’s why, they say, their strategic and creative solutions feel inevitable, intuitive, and inspiring. Lipman Hearne is also 100 percent employee owned.

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

Barkada Circle® is a Chicago nonprofit consulting studio working with leaders of foundations, associations and organizations with a mission to improve the human condition. They bring the power of story into organizational development.

Nonprofit consulting services

Storytelling for:

• Communication
• Leadership
• Transformative change

Location(s)

Chicago, Illinois

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Barkada Circle is all about leveraging the power of storytelling. They say their approach to storytelling and story-driven strategies make their clients’ messages more compelling and strengthens their relationship building. Barkada Circle brings the lens of creativity to their projects. Their approach is rooted in the arts which, they say, challenges how people perceive things to help them find new meaning in everyday encounters.

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

Big Duck is a nonprofit consulting firm that helps organizations advance their goals by using communications to build relationships, shape beliefs, and inspire action among their community. They collaborate with organizations working to create a healthy and just future. They bring a commitment to antiracism and advancing equity throughout their projects.

Nonprofit consulting services

• Branding
• Campaigns
• Teams

Location(s)

Brooklyn, New York

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Big Duck says they are big enough to have deep expertise on their staff—but not so big that clients get lost in the fold. They have a team of researchers, planners, writers, designers and account managers who are facilitators, strategic thinkers and creative problem solvers. Big Duck is also a worker-owned cooperative. 

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

Purple Group is an independent marketing communications and advertising agency with consulting roots. They are marketing for a better world in healthcare, housing, education, financial services, transportation, corporations, public health, social justice, nonprofits and foundations.

Nonprofit consulting services

• Integrated marketing strategy

Location(s)

Chicago, Illinois

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Purple Group offers hands-on experience across a broad range of industries and marketing and advertising specialties providing clients with results. The cornerstone of the services they provide is their ability to leverage their cultural expertise to create engaging messages. They say all strategies, campaigns, and programs developed and executed by the Purple Group are directed by proprietary tools and methodologies.

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

SmallGood is a nonprofit consulting firm that works with companies and organizations that want to make a positive impact in the world. To do that, they believe their brand and their marketing needs to resonate with meaning. 

Nonprofit consulting services

• Brand strategy
• Brand narrative and identity
• Communications plans and campaigns

Location(s)

Chicago, Illinois

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

SmallGood believes when people find a brand that shares their values and helps them connect to meaning, this brand strikes a chord, or it resonates. They call these Resonator Brands – this is what they help their clients build. SmallGood is founded and led by women. They are also committed to mentoring women and women of color.

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

Fenton helps clients achieve their goals by raising awareness that they say sparks movements, changes behavior and generates support for a more just, equitable and sustainable world. They are communications strategists for social change. Their clients are nonprofits, foundations, advocates and brands. 

Nonprofit consulting services

• Advertising
• Creative
• Digital
• Strategy and implementation
• Training
• Messaging
• Thought leadership
• Media relations
• Branding and positioning

Location(s)

New York, New York

Washington, DC

San Francisco

Los Angeles

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Fenton is progressive nonprofit consulting firm whose strategic work, they say, shapes national health care policy, combats voter suppression, protects reproductive rights, promotes racial equity, works for a fairer education system, expands economic opportunity, demands climate action and more.

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

Marketing for Change is a research and creative agency propelled by behavioral science. This nonprofit consulting firm believes all real change requires behavior change. Their Behavioral Determinants Framework overlays the foundational theories from social psychology and behavioral economics onto the core challenge of marketing – identifying the factors that influence what people do. Their interventions are aimed at those behavioral determinants that move audiences beyond awareness and into action.

Nonprofit consulting services

• Marketing
• Brand strategy
• Messaging
• Web development
• Digital
• Creative
• Video

Location(s)

Washington, DC

Orlando, Florida

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Marketing for Change uses a Behavioral Determinants Framework to reframe issues to tap into an audience’s wants and needs. They boil it down to fun, easy and popular — as, they say, most people adopt new behaviors for one of those reasons. 

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

Graves Fowler Creative is a nonprofit consulting firm that provides campaign strategy and communications for faith-based organizations. They help charities, foundations and dioceses connect with donors, communicate mission and “put faith into action.”

Nonprofit consulting services

• Strategy
• Brand building
• Design
• Campaign management

Location(s)

Silver Spring, Maryland

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Graves Fowler has been a source of communication support for giving campaigns and faith-based groups since 1984. The firm is structured to address complex needs when it comes to communication. Co-founder and president, Terry Graves, leads each initiative. Their team also includes a variety of designers, writers, developers and other specialists. 

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

Mission Minded is a branding firm that works with nonprofits, foundations, independent and public schools, colleges and universities. The consulting company believes that a brand is what sets organizations apart and is essential to a nonprofit’s success. They guide clients to uncover the “big, bold idea” that will attract more people to their work. 

Nonprofit consulting services

• Brand strategy
• Key messages and storytelling
• Strategic planning
• Naming
• Taglines
• Visual identity and logo design
• Websites
• Fundraising collateral
• Campaign creative
• Admissions campaign development
• Video
• Digital strategy
• Annual reports
• Fundraising campaign communications
• Board training
• Communications planning
• Blog-writing workshops

Location(s) 

San Francisco, California

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Mission Minded created a process that listens to the voices of an organization’s stakeholders and brings them together to achieve results. Their tagline is “Amplify the Good.” For them, they say this means: that they exist to help good causes have their voices be heard; that they foster optimism; and that they recognize good ideas and always work to improve upon them.

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

HelpGood is a digital agency that works with nonprofits, government agencies, NGOs and cause marketers to produce marketing, communication and fundraising strategies that “inspire action.”

Nonprofit Consulting Services

• Strategy
• Creative
• Web development
• Marketing and communications
• Paid and donated media
• Analytics and reporting

Location(s)

Los Angeles, California

Brooklyn, New York

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

HelpGood is a nonprofit consulting company that helps clients build brands, campaigns and capacity to generate reach, awareness, engagement and conversions. They help clients market, advocate and fundraise. They achieve this by providing clients with full-service solutions.

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

Media Cause is a mission-driven marketing and creative agency that helps nonprofits “grow and accelerate their impact.” 

Nonprofit consulting services

• Branding
• Creative strategy and design
• Web design and tech
• Fundraising
• MarTech
• Advocacy
• Advertising
• Google Ad Grants
• Social media

Location(s)

Throughout the United States

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Media Cause is a nonprofit consulting firm that takes a people-first approach to developing “powerful creative, scalable growth strategies, and targeted communications” that connect with individuals across their supporter journey: from awareness and recruitment to fundraising and advocacy and the touchpoints in-between.

Best Nonprofit Consultants for Design and Branding

Prosper Strategies also provides nonprofit consulting services in this area in partnership with Talooka Studio and Substance Strategic Visual Communications.

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

Marketing for Change is a research and creative agency propelled by behavioral science. This nonprofit consulting firm believes all real change requires behavior change. Their Behavioral Determinants Framework overlays the foundational theories from social psychology and behavioral economics onto the core challenge of marketing – identifying the factors that influence what people do. Their interventions are aimed at those behavioral determinants that move audiences beyond awareness and into action.

Nonprofit consulting services

• Marketing
• Brand strategy
• Messaging
• Web development
• Digital
• Creative
• Video

Location(s)

Washington, DC

Orlando, Florida

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Marketing for Change uses a Behavioral Determinants Framework to reframe issues to tap into an audience’s wants and needs. They boil it down to fun, easy and popular — as, they say, most people adopt new behaviors for one of those reasons. 

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

Loop is a creative agency that uses design to help social impact organizations address the world’s most pressing challenges. They design brands and web experiences that enable non-profits, NGOs and social enterprises to tell their stories, express their value and build ever-growing support. Their clients are progressive nonprofits and social enterprises, innovators and institutions who work at the intersection of social impact.

Nonprofit consulting services

• Branding
• Visual identity
• Website and digital design
• Reports and publications

Location(s)

Toronto, Canada

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

From global to local scales, Loop brings experience and knowledge needed to optimize web experiences and brands for the social impact sector.

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

Substance Strategic Visual Communications is a nonprofit consulting firm and Prosper Strategies partner that provides brand strategy and visual design for nonprofits and others. Their clients have a desire to stand out from the status quo.

Nonprofit consulting services

• Branding
• Visual identity

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Substance helps brands tell their stories with depth and authenticity. They help uncover what each nonprofit’s unique voice is and how to best communicate it. There’s an old saying “style is an accessory to substance.” That means nonprofits should focus on the content and the idea and let the images and style flow from there. That’s central to Substance’s design philosophy and the basis of their name.

Best Nonprofit Consultants for Public Relations

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

Rudd Resources is a full-service public relations firm that handles public affairs, community engagement and storytelling for philanthropic, nonprofit, government and corporate clients.  Since 2014, they say their communications work has advanced people, communities and ideas and intersects with: community development and economic opportunity; diversity, equity and inclusion; transportation and public transit; healthcare; and education.

Nonprofit consulting services

• PR planning, strategy and execution

Location(s)

Chicago, Illinois

What makes this nonprofit consultancy unique?

Rudd Resources is a Minority Business Enterprise/Woman Business Enterprise 

certified in Cook County, Illinois and with the State of Illinois, and they work from their offices in the Englewood and Auburn-Gresham neighborhoods on Chicago’s South Side. They say their client-service approach blends thoughtfulness, creativity, transparency, listening and humility for each project. They serve as their clients’ guide — their rudder — in their pursuit of communication, mission advancement and community-building goals.

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

The TASC Group is a nonprofit consultancy that provides public relations services in the social sector and beyond.

Nonprofit consulting services

• Public relations
• Media relations
• Crisis management
• Social media
• Grassroots communications and outreach
• Cause-related marketing
• SEO & SEM
• Media training
• Storytelling and messaging

Location(s)

New York, New York

What makes this nonprofit consultancy unique?

The TASC Group was built on a foundation of progressive values and a passion for public service, which, they say, is reflected in the work they do for our clients. They say they exist to make a meaningful, demonstrable difference to advocacy organizations, nonprofits and socially-driven businesses that are committed to building better communities and making the world a better place.

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

Public Communications Inc. is a communications, marketing and digital agency whose purpose is to make a “positive difference for their clients, their community and the world.”

Nonprofit consulting services

• Communication engagement and mobilization
• Crisis communications and issues
• Digital strategy and execution
• Integrated marketing and communications
• Media relations
• Spokesperson training
• Event support
• Public policy
• Reputation management and awareness
• Strategic planning
• Visual communication and design

Location(s)

Chicago, Illinois

What makes this nonprofit consulting firm unique?

PCI is independently owned. They believe it is important to keep senior-level staff involved on all programs, but they also design account teams and tasks with an eye toward providing cost-efficient work that, they say, stays within budget and delivers results. They are a Certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE); Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE); and Certified LGBT Business Enterprise® (LGBTBE).

Best Nonprofit Consultants for Google Ad Grants

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

Nonprofit Megaphone provides services to support nonprofits in using their Google Ad Grant.

Nonprofit consulting services

• Google Ad Grant management

Location(s)

Chicago, Illinois

Beaverton, Oregon

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Nonprofit Megaphone is Google Certified, provides month-to-month pricing options and proprietary tools to optimize their ads management.

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

Getting Attention is a Google Ad Grant management consulting firm for nonprofits. They use a “proven approach,” working closely with nonprofit teams to ensure they’re finding the right donors.

Nonprofit consulting services

Google Ad Grant management

Location(s)

Not listed

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Getting Attention charges no upfront fees and they say there are no surprise add-ons.

Best Nonprofit Consultants for Fundraising

Prosper Strategies also provides nonprofit consulting services in this area.

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

Sapphire Fundraising Specialists is a fundraising consulting business with a mission to catalyze a nonprofit’s “why” into an actionable and achievable fundraising plan. 

Nonprofit consulting services

• Strategic fundraising consulting
• Solicitation training
• Fundraising coaching

Location(s)

Chicago

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

This nonprofit consulting firm is led by fundraising professional, Susan Kahan.  Sapphire Fundraising Specialists say they provide personal attention to each client. They will assess each nonprofit’s goals, operations and definition of success to craft a personalized implementation plan to get each organization from where it is today to where it wants to be. 

Overview of this nonprofit consultant

CCS Fundraising is a strategic nonprofit fundraising consulting firm. CCS Fundraising says their consultants help nonprofits maximize their potential at every stage of the fundraising journey from developing a unique and compelling case for support to creating tactical plans to working shoulder to shoulder with their partners during the implementation phase.

Nonprofit consulting services

• Fundraising campaigns
• Audits and assessments
• Strategic planning
• Data, analytics, systems and research
• Interim development management
• Specialized development projects

Location(s)

Throughout the United States and Europe

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

For 75 years, CCS Fundraising has been a nonprofit consulting firm “at the forefront of advancing some of the most important causes in history.” They say they translate big-picture, complex topics into actionable solutions to help nonprofits meet and exceed their fundraising goals. They have a data-driven and step-by-step approach that provides a clear path forward with achievable milestones.

Overview of this nonprofit consultant

Campbell & Company is a nonprofit consulting firm that offers a comprehensive suite of nonprofit services, thaty they say allows them to consider a nonprofit’s challenges from every angle and craft customized, informed solutions. From fundraising strategy and messaging to analytics, they have tools and experience to help organizations “create greater impact.” 

Nonprofit consulting services

• Fundraising
• Executive search
• Communications
• Strategic information services
• Beam Insights (fundraising planning software)

Location(s)

Throughout the United States

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

For 43 years, Campbell & Company has helped shape the evolution of fundraising as a practice and philanthropy. They are passionate about helping their clients succeed. Their values—Integrity, Partnership, Candor, Inclusion, Rigor, Creativity—define and guide how they approach their work with organizations. 

About the nonprofit consulting firm

Aly Sterling Philanthropy is a partnership-driven consulting firm powering fundraising, strategic planning and board leadership solutions for the well-positioned nonprofit. The firm takes a holistic approach to creating solutions for clients, tailoring services and recommendations to meet needs ranging from fundraising assessments and campaign planning to donor communications and stewardship during a crisis.

Nonprofit consulting services

• Fundraising solutions
• Strategic planning
• Board CatalystSM  (a system to maximize board performance)
• Corporate philanthropy

Location(s)

Toledo, Ohio

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Aly Sterling Philanthropy works collaboratively with nonprofits to create proactive solutions to meet each organization’s needs. They also have The Nonprofit Store that has affordable, DIY fundraising tools focused on fundraising, strategic planning and board governance.

Overview of this nonprofit consultant

Graham-Pelton is a nonprofit consulting firm that provides nonprofits with knowledge, expertise and resources to “elevate their philanthropy.” They say they have developed a flexible model of service to the nonprofit industry – combining the benefits of intensive on-site staffing and high-level strategic counsel customized to the needs of each client.

Nonprofit consulting services

• Campaigns and initiatives
• Data and operations
• Growth and strategy
• Donors and constituents

Location(s)

Not listed

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Graham-Pelton uses a Confidence and Clarity™ Framework to evaluate five success factors of high-performing fundraising organizations, focusing counsel according to each organization’s needs to ensure each factor is in place.

Overview of this nonprofit consultant

Just Cause Consulting is a nonprofit consulting firm that specializes in fundraising. They apply “deep and diverse expertise” to meet the needs and character of each organization they work with.

Nonprofit consulting services

• Fundraising plan development
• Leadership and board optimization
• Donor base growth
• Donor focused communication
• Staff coaching and training

Location(s)

Chicago, Illinois

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Just Cause is led by Lisa Acker and Nancy Kohn. The nonprofit consulting firm is certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

Overview of this nonprofit consultant

M+R is a nonprofit consulting firm made up of communicators, marketers, fundraisers and campaigners who help “causes that inspire people to act.” They work exclusively with nonprofits. 

Nonprofit consulting services

• Online fundraising
• Earned media
• Social media 
• Digital advertising
• Campaign evaluation and strategy 
• Integrated advocacy campaigns
• Analytics and optimization
• Messaging and identity

Location(s)

Washington, DC

New York, New York

Boston, Massachusetts

Oakland, California

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Since 1991, M+R says they have been part of movements, breakthroughs and victories on behalf of people and the planet. They say their founders are organizers at heart, and this grassroots spirit still guides their work today. They started Scout Quest, a data co-op where participants share email deliverability indicators, fundraising data and advertising audiences. In return, they receive volumes of useful data about their supporters to help in targeting, re-engagement, advertising, etc.

Overview of this consulting firm

Greater Mission is a nonprofit consultant that helps church and faith-based organizations advance their missions through their array of planning, campaign and fund development services. They work alongside clients to fund new or enhanced facilities, ministries and outcomes through churches. They often serve as extended staff on special assignment. 

Nonprofit consulting services

Nonprofit services for diocesan and parish, Catholic charities, organizations and schools and Christian churches and ministries:

• Strategic planning
• Fund development
• Fundraising campaigns
• Feasibility studies
• Increased offertory programs
• Major gifts fundraising
• Annual appeal
• Board development
• Development audits
• Capital campaigns
• Legacy giving
• Capacity analysis and research

Location(s)

Annville, PA

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Greater Mission, LLC is a strategic fund-development consulting firm that specializes in serving churches and faith-based organizations. They have developed a program called Amern Generosity, which is an annual appeal giving system specifically designed for churches.

Best Nonprofit Consultants for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Overview of this nonprofit consultant

Justice Informed is a social impact nonprofit consulting firm based in Chicago but working across the US and globe. They serve a myriad of clients within their strategic service areas: diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI); community engagement; public policy-informed corporate social responsibility; and equity-focused philanthropy. 

Nonprofit consulting services

• DEI Trainings, retreats, seminars and lunch-n-learns
• DEI assessments and audits
• Meeting facilitation for internal staff/stakeholder conflicts
• DEI strategic planning
• DEI roadmap development for those organizations looking to launch their first DEI effort
• Coaching and consulting for diverse teams
• Executive team coaching and consulting
• DEI committee/ERG support
• DEI keynotes and engagement seminars

Location(s)

Chicago, Illinois

What makes this nonprofit consulting firm unique?

With a focus on relational specificity and management operations, Justice Informed says they build customized, human-centered strategies that increase the positive workplace and community impact of their clients. Justice Informed works with corporations, nonprofits, activism groups, universities, startups, government offices, philanthropic organizations, and more to “improve institutional processes, outcomes and environments for the 21st century.” 

Overview of this nonprofit consulting firm

Thought Partner Solutions (TPS) is a nonprofit consulting firm that was established in 2016 as an organizational and leadership development firm. It was founded by Jamal Jimerson. They offer partner organizations consulting, training and coaching through what they call a humanistic, process-oriented approach with equity at the center. Their partners include nonprofits, foundations, municipalities, small to midsize businesses, and schools including public K-12, charter, private and higher education.

Nonprofit consulting services

• Consulting, strategy development and education for boards, executive leaders and “equity champions” across an organization
• Leadership and professional development workshops for boards, executive leaders, “equity champions” and the workforce
• Coaching for management, human resources and general workforce​

Location(s)

Not listed

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

TPS developed and currently uses the Racial-Equity Acknowledgement, Commitment, & Transformation (RE-ACT) for Change™ framework. As a BIPOC-owned company, they say they are personally and professionally invested in eradicating institutional racism – offering solutions that help partners to build an antiracist workplace, support and care for people, implement antiracist policies and behaviors and develop “transformative equity leaders.” 

Best Nonprofit Consultants for Research, Evaluation and Measurement

Overview of this nonprofit consultant

PIE Org is a nonprofit consulting firm that builds the capacity of mission-driven organizations to evaluate impact, promote learning and facilitate equitable change.

PIE Org partners with mission-driven organizations including nonprofits, foundations, school districts, higher education institutions, public agencies, corporate social responsibilities departments and collective impact initiatives.

Nonprofit consulting services

• Evaluation and learning
• Strategic planning
• Coaching and workshops

Location(s)

Chicago, Illinois

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

PIE Org says they take a collaborative, culturally responsive approach to evaluation and strategic planning that emphasizes making data understandable and actionable. They facilitate ongoing data reflection to support improved service delivery and community impact.  When PIE partners with an organization, they say they weave in opportunities for capacity building and coaching so that changemakers can strengthen skills to more effectively serve others.

Overview of this nonprofit consultant

teenyBIG is a nonprofit consulting firm and Prosper Strategies partner that helps nonprofits engage in strategic listening. Strategic listening goes beyond annual surveys to pull specific information about those that have the potential to support a nonprofit,

such as what motivates them during a campaign or how they interpret the work that you do. This gives nonprofit teams the information they need to build more passionate campaigns, grow their community and communicate the support they need to their audience. 

Nonprofit consulting services

• Strategic listening

Location(s)

Chicago, Illinois

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

teenyBIG Principal, Emily Taylor, uses two decades of experience in Human-Centered Design, experience design and nonprofit leadership to help nonprofit teams engage the people that matter most to achieving their mission. Emily believes in strategically listening to audiences and collaboratively finding solutions that work with a nonprofit’s resources and stakeholders. 

Overview of this nonprofit consultant

Mission Measurement is a nonprofit consulting firm that helps organizations standardize, benchmark and predict social outcomes. Their clients include governments, CSR departments, philanthropies and NGOs.

Nonprofit consulting services

• Define success
• Measure success
• Build capacity
• Improve ROI

Location(s)

Chicago, Illinois

Washington, DC

Toronto

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Mission Measurement has quantified the impact of thousands of social programs around the world, covering the full range of outcomes, interventions, beneficiaries and contexts. They are also founders of the Impact Genome Project. 

Overview of this nonprofit consultant

OnStrategy is a nonprofit consulting firm with an “agile strategic planning approach” and software to help leaders connect daily focus with long-term strategy.

Nonprofit consulting services

• Strategic planning facilitation and coaching
• StrategySprintTM  (strategic planning in 4 weeks)
• Market assessments, competitive and industry analyses
• Organization benchmarking
• Employee insights
• OKR coaching and consulting

Location(s)

Not listed

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

In addition to their nonprofit consulting services, OnStrategy also has an OKR and strategy software that allows teams to align, manage results and accountability, provide community and board reporting and access real-time results dashboards.

Overview of this nonprofit consultant

Clear Impact is a nonprofit consultant that provides performance management software, training and services to help government agencies, nonprofits, communities and foundations track the performance of their programs, measure the impact of their funding, and report on the progress of their missions. Clear Impact has exclusive and worldwide rights to use Results-Based Accountability™ (RBA), including all of proprietary and intellectual property rights represented by RBA. 

Nonprofit consulting services

• Results-Based Accountability (RBA) software
• RBA management, budgeting and strategic planning
• Inclusive group process and facilitation
• RBA training, train the trainer and certifications
• Coaching and technical assistance

Location(s)

Rockville, Maryland

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Clear Impact works with government leaders, executive directors and public sector professionals to establish measurable performance expectations, identify the right data indicators and continuously monitor the progress of programs and partners by implementing the Results-Based Accountability framework to deliver impact. They also have a web-based Clear Impact Scorecard software that helps program managers, grant managers and performance directors collaborate with stakeholders and community partners to simplify data collection, standardize reporting, measure progress and improve performance on a local, regional and national scale.

Best Nonprofit Consultants for Social Media

Overview of this nonprofit consultant

Sarah Best Strategy (SBS) is a nonprofit consulting firm and Prosper Strategies partner that empowers organizations to shine in the digital space, whether they want to unleash the full potential of their in-house team or hire professional help to execute their vision.

Nonprofit consulting services

• Nonprofit social media strategy and audits
• Social media
• SEO strategy, research and implementation
• Same page content planning sessions
• Inbound content/strategy
• Email marketing
• Fundraising
• Coaching and training

Location(s)

Middleton, Wisconsin

What makes this nonprofit consultant unique?

Sarah Best Strategy increases productivity, builds the confidence of in-house teams and gets results. SBS also helps with setting up Classy, writing social media and email fundraising copy, optimizing fundraising landing pages, and promoting campaigns with paid social media.