Your fundraising program has to produce at top effectiveness – plus you need to try things that are new. A program audit brings an objective and informed perspective to your most critical question: how to enhance current efforts while integrating new initiatives.

A team of McPherson Associates professionals will facilitate a complete review, usually in about 90 days. We’ll tackle questions you are already asking, and maybe add a few worth considering…

Where should your fundraising strategy adapt to new communications trends – and when should you stick with the tried-and-true?

How can you identify, reach and motivate new constituents? And how can you create new interest among donors who have greater potential?

How can you get your fundraising operations – your systems, people, and vendors – ready for bigger goals?

You can request a full-scale, top-to-bottom audit, or a limited review focused on a specific area – new donor acquisition, donor retention, new technology, message development, organizational expansion, or another area that will have the fundraising impact you need.

Whatever the focus, your audit will candidly assess your options, the risk/reward picture, and action items that are prioritized, practical and specific.

Everybody needs good advice. Maybe just occasionally. Maybe regularly. Everyone also needs a helping hand once in a while, especially one that is experienced and dependable.

McPherson Associates knows you have great internal resources. We also know you need to be confident that you’ve considered your options, vetted your strategy, scanned the competition – and have a way to monitor (and adjust!) your program. And some functions benefit from an outside perspective, either regularly or occasionally.

Flexible Consulting provides a level of counsel and support based on your situation. When that changes, we change with it.

Depending on your needs, your McPherson Associates consultant can advise one-to-one – or expand your team with specialists in fields as varied as direct marketing, database evaluation, copywriting, design, opinion research, and a wide range of technology from video to mobile phones.

Your consulting team is always directed by a primary contact who understands your organization’s goals and culture. We will respect your internal politics – but never let them get in the way of our advice.

We take pride in providing counsel that helps you aim high. We’ve been called candid, realistic, practical - also inspiring, energizing and slightly irreverent. Check with our clients and see how they describe the value of our advice.

Starting a new initiative or testing a new idea can be daunting when your team is already working to capacity. We can provide the extra resources you need to plan and launch a new fundraising activity. We’ll put your strategy to the test, along with your assumptions and goals. We’ll make sure you have the fundraising tools you need, and prepare your staff for the ongoing management and evaluation your new activity requires.

We can help move a bold, untried idea off the drawing board, like targeting a whole new constituency or using a new communications technology.

We can also help re-launch a traditional area to produce greater results, like mid-level giving, monthly sustainer programs or website visitor conversion.

Your McPherson Associates professional will see you through launch – and help you keep an eye on your new activity if it encounters obstacles or if it takes off beyond your wildest dreams.

Project Transitioning typically requires a planning and launch phase, and offers optional ongoing monitoring after the operations are transitioned to your staff.

The costliest thing that can happen to your program is burnout – yours or your team’s. A promising junior person leaves, a talented veteran stops offering ideas, a department loses confidence in its ability to conquer its goals.

The forces that drive burnout and performance fatigue can be identified and addressed before they hurt your staff and your fundraising program.

There are plenty of ideas, intelligence and commitment inside your organization. Sometimes it just takes someone from the outside to help develop – and unleash – all that talent.

A bright, young person wants to work on a project. You don’t want to say no, but you worry they are a little too inexperienced. An experienced middle manager is given responsibility for a new fundraising activity. You both know it has to happen, but have concerns about the necessary skills. Maybe you need to think through a big issue or idea before you try it on your board or management.

McPherson Associates provides flexible delivery of services to develop, encourage and retain your staff including

• Structured custom training workshops
• Facilitation of one-time retreats or regular staff development sessions
• Informal “drop-in” coaching

Popular training and coaching topics have included Fundraising Communications Trends, Testing, Message Development & the Creative Process, Direct Marketing, and Integrating New Communication Technology.

Our professionals are patient, supportive and very experienced. If your goals and needs are growing a little faster than you can handle them, maybe we can help.