This is the sixth post in the How to Start a Nonprofit Side Hustle series.
Last week I caught up with Niecy Taylor, who just moved across the country from having a full-time nonprofit job in Baltimore to trying to get her foot in the door of New Mexico’s nonprofit sector. She gave some insight to how she ended up making the decision to become a consultant instead.
How long have you been a nonprofit consultant and what kind of consulting do you do?
I’ve officially been a nonprofit consultant for 3 months. I am currently in the process of establishing an LLC for my firm. Unofficially, I feel like I’ve been a nonprofit consultant for the past 5 years since I began working in the social change sector. I’ve always been unafraid to ask provocative questions to get organizations I’m involved with to think about how we can have the greatest impact. I’ve enjoyed pushing back against the status quo to take organizations to the next level.
How did you get your first nonprofit consulting gig? Was it paid?
I did not initially make the conscious decision to become a nonprofit consultant. When I moved from Baltimore to Albuquerque in October 2009, I began looking for jobs in the nonprofit sector and was not making any progress. At the same time, there were all these inspiring and very thought provoking dialogues going on around me about impact consulting and having a greater impact by being able to work with more organizations. I felt as though I was being led right into my very own nonprofit consulting career.
It is amazing how things work. Shortly after I decided I would focus my attention on building my practice, the organization I have worked for the past 4 years asked me to contract with them as a consultant once I left. So, my first “official” gig is paid! I’m also doing some pro bono work for several grassroots organizations while I’m building my practice.
In your opinion, what are the benefits (if any) of being a nonprofit consultant vs. being a full-time nonprofit employee?
The main benefit for me is that I get to work with several organizations at one time, which means over the years the number of organizations I will have worked with will increase. I feel there is much change to happen, and the nonprofit sector is so vital to that change. I view my work not just as a consultant, but as a community change agent. I can effect that change through my consulting practice.
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