This is the fourth post in the How to Start a Nonprofit Side Hustle series.
Today, I share a real story from Sarah Fischler, a nonprofit professional and consultant who’s also getting her serious nonprofit side hustle on. I asked her a few questions to provide some insight into how she got started with consulting.
How long have you been a nonprofit consultant and what kind of consulting do you do?
I have been a paid nonprofit consultant for a little more than two years. I have enjoyed being a generalist, as this approach really helped me get a sense of the kinds of work I really like and identify my strongest consulting skills. Recently, however, I have been honing in on a few areas of practice: organizational strategy work, organizational assessments, governance, and leadership transitions.
I have also led a few sector-wide research projects and want to do more in this area. Eventually, I would like to split my focus between individual client work and projects that can help promote greater effectiveness and sustainability for the sector. I also work to position myself as being a partner in a nonprofit’s success, not a detached outside expert. This approach takes more time and thoughtfulness, but results in better outcomes with my target market of clients.
How did you get your first nonprofit consulting gig? Was it paid?
Early in my career, I was fortunate to oversee a large grantmaking program at a local foundation. While I was there, I helped shift our grantmaking from being highly transactional to being highly relational, with capacity building for grantees playing a major role in that shift. This experience got me really interested in capacity building and I started providing a significant amount of free coaching to our grantees.
After leaving the foundation, I was hired as the Director of Consulting at the Community Resource Center, a statewide nonprofit capacity building organization in Colorado (my current position). Although I had informally consulted with quite a few organizations while at the foundation, I had to rely almost exclusively on instinct for my first few paid consulting jobs at CRC, all of which somewhat arbitrarily assigned to me in my first staff meeting. That approach worked in some situations and not so well in others. In a rapid, trial-by-fire fashion, I learned business development, facilitation, report writing, project management, job scoping, and lots of other skills that are now almost second nature.
In your opinion, what are the benefits (if any) of being a nonprofit consultant vs. being a full-time nonprofit employee?
I have the benefit of being both because I currently work for a nonprofit that provides consulting services. For now, this is a good situation because I have access to a lot of really interesting work through my employer – access that I would not have as an independent consultant. I also appreciate the security and consistency of having a salary and benefits. On the other hand, I lack the autonomy to focus on some things that really interest me. And, I could probably make more and do more pro bono projects if I had my own business.
Being a consultant also gives me a bigger window through which I can see the nonprofit sector and social change movements. I have seen the same problems with many of my clients and am motivated to help find some solutions to these sector-wide issues, like developing some better governance models. I find this to be one of the most rewarding aspects of my work as a consultant.
A few other things for people to consider when thinking about becoming a nonprofit consultant:
- A strong network is essential. My largest and most interesting projects are the result of carefully, authentically nurtured relationships.
- Make a commitment to staying on the leading edge, as this will set you apart from your competition. It takes time to stay in tune with the thought leaders of our field, but I think it is essential.
- I started doing paid consulting at 27. I have only had two instances where people commented about my age in a negative way. If you come to a project with the right set of skills, expertise, flexibility, and willingness to learn, I think young professionals can be highly effective consultants and often bring an important level of freshness to their projects.
- Consulting is far more difficult than most people expect, especially in terms of the psychological aspects of the work. Take the time to learn how to move a group through conflict, facilitate difficult conversations, and deliver negative information in a humane manner.
- Under-promise and over-deliver. This is the best way to build business and gain repeat customers. This is my mantra for 2010.
- Build a network of peer consultants who you can turn to for advice, work with on large projects, and use as a trusted referral network.
- Commit yourself to doing what is right for the client, not what will get you the next contract. You certainly do not want to develop that reputation.
In addition to her full-time nonprofit job, Sarah also provides consulting services and career coaching for nonprofit professionals. You can read her blog at www.sarahfischler.org and follow her on Twitter @SarahFischler
Up Next: How to Start a Nonprofit Side Hustle: Where to Find the Extra Time to Do Consulting
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