Consultants

Comment

Comment by Candace Schuler, GPC, CFRE on August 7, 2009 at 10:46am

In the nonprofit world in general I am seeing more job listings indicating a preference for the CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) for development jobs. So much so, in fact, that I have several colleagues (Executive Directors, Directors of Development, Major Gifts Officers, etc) who have taken the exam in order to add CFRE to their resumes.

The GPC (Grant Professional Certified) is fairly new. I believe the exam has only been offered for two or three years. Still, it has been a very positive factor in my consulting business -- both in strengthening my credibility as a professional and in ncreasing my income. I raised my rates 25% after passing the GPC exam without a word of protest from current clients.

I think part of the interest in the GPC credential is due to the fact that anyone can call themselves a grant writer. There's no degree you have to earn or test you have to take. to hang out your shingle. As a result, I think many nonprofits have been burned by individuals who called themselves grant writers but weren't (or weren't any good at it) and are seeking some reassurance the next grant writer they hire can do the job. The GPC and CFRE certifications give them that reassurance.

Comment by Heather Stombaugh on August 7, 2009 at 10:13am

Hello all! I've been a grants consultant for 3 1/2 years but a grant writer for 10 years. I work with a lot of local nonprofits (in many areas but mostly related to health - both faith-based and secular) with a focus on generating operating, capital, and project support through foundation grants. Generally, I provide services along the grants continuum: grants research/prospecting, master proposal development, targeted proposal writing, grants training for staff and board, grants management system development, outcomes measurement systems development, and cultivation. Thanks for the opportunity to chat with this group - such diverse experience! I have a question for all of you: I see some of you have the CFRE or other philanthropy-related certifications. Do you recommend for or against and why?

Comment by Candace Schuler, GPC, CFRE on August 7, 2009 at 7:41am

I have been a freelance writer for going on 20 years now, and have written everything from software user manuals to marketing collateral to business plans to case studies to romance novels. I wrote my first grant proposal about 10 years ago. Like Christa, it was a federal proposal (to the Dept of Ed) and I wrote half-a-dozen or so more federal proposals before I wrote my first one to a foundation. I've written close to 300 proposals since that first one; they are all over the place in terms of type, everything from senior housing to sustainable energy to education and healthcare. Right now, I am doing a lot of work with for-profit companies interested in going after ARRA funds.

Comment by Christa M Evans on August 6, 2009 at 4:22pm

I am new to consulting, having been in business less than a year now. I joined this group hoping to learn from other, more experienced consultants. I currently am involved in writing SBIR grants for two clients, but have also recently written several federal grants to different agencies. Oddly enough, I have not yet written a foundation grant since starting my consultancy! I don't get the feeling this is the norm. Anyway, just wanted to introduce myself and say hi.

Comment by Jeffrey J. Rodman, CFRE, CGS on July 14, 2009 at 10:39am

I have been a consultant for 10 years and operate Here-4-You Consulting and the Christian Funding Directory.

My consultancy focuses specifically on Christian Ministries and Churches.

We have clients all across the country and in about a dozen foreign countries.

One of our most active clients right now is a private Christian School in India. I am planning a visit early next year to visit them in India and to visit some other ministries that are potential clients.

Is anyone else focused on Christian Ministries and Churches?

I would love to hear about your experiences.

Comment by Jess Sand on June 9, 2009 at 2:49pm

Thanks for the invite, Marie, I will def. be in touch.

Comment by Marie Beichert, CFRE on June 9, 2009 at 2:01pm

Greetings, Jess. My client just opened their worker-owned food coop in West Oakland on Saturday. Took six years from concept to reality, and worth every minute. We have several system incubator projects in the works right now. Lots of deadlines this week, but perhaps you'd like to come to lunch in Emeryville sometime in the coming weeks to discuss and visit the site. They could use some marketing help. I'd like to know more about FMI. Find me at www.granthelper.com

Comment by Jess Sand on June 9, 2009 at 12:35pm

Hi Marie,

Although I'm more of a communications consultant than a grant writer at this stage, I'm very interested in sustainable food chains. I'll be attending the FMI (Food Marketing Institute) Sustainability Summit here in SF this August, and am looking forward to a serious peek inside the industry. A close family member is something of an insider, and insists that the industry - particularly retail - really is the canary in the coalmine for the rest of American food security/safety. It's fascinating stuff - I'd love to hear more about your own work in the area.

Comment by Melanie R. Negrin, GPC on May 14, 2009 at 7:11pm

Welcome to the group Maggie!

Comment by Maggie Mills on May 14, 2009 at 6:23pm

I must confess that I am not a consultant; however, I aspire to be one and have joined this forum in hopes of "listening in" to learn from you.

I am a full-time grant writer--currently for Torrance Memorial Medical Center in Torrance, CA, prior to that at Hoag Memorial Presbyterian Hospital in Newport Beach, CA. While at the latter, I picked up a certificate in nonprofit management from University of California at Irvine.

Looking forward to learning lots. (:

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