Reflections of a First-Year Consultant
In August 2022, I made the switch from front-line fundraising to consulting. In the spirit of full transparency, I did not know fully what consulting entailed. However, what intrigued me most about the open position at M. Gale was being able to learn a different area of fundraising, capital campaigns, something I had not had the opportunity to do in my years as a small shop fundraising generalist. As we near the final months of 2023, what better time to reflect and share what I’ve learned from my first year as a fundraising consultant?
Most M. Gale consultants work with multiple clients, sometimes five to six at a time. The scope, roles, and responsibilities are outlined for the consultant to provide strategy, partnership, coaching, recommendations and implementation support, but at the end of the day, the organization is ultimately responsible for execution. However, my role is slightly different. I primarily serve one client and fully operate as an extension of their fundraising team. I know first-hand that a front-line fundraiser’s plate is often overfilled. There are staff to manage, grants to write, and donors to meet. It can be difficult to carve out time for it all. Consultants provide margin; space to process and strategize; an extra set of eyes, ears, and hands to help move the impact forward. They also bring an outside perspective that helps non-profit professionals engage in their day-to-day work differently.
Consulting has allowed me to serve the non-profit sector in more personally meaningful ways. What has always brought me joy and sincere purpose is helping a non-profit operate in a way that clears a path for their mission and vision to exceed potential. Whether I was the receptionist or the Director of Development, I would strive to leave the non-profit better off than when I started. I am grateful that I still have the opportunity to do that as a consultant. There is a period of discovery and investigative work that occurs early on in the consulting process. It is during this time in which pivotal information is unearthed that has the opportunity to shift the trajectory of the organization in long-lasting ways.
Lastly, consulting has breathed new life into my career. I’ve learned about so many new non-profits in Dallas/Fort Worth and throughout this region. I’ve been part of round table discussions that look at innovative approaches to resolve critical issues facing the non-profit sector. I’ve led trainings that provided guidance for new fundraisers planning their first event or dealing with a rejected grant proposal. This last year has taught me that it’s less about what consulting entails but more about joining forces with your client to be an advocate for their success.
Ashanti Williams is a campaign associate at M. Gale & Associates. As the campaign associate, she provides administrative support to development teams undergoing capital campaigns. Ashanti is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Dallas Chapter, African American Development Officers Group, Junior League of Dallas, and TCU College of Fine Arts Alumni Engagement Committee. Ashanti is a Dallas native and is lends her time and talents to advance the missions of the Dallas non-profit community.
