The Smart Nonprofit's Intro to Hiring a Fractional Fundraiser
As a nonprofit leader, you've probably experienced this scenario: Your organization needs experienced fundraising help, but hiring a senior development director feels financially out of reach. Meanwhile, hiring junior staff often leads to high turnover and requires significant training time you don't have.
Sound familiar?
You're not alone.
With 77% of nonprofit employees reporting burnout and considering leaving their positions, organizations are caught in a challenging cycle. But there's good news - there's a better way forward.
What is a Fractional Fundraiser?
Think of a fractional fundraiser as your experienced fundraising partner who works with your organization part-time on a long-term basis. Unlike traditional consultants who typically provide recommendations and leave, or junior staff who need extensive training, fractional fundraisers bring senior-level expertise and handle both strategy AND implementation.
You get a fraction of the time – and cost – of a full-time executive.
Traditional Consultants: Typically provide recommendations and plans but leave implementation to internal teams
Interim Executives: Temporary full-time leaders who bridge gaps during transitions
Fractional Executives: Ongoing, part-time executive team members who both strategize AND implement
Why Consider a Fractional Fundraiser?
Let's look at what makes this model particularly effective for small to mid-sized nonprofits:
- Senior Expertise at Junior Prices
- Access experienced fundraising leadership at a cost comparable to a junior position
- Get efficient execution - tasks that might take a junior staff days are completed in hours
- Benefit from strategic insights gained from years of diverse nonprofit experience
- Reduced Executive Director Burnout
- Eliminate the need for constant fundraising supervision
- Trust your fundraising to an experienced professional
- Free up time to focus on leading your organization
- No More Turnover Headaches
- Enjoy consistent fundraising efforts not disrupted by staff changes
- Build sustainable systems that stay with your organization
- Maintain steady progress toward your fundraising goals
Real Results: What's Possible?
Consider the story of NPower's Dayton office. When they engaged a fractional fundraiser, they went from raising $5,000 in nine months to securing $150,000-$160,000 in just 30-45 days.
Or look at Business in the Streets (BITS), which achieved:
- 33% revenue growth in their first year with a fractional fundraiser
- Seven new funders added to their portfolio
- Growth from a $350,000 to $550,000-$575,000 operating budget
The Investment: Breaking Down the Numbers
Let's compare the real costs of different fundraising options:
Is a Fractional Fundraiser Right for Your Organization?
You might be ready for a fractional fundraiser if:
☑️ Your fundraising has hit a plateau
☑️ Your ED or programming staff is overwhelmed with fundraising responsibilities
☑️ You've experienced high turnover in junior fundraising positions
☑️ You need more than just advice - you need implementation
☑️ You're ready to invest in fundraising but want to ensure a good ROI
☑️ You want long-term solutions for your fundraising to grow consistently
What to Expect When Working with a Fractional Fundraiser
The First Steps (1-3 months)
- Comprehensive assessment of your current fundraising
- Development of a strategic fundraising plan
- Clear implementation timeline and deliverables
Ongoing Work
- Regular check-ins (typically weekly or bi-weekly)
- Hands-on implementation of fundraising activities
- Regular reporting and updates
Long-term Impact
- Sustainable fundraising systems
- Diversified funding streams
- Improved donor relationships
- Enhanced fundraising capacity
The Right Fit?
While fractional fundraising isn't a perfect fit for every organization, it offers a compelling solution for many small to mid-sized nonprofits looking to grow their fundraising without the overhead of a full-time senior hire or the limitations of a junior staff member.
The key is finding the right partner who understands your organization's unique needs and can provide both the strategic guidance and hands-on implementation needed for success.
Ready to explore whether a fractional fundraiser could be right for your organization? Look for professionals who:
- Have 7+ years of fundraising experience
- Understand your organization's size and sector
- Can provide clear examples of past success
- Offer transparent pricing
- Are committed to long-term partnerships
Remember, fundraising success isn't just about having someone in the role - it's about having the right person with the right expertise doing the work consistently over time.
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Want to learn more about working with a fractional fundraiser or becoming a fractional fundraiser? Visit fractionalfundraising.co for more information.
Cindy Wagman has proven you can serve yourself and others well - without settling. After over 20 years of fundraising and 9 years of consulting, Cindy now helps nonprofit consultants shake off the “shoulds”, drop the scarcity hangover from the nonprofit sector, and find abundance in entrepreneurship.
She is also the founder of The Fractional Fundraising Movement that connects small nonprofits and the Fractional Fundraisers that serve them.
Cindy has presented online and around the world on stages for AFP, Fundraising Everywhere, Strategic Arts Management, We Are For Good, and more. She is the former host of the top-rated The Small Nonprofit podcast, and best-selling author of Raise It! The Reluctant Fundraiser’s Guide to Raising Money Without Selling Your Soul. Cindy is currently the co-host of the Confessions with Jess and Cindy podcast for nonprofit serving consultants.