Nonprofit Consultancy
Nonprofit Consultancy 2025-2026
The Nonprofit Consultancy is a wonderful opportunity for nonprofit organizations to receive support on pressing organizational issues while working with Master of Nonprofit Management students as they build their skills and networks in preparation for graduation.
How does it work?
Nonprofits apply to participate in the Consultancy. Selected nonprofits work with students to develop a scope of work to address their identified need. Then, the student teams collect information and develop a final report or plan for their nonprofit that explores and offers recommendations and resources around the identified need. Projects culminate in a presentation to the nonprofit’s board and/or staff and partners.
Interested in participating?
Timeline
Participating in Nonprofit Consultancy lasts from October through mid-June of the following year. The bulk of the project work occurs April through mid-June. You will receive your final deliverables and presentations by June 10, 2026.
Application Due: 10/10/25
Applicants Selected to Move to Screening 10/27/25
Final Decisions: 12/1/25
Partner Orientation: Week of 12/1/25 or 12/8/25
Student Teams Begin Scoping: 1/12/26
Scopes and Data Collection Process Finalized: 3/20/26
Projects Officially Begin: 3/30/26
Project Officially Ends, All Deliverables and Presentations Complete: 6/10/26
What kind of projects are a good fit?
Typical projects include strategic plans, fundraising plans, and volunteer recruitment and management plans. You can get creative though – we’ve also had students assist their nonprofit partners with investigating alternative operational models, create marketing campaigns, and conduct program research.
Bottom line is we are looking for projects where you can clearly identify a need or challenge to investigate that will result in a series of recommendations, resources, and next steps for your organization.
Past Project Examples
- 2-Year Marketing and Fundraising Plan
- Sustainable Funding Model Assessment
- Strategic Growth Engagement Plan
- Donor Program 360 Review and Recommendations
How much does it cost?
$0. We’re currently able to offer consulting support for no charge to our nonprofit partners.
We do, however, require a minimum time commitment from at least one lead staff member:
- 10 hours total October-December
- 10-15 hours total January-March
- 1-3 hours per week April-mid-June
How do we select nonprofits and projects?
This year, we anticipate having enough students to work on 2-4 different projects. We select projects based on the following criteria:
- Project – Will the project be doable for a team or graduate students in about a four-month period?
- Alignment with Student Interests/Needs – Will the project help our students build skills and networks in their areas of interest?
- Mentorship – Is the project partner committed to mentoring students and supporting their learning opportunities?
- Nonprofit Need – We do our best to prioritize nonprofits who have no other means or resources to complete the project.
When will I know if my project is selected?
We have a two-step application process:
- Submit an initial online application. Applications close Friday, October 10, 2025.
- Screening Conversation
- Successful applicants will be invited to participate in a screening conversation (or notified we cannot support them this year) by Monday, October 27, 2025
- We will complete screening conversations and notify applicants of final decisions by Monday, December 1, 2025
If we select your project, you will need to complete two final steps before the end of the year:
- Participate in a partner orientation call
- Update your project information based on any feedback you receive from the Nonprofit Consultancy instructors
