What we do
At Nigel Harris and Associates, we help boards and leadership teams face modern challenges in philanthropy and fundraising. Our advisory and consultancy services can help you build a sustainable, strategic approach to fundraising.
Fundraising is changing rapidly
Charities and not-for-profit organisations encounter a range of challenges. Economic uncertainty, an increasingly competitive environment and internal change can all place pressure on an organisation’s philanthropic support and fundraising programs.
Research and experience tells us there may also be a limited understanding of fundraising at the board level of an organisation. Decisions are often based on guesswork, instinct or personal preference. When these approaches are embedded, it’s hard to find new solutions to complex problems.
Leadership builds success
Fundraising leadership goes beyond fundraising practices and programs. It looks at why you raise money and what social issue you are serving.
Successful organisations have strong fundraising leaders at senior levels. These leaders develop expertise in fundraising and make the case for investment in fundraising. These leaders are also supported at Board and executive level.
They champion new thinking and strategies to deliver long-term sustainable outcomes. They plan for the future, working to retain staff and build their skills.
Organisations with strong fundraising leadership can easily answer these questions:
- What are you measuring and why?
- How do your fundraising programs work together? What programs are right for your organisation?
- What do you know about philanthropy and fundraising, and what informs that understanding?
- What is your leadership responsibility around philanthropy and fundraising? How do you exercise it?
- Who is your organisation employing in fundraising and why?
Strengthen your culture of philanthropy
Nigel Harris and Associates helps not-for-profit and fundraising organisations become more successful through philanthropic and fundraising leadership.
Philanthropy is more than just giving money. It is framed around how donors see themselves, their relationship with others, and their aspirations for a better world.
Fundraising is more than just the action of raising funds. It requires deep thinking and exploration of ideas. It should look at outcomes and impacts, not just outputs.
Working with you in partnership, we can:
- Help you understand the broader philanthropic and fundraising environment
- Identify your social and economic motivations, and help align these goals
- Examine your business model, creating strong connections between organisational success and fundraising
- Explore markets, behaviours and relationships to identify opportunities for growth
- Address challenges and lead change, addressing issues such as donor retention, donor experience and staff retention.
A new approach to take you forward
Nigel Harris and Associates helps leaders shift traditional thinking and reconsider how success is measured.
We begin by listening deeply and building a solid understanding of your organisation and challenges.
We ask questions that lead to new insights, and develop strategies guided by research, experience and teaching.
We help you build leadership capacity in fundraising, and support team members who are ready to learn and grow.
