Are you looking for external communications guidance from a consultant? Budget will always matter, but “lowest fee” is unlikely to lead you to the best partner. So, what should you look for in a nonprofit communications consultant instead?
In this post, I recommend three criteria that help you evaluate whether a consultant will deliver strategic, practical, and lasting value for your organization. In short: When you’re deciding what to look for in a nonprofit communications consultant, focus on their experience with nonprofits, their approach to strategic alignment, their specialty or focus, and their ability to co-create with your team.
Note: You might notice a not-so-subtle bias in this post, as it was inspired by a personal milestone. On January 28th, 2026, I marked 18 years of running a business dedicated to supporting nonprofit communicators. With eight years of in-house experience prior to that, my 25+ years of extensive nonprofit experience shape my approach and are reflected in the pricing of my services.
Key qualities to look for in a nonprofit communications consultant
1. Strategic guidance that aligns communications with priorities
Many nonprofit communications challenges stem from a lack of alignment between strategy, messaging and capacity. An experienced nonprofit communications consultant can help you realign your approach.
Here’s what that means for my clients:
I bring my years of nonprofit experience, a strategy-first lens, and frameworks that give you clarity you can use for years. My clients invest in my services because the outcomes go far beyond deliverables:
- Clear, aligned messaging that reduces confusion and friction
- Streamlined content systems that save time across teams
- A unified narrative that strengthens engagement and trust
- Communications that support (and don’t sideline) strategic priorities
I don’t provide short-term fixes; I create long-term assets that strengthen your foundations and elevate your communications function.
Once you’re confident that a consultant can provide strategic guidance, the next question is: do they bring the right expertise to your specific challenges?
2. Specialized expertise within nonprofit communications
If you’re looking for external help to solve a specific problem, then you’ll benefit more from a specialist versus a communications generalist.
Here’s what that means for my clients:
I focus on three key areas: brand messaging, website content, and storytelling. These aren’t just projects, they’re communications infrastructure. My clients invest in my specialized expertise in these areas, along with:
- Senior-level strategic advising
- Deep nonprofit sector understanding
- High-touch collaboration with your team
- A process that reduces internal friction, aligns stakeholders, and saves hours of staff time
Clients consistently tell me the work pays for itself in time saved, alignment gained, and the confidence to move forward.
Strategic and specialized guidance only helps if you can realistically implement the work. That’s where practical, hands-on support matters.
3. Practical support that doesn’t leave you with more work
I’ve spent enough years as an in-house comms leader to vividly remember the feeling of having impractical recommendations dumped in my lap, leaving me with a new task list I didn’t have time or capacity to implement. Since day one of my business, I’ve worked to avoid being that consultant, which is why I do both: strategy and implementation.
Here’s what that means for my clients:
I provide a strategy that’s actionable and content that reflects the strategy. I’ve designed my approach to feel seamless, efficient, and supportive for nonprofit leaders and communicators. My clients invest in practical support that includes:
- Tailored recommendations grounded in your organization’s reality
- A content specialist who can turn strategy into messaging, stories, and website content
- A collaborative partner who lifts the load, rather than adds to it
Instead of handing over a strategy and walking away, I help you turn it into real messaging and content you can use in your communications implementation.
Choose the right fit for your nonprofit communications challenges
Choosing the right nonprofit communications consultant may require a larger investment. But when that consultant delivers strategic clarity, specialized nonprofit expertise, and practical, hands-on support, it will pay off in time saved, alignment gained, and stronger communications foundations.
If you’re ready to invest in strategic, practical, and lasting communications support, here are three ways we can work together:
- Brand messaging: a clear, aligned messaging foundation for your organization.
- Website content strategy: a plan for a website that reflects your nonprofit’s priorities and supports your goals.
- Storytelling strategy: stories that deliver your narrative and deepen engagement with your communities.
Would you like to talk more about working together? Contact me to set up a consultation.
