The cost of operating a sophisticated in-house development office led by experienced staff can put tremendous pressure on a nonprofit’s operating budget. In an environment where funders look for potential grantees to maintain development costs below 25% of funds raised, many nonprofit organizations find they cannot afford to hire staff with meaningful experience and a proven track record.
The Nonprofit Brain Trust offers an innovative solution to this challenge. We help nonprofits maximize their development efforts and in-house resources by offering a virtual outsourcing alternative to the traditional development paradigm. Our signature program, The Virtual Development Office (VDO), is a cost-effective solution to the ongoing challenges of staffing, managing and operating an in-house development department.
Our Approach
Working with executive management, we identify an organization’s competencies and needs, assess their readiness for a strategic development program, and determine clear goals and objectives. We prepare a work plan that identifies key activities and a timeline for implementation. Team members are actively involved in developing the work plan and are ready to “hit the ground running” once approvals are in place.
The VDO is customized for each organization and is designed to compliment or support current in-house capabilities. The VDO can function as an organization’s development department, or provide ongoing assistance with existing programs and activities. Our flexible services allow nonprofits to focus in-house resources on core competencies, eliminate expensive staff turnover, and increase the effectiveness of development efforts.
