Best Nonprofit Consulting Services in the USA

United States Nonprofit Consultants

Navigating the nonprofit sector in the United States requires not only heart but also sharp strategy, ethical funding guidance, and sustainable growth planning. That’s why many mission-driven organizations turn to outsourced, fractional, and virtual nonprofit consultants who bring clarity, accountability, and proven frameworks to the table.

This curated list of United States Nonprofit Consultants highlights standout professionals and boutique firms helping nonprofits amplify impact without compromising on authenticity.

Methodology: How We Chose These Nonprofit Consulting Services in the USA

We don’t believe in generic directories or pay-to-play lists. Here’s how we selected each standout:

✅ Research-driven: Each consultant or firm shows verified results from case studies to repeatable frameworks and real-world transformations.

✅ Client-reviewed: We look for authentic testimonials and proven ROI, not just marketing buzzwords.

✅ Location-based: Every consultant or boutique here is proudly rooted in the United States and understands the nuances of local, regional, and national nonprofit challenges.

🌟 Meet the Nonprofit Consultants in the USA Making Things Happen

Tess O'Dwyer Nonprofit Management

What they do:
Tess O'Dwyer Nonprofit Management is known for customized strategic planning, capital campaign design, board training, and communications for cultural, educational, and philanthropic organizations.

Who they work with:
Primarily museums, arts organizations, universities, and cause-based nonprofits across the USA.

Operating model:
They bring a highly collaborative, tailored approach, often working as a fractional Chief Development Officer or project-based campaign lead.

💡 Why they stand out:

• 🎭 Specializes in arts and culture institutions with unique bilingual (English-Spanish) community engagement frameworks.
  
  
• 📚 Deep grant-writing track record securing millions for clients over two decades.
  
  
• 🌍 Hands-on leadership style rooted in inclusive governance and cross-cultural philanthropy.

Tess O'Dwyer, Founder, President & CEO of Tess O'Dwyer Nonprofit Management

Tess O'Dwyer is a nationally respected nonprofit strategist, known for revitalizing legacy arts organizations and launching first-of-their-kind capital campaigns. She’s bilingual and bicultural, with a career spanning senior roles at major institutions like Ballet Hispánico and Japan Society. Tess is widely recognized for board development and storytelling that resonates with diverse donor bases.

Prestige Nonprofit Consulting

What they do:
Prestige Nonprofit Consulting offers full-cycle development services, including fundraising audits, strategic plans, grant writing, and executive coaching.

Who they work with:
Medium-sized nonprofits and emerging nonprofits ready to scale, often in education, community development, and youth services.

Operating model:
Blends virtual sessions with on-site retreats, plus robust training programs for boards and staff.

💡 Why they stand out:

• 📈 Highly praised fundraising bootcamps that turn small shops into major-gift-ready organizations.
  
  
• ✏️ Detailed grant-writing workshops with real-time editing and coaching.
  
  
• 🤝 Strong partnership ethos, founder Matthew Hocherman often becomes a trusted advisor beyond the initial scope.

Matthew Hocherman, Founder & Chief Improvement Officer of Prestige Nonprofit Consulting

Matthew Hocherman brings over 20 years of nonprofit leadership to the table, having held executive fundraising roles in education and healthcare. He’s known for actionable plans that are both donor-centric and staff-friendly. Clients appreciate Matthew’s direct communication style and measurable results, especially for capital campaigns and sustainable giving pipelines.

The Nonprofit Strategy Group

What they do:
The Nonprofit Strategy Group focuses on governance, strategic plans, and organizational restructuring for nonprofits facing growth or crisis moments.

Who they work with:
Community-based orgs, membership associations, and mid-sized charities navigating leadership transitions or mergers.

Operating model:
Short-term engagements or long-term retainer models, tailored to boards needing actionable roadmaps fast.

💡 Why they stand out:

• ⚙️ Nimble crisis response, known for stabilizing organizations during leadership turnovers.
  
  
• 📊 Evidence-based frameworks for board engagement and succession planning.
  
  
• 🗂️ Deep sector insight from founder’s background in policy and nonprofit management.

Richard D. Eveleigh, Founder & Principal of The Nonprofit Strategy Group

Richard D. Eveleigh, MPA, is a seasoned nonprofit strategist with over 25 years of experience in board governance and executive leadership. Richard has guided dozens of nonprofits through structural transitions, helping them re-align missions and build resilient boards. His style is calm, pragmatic, and grounded in real-world governance best practices.

KGA Nonprofit Consulting, LLC

What they do:
KGA specializes in grant development, program design, compliance audits, and sustainability planning for nonprofits across multiple sectors.

Who they work with:
Small to mid-sized organizations, often focused on social services, public health, and community development.

Operating model:
Remote-first team with extensive virtual workshops and customized toolkits.

💡 Why they stand out:

• 🧩 Known for “grant readiness” frameworks that help new nonprofits build funding credibility.
  
  
• 🔍 Compliance-focused, reduces risk with detailed internal audits.
  
  
• 🏆 Award-winning proposals with millions raised for underserved communities.

Kristin Garrison, Founder, KGA Nonprofit Consulting, LLC

Kristin Garrison is a respected grant consultant with a background in community planning and nonprofit capacity building. She’s widely recognized for demystifying the grant process for emerging nonprofits, training staff, and securing sustainable funding streams. Her leadership style is patient, clear, and grounded in rigorous attention to detail.

‍Nonprofit Enthusiast, LLC

What they do:
Nonprofit Enthusiast, LLC delivers capacity-building support, grant writing, board development, and leadership coaching tailored to new and early-stage nonprofits.

Who they work with:
Startups and grassroots organizations, often led by community advocates and emerging nonprofit founders.

Operating model:
Flexible virtual coaching, workshops, and done-for-you grant services, with a strong emphasis on empowering underserved leaders.

💡 Why they stand out:

• 🧩 Breaks down complex processes for first-time founders with step-by-step toolkits.
  
  
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Active community, Nonprofit Enthusiast runs a popular online network for peer learning.
  
  
• ✍️ Hands-on grant coaching that pairs emerging nonprofits with seasoned writers.

Lasheena Williams, Founder & Chief Enthusiast Officer of Nonprofit Enthusiast, LLC

Lasheena Williams is an educator-turned-nonprofit strategist who has built a national reputation for demystifying nonprofit operations. She’s known for her accessible workshops and deep community ties, empowering small teams to access funding and stay compliant. Lasheena’s style is approachable, practical, and rooted in real-life experience as a founder herself.

Schonfield Consulting

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What they do:
Schonfield Consulting supports nonprofits and foundations through strategic planning, philanthropic advising, and evaluation services.

Who they work with:
Arts and culture orgs, Indigenous groups, funder collaboratives, and place-based philanthropic networks.

Operating model:
Uses a participatory, equity-centered approach to co-design strategies with clients and stakeholders.

💡 Why they stand out:

• 🧭 Deep experience with Indigenous and cultural nonprofits.
  
  
• 🎨 Known for inclusive facilitation that amplifies community voice.
  
  
• 📈 Combines strategic planning with robust evaluation so clients track real outcomes.

Anne Schonfield, Founder & Principal of Schonfield Consulting

Anne Schonfield has spent over 25 years guiding nonprofits and funders through strategic pivots and impact measurement. Her reputation is built on deep listening and frameworks that put community input at the center. She’s especially respected for her work with rural and Indigenous organizations, helping them access funding while preserving local leadership.

Keller Consulting LLC

What they do:
Keller Consulting LLC provides development strategy, capital campaign management, and interim executive leadership for nonprofits ready to scale.

Who they work with:
Healthcare nonprofits, educational institutions, faith-based orgs, and foundations across the USA.

Operating model:
Combines fractional executive roles with robust campaign planning especially for organizations needing short-term leadership continuity.

💡 Why they stand out:

• 🏗️ Specializes in large capital campaigns that exceed seven figures.
  
  
• 🧩 Interim CEO/CFO services to stabilize leadership during transitions.
  
  
• 🧑‍💼 Founder Judy Keller’s national fundraising network opens doors for clients.

Judy Keller, Founder & President of Keller Consulting LLC

Judy Keller is a seasoned nonprofit executive known for reviving stalled campaigns and guiding major expansions. With decades in C-suite fundraising and board leadership, Judy is trusted for her honest assessments and decisive action. Her calm, solutions-first style has helped clients weather leadership turnover without losing momentum.

Prosper Strategies

What they do:
Prosper Strategies is a well-known nonprofit marketing and communications firm, specializing in brand strategy, stakeholder research, and mission-aligned messaging.

Who they work with:
Mid-sized to large nonprofits in health, education, and social justice, especially those undergoing rebranding or major campaign launches.

Operating model:
Combines data-driven audience research with strategic communications rollouts, workshops, and coaching for leadership teams.

💡 Why they stand out:

• 🔍 Evidence-based messaging frameworks that align board and staff voices.
  
  
• 💬 Helps organizations navigate sensitive brand pivots.
  
  
• 📢 Deep expertise in stakeholder engagement across complex ecosystems.

Lindsay Mullen, Co-Founder & Principal of Prosper Strategies

Lindsay Mullen co-founded Prosper Strategies to bridge the gap between nonprofit missions and clear, compelling messaging. She’s recognized for practical, research-backed frameworks that unify diverse stakeholders. Lindsay is known for challenging assumptions and championing brands that balance authenticity with bold calls to action.

Creative Nonprofit Business Consultants

What they do:
This boutique consultancy provides operational audits, succession planning, and board governance training for small nonprofits in creative industries and community development.

Who they work with:
Art councils, grassroots collectives, community theaters, and niche community development groups.

Operating model:
Highly hands-on, with in-person retreats and detailed action plans for governance improvement.

💡 Why they stand out:

• 🧩 Known for creative governance models that suit non-traditional boards.
  
  
• 📚 Runs leadership bootcamps to upskill future nonprofit directors.
  
  
• 🧑‍🎨 Special focus on arts collectives with tight budgets and big community ambitions.

Cheryl Ellis-Taylor, Owner of Creative Nonprofit Business Consultants

Cheryl Ellis-Taylor has spent over 30 years mentoring arts and grassroots leaders to build financially viable and creatively vibrant nonprofits. She’s known for her straightforward advice, operational rigor, and personal passion for keeping community arts alive. Cheryl’s signature strength is practical board training that sticks.

PENN Creative Strategy

What they do:
PENN Creative Strategy specializes in adaptive strategy development, DEI consulting, and executive coaching for nonprofits facing complex growth or culture shifts.

Who they work with:
Foundations, social justice orgs, national advocacy groups, and large cultural institutions.

Operating model:
Deep-dive workshops and long-term partnerships, with a focus on building in-house strategic capacity.

💡 Why they stand out:

• 🧩 Pioneers in blending adaptive strategy and DEI frameworks.
  
  
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Emphasizes co-creation with staff and communities.
  
  
• 📈 Trusted by major foundations to navigate sensitive mission pivots.

Molly Penn, Founder & President of PENN Creative Strategy

Molly Penn is a recognized thought leader in the nonprofit strategy space, known for helping large organizations navigate rapid change. She has an MA and MBA and brings 20+ years of consulting experience across policy, advocacy, and culture-focused nonprofits. Molly’s leadership style is collaborative, direct, and rooted in inclusive strategy design.

Why Choosing the Right Nonprofit Consultant Goes Beyond Credentials

Choosing the right nonprofit consultant is not just about credentials, it’s about values alignment, measurable frameworks, and leadership you can trust. Each agency and founder above brings verified expertise and real results to mission-driven work across the USA. A nonprofit consultant should not only understand your organization’s vision but also provide the actionable strategies that empower your team to deliver impactful, sustainable outcomes. By working with the right consultant, you position your organization to maximize its impact and align more deeply with the values that drive your mission.

At Digital Reference, we are committed to embracing radical authenticity, a core principle that ensures each of our curated resources is rooted in transparency, integrity, and real-world results. This means every recommendation is based on an honest, values-driven approach that supports long-term success for your nonprofit endeavors.

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For organizations looking to further enhance their mission-driven efforts, explore more actionable insights with Digital Reference.‍