1) When should your congregation use an outside fund raising consultant?

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• For a special campaign - capital/endowment/debt retirement, etc. 
• To help launch a new development program - deferred giving.
• To asses the viability of the synagogue fund-raising capacity - Feasibility Study or Campaign Plan Development



2) How does your synagogue leadership go about selecting the right fund raising consultant?

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Review source of names from:

• References from the National & Regional service offices
• Other corporation recommedations in your area
• Your local professional fund-raising network/association

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Several types of consults firms to choose from:

• General counsel and advice
• Full service firm: large or small

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How to decide who to choose:

• What kind of experience and expertise do you need?
• Good "shiduch" between the consultant and the organizational culture.
• Is the individual flexible and available when needed?
• How does he related to your board, rabbi, and staff?

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Cost of consulation:

• Based on time it takes to do the job & degree of expertise
• Code of Ethics: The National Society of Fund-raising Executives frowns on percentage fees.



Narrowing the field:

• Do not try to get the consultant to define what you need
• Define your own objectives clearly
• Conduct personal interviews before requesting proposals



3. How can the synagogue leadership best work with a consultant?

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What a consultant can do for your synagogue campaign:

• Give experienced fund-raising guidance and direction.
• Develop specific strategies.
• Help motivate and train your lay leaders.
• Can tell the Board that the professional staff cannot.
• Can lend experience and objectively to the fund-raising process.



What a consultant cannot do:

• Cannot create a synagogue mission where there is none. 
• Cannot bring a list of contacts and donors.
• Cannot fill the role that the Board is supposed to fill; can never solicit as effectively as the Board members.



The synagogue's responsibility:

• To be totally candid, open, and honest in the entire process.
• Offer the cooperation of the Board, the Rabbi, and the staff.
• Take the project seriously.
• Be available to the consultant.
• Meet deadlines and provide the information required.
• Have a clear understanding of roles and assignments.



4. How do you evaluate the work of a consultant?

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Did you accomplish what you set out to do?

• Were fund-raising goals met?
• Did your consultant live up to the terms of the contract and was the work accomplished in an efficient manner?
• Did the consultant work well with the Board, the Rabbi, and staff?
• Would you rehire this person for another synagogue campaign?