Being amazing at fundraising doesn't automatically mean you should take the leap to consulting. Just like being great at major gifts doesn't mean you want to plan a rubber-chicken gala, not ever consulting model is the right fit for you.
Before you trade your employee handbook for a business license, take this 3-minute free quiz to discover which path will have you building the consulting business of your dreams - not just recreating your current job with extra paperwork.
Cut out for Consulting?
Let's Find Your Perfect Path
You're done with:
Being asked to "write a letter to Oprah" while your expertise gets ignored
Working way more than you're paid for (hello evenings and weekends and “other duties as assigned”)
Watching another great idea die in committee because "we've always done it this way"
Being told to be grateful for below-market compensation because “the mission”
If you're going to ditch your job to be a consultant, you better be damn sure you’re on the right path that will lead to stable six-figure income and true flexibility - not constant hustle and unpredictable revenue.
Choosing the wrong path could leave you:
Playing "Find the Client" like it's a really bad game show - complete with cold emails that get ghosted and LinkedIn messages that scream "desperate"
Somehow working MORE hours than your old 60-hour nonprofit week while watching your dreams of "consultant life" transform into "chaos life with extra spreadsheets"
Riding the feast-or-famine rollercoaster where December has you feeling like a consultant rockstar... until January hits and your bank account does its best impression of a nonprofit budget (read: empty)
Creating an accidentally perfect recreation of your old job - except now you're also your own IT department, marketing team, and bookkeeper (because apparently "other duties as assigned" follows you into self-employment)
Exactly which consulting model fits your superpower sweet spot (because "general nonprofit consultant who does everything" is not a business plan, it's a recipe for burnout 2.0)
How to avoid the expensive rookie mistakes that make consultants cry into their coffee, lose potential clients, and wish they were back in-house
Your personalized roadmap to consistently earn more than your in-house salary (without cold-calling, writing awkward "pick your brain" emails, or lying awake at 3am wondering if you'll ever find another client)
In just 9 questions, you’ll discover
Meet Your Guide
Cindy Wagman started out as the only fundraiser at a small women's shelter (where yes, she had to write that letter to Oprah), and now has helped over 100 fundraisers build successful consulting businesses. She's passionate about helping experienced fundraisers like you finally break free from the nonprofit hustle without sacrificing your impact.
She developed this quiz to ensure you follow the right path for you so you can stop second-guessing your consulting dreams. Take the quiz now and Cindy will help you discover which consulting model actually matches your strengths so you can build a business that gives you both the freedom and income you deserve.
