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The premier training for nonprofit consultants is returning to New York on May 22 & 23, 2024.

Since 2011 we’ve trained over 170 professionals, preparing them to build a strong business as a general consultant or specialist in strategic planning, fundraising, grant writing, measurement, marketing & communications, diversity, finance, training, and more.

Nonprofit Consultants Institute logo

May 22 + 23, 2024

Coro New York Leadership Center
42 Broadway, Suite 2001
New York, NY 10004

$945 includes One Page Business Plan, One Year Membership, Two Days of Extensive & Practical In-Person Training
(10% Discount for Current Members)

The Institute is the right training for you if you are…

  1. Launching a consulting practice for nonprofits
  2. An established consultant who wants to build your business
  3. Ready to enhance your business skills and connect with a peer network
  4. A student of nonprofit management considering consulting as your professional focus
  5. Working at an institution that provides management support to nonprofits

Whether you’re launching a new consulting business or looking to grow an existing practice, your career as a nonprofit consultant takes off here!

The Nonprofit Consultants Institute is your unique place to explore the options, create your plan and set goals while building a support system of fellow consultants. In just 2 days you will get the tools, tricks and tips that will give you the edge to succeed.

Questions?

Email us for more information: info@npspecialists.org

“The Institute gave me the foundational knowledge, motivation and inspiration to formally develop my business.”

The Nonprofit Consultants Institute is an intensive 2-day workshop that prepares you for success. It’s the only program of its kind – combining education, inspiration and connection – especially designed for nonprofit consultants and future consultants.

Create your own personalized business plan

The Institute format includes the practical information we are known, great connections, and time for personal exploration. What you’ll walk away with is a fully integrated One Page Business Plan.

You’ll leave with your plan laid out and ready to implement. We’ve borrowed from the tech startups and incorporated the Lean Canvas model to be sure you are ready for launch.

Whether you’re just starting out or been at for a while, you will leave informed, inspired, and prepared to grow a strong, profitable business as a nonprofit consultant.

“Given the feedback you gave me along with the invaluable information that was presented, I have made the leap to formally start my own practice.”

We walk through 8 Steps covering every aspect of your business:

  1. What is the problem you will solve?
    What is the problem that you will solve? Why would a nonprofit need to hire you? We’ll explore the world of possibility for you as we look at trends, types of consultants, roles and opportunities.
  2. Who are your clients?
    Who will hire you? What is the size of the organizations, the mission, the location? What is the profile of your target customer? Discover opportunities as you begin to profile your ideal customer.
  3. What is your Unique Value?
    What is your value, expertise, and approach? How will they impact what you offer or how you offer it? This interactive exploration will lead you to positioning yourself for success as you create a clear, compelling UVP that is uniquely you!
  4. How will you reach clients?
    How will you reach your customer? How will you communicate with potential clients and build a reputation? Learn how to market yourself to build a steady flow of work.
  5. What is your solution?
    What are your top three selling points? What makes you stand out from the crowd? Explore how you can differentiate yourself as you identify your target market.Bonus! You’ll have a one-on-one marketing session to hone your message.
  6. How much will you make?
    Who will pay and how will you earn revenue? Learn about standard fees, how to price your services, as well as additional revenue sources for consultants.
  7. What are your expenses?
    What is the cost of doing business? Calculate a realistic income based on revenue, initial investment, and ongoing costs. Bonus! A CPA will present Accounting & Tax Challenges for Business Consultants and answer your questions about entity selection, record keeping, and tax planning.
  8. How will you measure success?
    What key functions will I perform for each client engagement? Explore contracting and proposal writing. Get samples and learn how to make sure your work is both rewarding and rewarded.

You’ll take part in group exercises to hone your skills and discover your potential. Plus you’ll have access to the seasoned professionals who present the Institute to you.

“It was perfect. I feel I now have all the tools to develop and grow my business.”

“No question, learning from your examples has enabled me to both get and renew work with organizations who are always super impressed that I’m ‘so organized.’ Ha!! Little do they know, I learned it from the best.”

You’ll learn from, and interact with, several of the New York region’s leading consultants in the nonprofit sector. They know the nuts and bolts and they also have years of practical experience. Frank Abdale, Maria Badali and Merle Benny have all served on the Association of Nonprofit Specialists board, and have more than 80 years’ experience combined as executives and consultants in the nonprofit sector.

“The generous spirit upon which you all gave of yourselves (including personal experiences and samples) is what most impacted me on top of the nuts and bolts information shared. You certainly role modeled cooperation as the way to advance — and not to view each other as competitors. I am in a more powerful place because of the workshop and all of you. You all certainly walked the talk of the tag line “We’re here to lift you up.”

Meet the Presenters

The Nonprofit Consultants Institute is developed and presented by Frank Abdale, Maria Badali, and Merle Benny.

Frank Abdale

Frank Abdale

Strategist, facilitator, teacher, leader, and author. A former Executive Director, Frank works with organizations to develop successful strategies for sustainability through strategic planning, succession planning, and board development. Frank is a BoardSource™ Certified Governance Trainer and a Senior Associate Consultant with the Support Center for Nonprofit Management. He is the former chair of the Association of Nonprofit Specialists. His publications include “Practical Abundance: A Comprehensive Guide to Fundraising and Development for Nonprofits” which he used for the course “Fundraising Concepts and Practices” at NYU’s School of Continuing Education & Professional Studies. Frank is the founder and chief consultant of Abdale Consulting. Frank readily shares his secrets at the Institute, you may hear him say “there’s no such thing as competition.”

Maria Badali

Maria Badali

Multidisciplinary and multicultural, Maria brings a unique perspective to the nonprofit sector. She is an accomplished management consultant, facilitator, and executive coach. As the Principal and Lead Consultant at Arkle Consulting Group, she specializes in change management, strategic planning, and organizational, team & leadership effectiveness. She works with organizations from the nonprofit, private, and public sectors to identify and address their critical challenges. She is a long time board member of the Association of Nonprofit Specialists, currently serving as Secretary. Maria excels as a facilitator, consultant, and executive coach. She is appreciated for her technical skills as well as her ability to connect with diverse audiences with authenticity and heart, she brings these skills to the Institute.

Merle Benny

Merle Benny

Training, marketing, and nonprofits. They are the golden threads that run through Merle’s career from New York City, to New Jersey, to St Petersburg Florida. She has launched, relaunched, and boosted 100s of nonprofits. As a strategist, copywriter, and mentor, Merle’s work has included print and online marketing, videos, speeches, advertising, and fundraising. The author of Leader @ the Center™ she inspires nonprofits to develop leadership at every level, enabling all employees to communicate, connect, & convene to grow their organizations. Merle, founder of Nonprofit Champion, speaks on nonprofit leadership, vision, and storytelling. She enthusiastically shares her knowledge, experience, and insights with other consultants at the Institute.

“The Institute has had (and will have) a huge impact on me and the next part of my career… I really appreciate receiving the practical tools, strategies and exposure to resources. Thank You!!”

“The Institute taught me how to be a good “boss” to myself – one who is principled, sets clear expectations, maximizes my efficiency, pushes me to network and collaborate – always reminding me that quality of life is the reason I’m doing this.”

“The Institute was enormously helpful to me in learning how to market myself, negotiate contracts, and network with other consultants who help me in my area of expertise.”

“I have been busy working with clients since I completed the Institute, and I have not had any “down time”!

“If I could go back in time to improve my career, the one thing I’d differently is attend the institute much sooner.”