Armstrong McGuire works exclusively with nonprofit organizations and philanthropic foundations from small community-based nonprofits to large, national or international organizations. Our clients span a wide range of mission areas including education, food security, housing, faith, health, arts and culture and animals and environment. Whether you're a mature organization navigating complex growth or a young nonprofit just getting started, we have the experience and perspective to walk alongside you.

If your organization is facing a leadership transition, looking to expand your team, struggling to grow your fundraising, or feeling uncertain about your strategic direction — you're ready. You don't need to have everything figured out before reaching out. In fact, the earlier you engage a consulting partner, the better positioned you are to navigate challenges proactively rather than reactively. If you're asking the question, that's usually a good sign it's time to have a conversation.

Every engagement starts with listening. We take time to understand your organization's history, culture, goals, and challenges before recommending a path forward. From there, we tailor our approach — whether that's an executive search, an interim leader, a capital campaign readiness assessment, strategic planning or leadership coaching, we work as a true partner alongside your team. Once we connect, we consider you part of the family and after our first meeting, we think you will feel the same.

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It depends on the scope of work. A search typically runs three to six months, depending on the position. A campaign readiness assessment takes 4-5 months. Strategic planning can take 6-12 months. Ongoing counsel and coaching relationships can span a year or more. We scope each engagement based on your organization's specific needs and timeline and we're always transparent about what to expect from the start.

Yes! While Armstrong McGuire is headquartered in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina, we work with nonprofit and philanthropic organizations across the country. Our team has supported clients in communities from coast to coast and we are well-equipped to engage remotely or travel as the work requires.

Our fees vary based on the scope and nature of the engagement. Most projects are structured as flat project fees with payments spread in equal, monthly installments over the life of the project. Over two decades, we have learned that this structure is easiest for most nonprofits to manage within their budgets and cashflows. We are always transparent about our pricing upfront so there are no surprises — and every engagement begins with a clear scope of work so you know exactly what you're getting and what it costs.

We work with organizations of varying sizes and budgets, and we understand that smaller nonprofits often have the greatest need but the tightest resources. We do our best to scope engagements in a way that delivers real value at a level that's accessible and actionable. If a full engagement isn't the right fit right now, we can also point you toward our training programs, events and resources that can help you build capacity. We'd rather have a conversation and find the right fit than have cost be a barrier to getting you support.

Absolutely! Legacy gifts are impactful for both the giver and the organization that benefits. We help you design and launch a program that matches your culture, your audience, and your opportunity.

Yes! If your development leadership is in transition, we provide an interim development manager who will keep your development program moving forward. And, as we are helping you execute your strategy, we will offer suggestions to enhance your processes, donor relations and systems. In other words, we don't just fill the gap, we leave you stronger.

Simply reach out. You can contact us through our website and a member of our team will be in touch to schedule an initial conversation. That first call is about getting to know you and your organization — there's no pressure and no obligation. We'll listen, ask good questions and together we'll figure out whether and how we can help. We've found that the best partnerships start with an honest conversation.

We meet you where you are. Whether you're building a development program from scratch or looking to strengthen an existing one, our team works with you to assess your current fundraising efforts, identify gaps and create a strategy aligned with your mission and goals. From donor cultivation and major gifts to annual fund strategy and campaign planning, we provide both the expertise and the hands-on support to help your organization raise more, sustainably.

A feasibility study is a confidential assessment that helps determine whether your organization has the donor relationships, leadership capacity and community support needed to successfully complete a capital campaign. We conduct interviews with key stakeholders, analyze your donor base, and deliver an honest assessment of your readiness — including a recommended goal range. While not every campaign requires a formal feasibility study, we strongly recommend one before making a major public commitment. It protects your organization and sets your campaign up for success from day one.

You start with relationships. Major gifts are built on trust and genuine connection — not just a strong ask. Armstrong McGuire helps you identify prospects already in your network, equip your leadership and board to have meaningful donor conversations, and build the systems and culture needed to sustain a major gifts program long term. We'll help you take the first steps with confidence, even if this is entirely new territory for your team.

Over-reliance on a single funder — whether that's a government grant, a foundation or one major donor — is one of the most common and most urgent vulnerabilities we see in nonprofits. We help organizations map their current funding landscape, identify diversification opportunities, and build a more balanced and resilient revenue strategy. This isn't a quick fix, but with the right plan and consistent execution, it's absolutely achievable.

An executive search is a deliberate process to find and hire your next permanent leader. Interim leadership is a bridge — a seasoned leader who steps in to keep the organization stable and moving while you figure out what's next. Sometimes you need one, sometimes the other, and sometimes both in sequence. If you're in or approaching a leadership transition, we'll help you think through the right approach before you commit to a path.

It's thorough and relationship-driven. We start by getting clear on what your organization actually needs in its next leader — not just the job description, but the leadership qualities, culture fit, and strategic priorities that matter most. From there we build a candidate pool through active outreach and our deep sector network, guide you through a structured interview and assessment process, and stay engaged through the offer and transition. We don't hand you a stack of resumes and disappear.

Thoughtfully and early — ideally before it's urgent. Succession planning isn't just about identifying a next executive director; it's about building the leadership depth and organizational resilience to handle transitions well. We work with boards and leadership teams to assess internal readiness, identify development opportunities, and create a plan that protects the mission regardless of what happens to any one person.

Absolutely — and this is often where the highest-leverage work happens. We offer board retreats, staff leadership development, and team-based learning experiences designed to strengthen the leadership already inside your organization. Building from within isn't just cost-effective; it's one of the best investments a nonprofit can make in its long-term health and culture.

Yes! If your development leadership is in transition, we provide an interim development manager who will keep your development program moving forward. And, as we are helping you execute your strategy, we will offer suggestions to enhance your processes, donor relations, and systems. In other words, we don't just fill the gap, we leave you stronger.

We start by creating space — for your leadership team, your board, and sometimes key stakeholders — to think clearly and honestly about where the organization is and where it needs to go. Our process is facilitated, grounded in data, and designed to produce a plan that's actually usable, not one that sits on a shelf. We build in the right amount of challenge so the conversation is productive, and the right amount of structure so it results in clear priorities and ownership.

An organizational assessment is a structured look at how your organization is functioning — leadership, operations, culture, systems, and capacity. It's the right move when something feels off but you can't quite name it, when you're preparing for a major transition or growth phase, or when you want an honest outside perspective before making significant decisions. We assess what's working, what isn't, and what the path forward looks like — and we deliver those findings in a way your team can actually act on.

Yes. Mergers and strategic collaborations are complex — organizationally, relationally, and emotionally. We help you think through the decision itself, structure the process, facilitate the hard conversations, and navigate the integration work that follows. Whether you're exploring the idea or already in serious discussions, we bring both the experience and the objectivity to help you move forward wisely.

With an honest conversation about what's actually happening. Rapid growth often outpaces the systems, structures, and culture that got you there — and that gap creates friction. We help you diagnose where the misalignment lives and build a plan to address it, whether that means restructuring teams, clarifying roles, strengthening your operating model, or all of the above.

Our programs are built for nonprofit leaders at all stages — from emerging managers stepping into their first leadership role to seasoned executive directors preparing for what's next. If you're serious about your growth in the sector, there's a program designed for where you are right now.

It depends on where you are and where you are heading. If you are in or building toward an executive role, a mastermind cohort is a strong fit. If you want to strengthen your mindset and manage stress more effectively, Positive Intelligence is the entry point. If you are an experienced leader looking for an opportunity to help an organization in transition, the Interim Management Institute is purpose-built for that path. Perhaps you an executive director looking to strengthen your fundraising skills in partnership will your development director: checkout Leadership Gifts School. Or if you have an early career fundraiser on your team, take a look at Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy. Still not sure — reach out. We'll have a short conversation and point you in the right direction.

It varies. The Positive Intelligence program runs six weeks with short daily practices. Mastermind, Interim Management Institute, and Leadership Gifts School cohorts typically involve monthly group sessions plus some preparation. We design everything to be high-impact and realistic — we know your calendar is already full and we're not asking you to clear it.

It depends on the program. Some are fully virtual to accommodate leaders across the country. Others include in-person sessions, retreats, or gatherings. Each program listing includes specifics on format and schedule so you know what you're committing to before you sign up.

Yes, intentionally. Cohort composition matters to us. We curate groups so you're working alongside peers navigating similar challenges — not in a room where you feel out of place or unchallenged. The peer relationships that come out of these programs are consistently one of the most valuable outcomes participants describe.

Absolutely — and for many leaders, a transition is exactly the right moment to make this kind of investment. Our programs can help you clarify your direction, sharpen how you present yourself, and build the connections that support your next chapter.

Not necessarily. Many participants fund their own development, and some are covered by their organizations. If you need help making the case to your board or executive director, we can give you the language and framing to do that.

Each program has its own fee structure, which is clearly outlined in the program listing. Some are flat enrollment fees, others are structured across the program timeline. We're always transparent about what's included — there are no surprises once you register.

Find the program that fits your goals and apply or register directly. Still not sure?We'll help you find the right fit. That first conversation is about understanding where you are and where you're headed — no pressure, no obligation.