Nonprofits

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.

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.