MW Strategies LLC

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Services & Expertise

What is fractional fundraising?

Fractional fundraising is like having a Chief Development Officer (fCDO), Chief Operating Officer (fCOO), or Chief Advancement Officer (fCAO) on your team without the full-time salary and benefits package. You get experienced leadership and hands-on support for a fraction of the cost. We bring over 20 years of frontline fundraising expertise to your organization, integrating with your team through regular meetings and ongoing communication. This approach can be a long-term strategic partnership or project-based, depending on your needs. It's perfect for smaller organizations or any organization going through transitions, ramping up campaigns, or needing specialized expertise without committing to a permanent hire. And the best part? You don't have to explain nonprofit quirks to us - we already speak your language!

What types of missions do you support?

We primarily partner with nonprofits in the arts, humanities, creative, social justice, gender justice, and education sectors. Our approach helps organizations that need professional fundraising leadership but aren't ready for a full-time development director, or who need an executive-level boost to their current fundraising resources. Think of us as your fundraising fixers with a special place in our hearts for mission-driven organizations that make creative and social impact.

Who is your ideal client?

We thrive working with established U.S. nonprofits that have (or have recently completed) strategic plans, and are curious about trying fresh approaches to fundraising. We work with organizations across budget sizes: our coaching services support smaller nonprofits building internal fundraising capacity, while our fractional fundraising and HR consulting are best for organizations with budgets of $500,000 or more. For mid-sized and larger organizations, we particularly enjoy collaborating with development or advancement departments and their leaders. We're not a great fit for startups still figuring out their mission - we shine most when helping established organizations magnify their impact through better fundraising.

What aspects of fundraising do you help with?

Our services span the fundraising spectrum: grant writing, major gift strategies, annual appeals, donor stewardship, board development, grant readiness, campaign planning, and communications. We support organizations through staffing transitions, ensuring fundraising momentum continues during leadership changes. Every engagement begins with a thorough assessment to understand your current processes, systems, and opportunities. We tailor our approach to each organization's unique needs, whether you're launching your first major campaign or expanding existing donor relationships. We won't push you toward a one-size-fits-all strategy - we're firm believers that authentic fundraising aligned with your mission yields the best results.

Do you offer project-based work in addition to ongoing services?

Absolutely! While our fractional services provide consistent, relationship-based support, we also offer targeted project work for specific needs. Popular project options include communications support for leadership transitions or urgent messaging needs; website and online fundraising audits to optimize your donation process; database setup and essential fundraising operations for smaller organizations getting systems in place; and HR consulting for organizations building or restructuring development teams. We also offer Expert Office Hours for flexible, on-demand consultation when you need guidance without ongoing support. Project-based work is ideal for organizations that need intensive expertise for a defined period, to address a specific challenge or opportunity, or to explore working together before committing to ongoing services. Many of our project clients discover additional areas where partnership makes sense, and some projects naturally evolve into longer-term relationships. These projects typically range from a few weeks to several months, depending on scope and complexity.

What if we need help but aren't ready for a longer-term commitment?

Expert Office Hours provide flexible 60-minute virtual consultations when challenges or opportunities arise. Perfect for getting unstuck, validating your approach, or working through key decisions about fundraising, management, board governance, or strategic planning. Each session includes a brief pre-meeting questionnaire to maximize our time together, and you'll leave with clear next steps and resources. Choose packages of 4, 8, or 12 sessions (ranging from $180-225 per session, depending on package size) to use within 12 months. Additional sessions are available at $250 each. This works particularly well for organizations needing expert guidance on specific challenges without committing to ongoing support.

How quickly can we get started?

Most engagements begin with a free consultation to ensure we're a good fit for your needs. For Expert Office Hours, you can typically schedule your first session within a week or two. Project-based work and ongoing services usually start within 2-4 weeks after our initial conversation, allowing time for contracts, planning, any necessary state charitable registration approvals, and preparation. We value thoughtful onboarding that sets both of us up for success rather than rushing into engagements that haven't been properly scoped.

What makes a successful consulting partnership?

The ideal relationship feels like a true partnership. Our clients appreciate our direct communication style (we're candid but kind!), responsive availability, and commitment to their mission. We measure success by whether you're raising more money with less stress. You'll know you've made the right choice when you find yourself actually looking forward to our strategy sessions instead of dreading fundraising conversations. We prioritize finding the right fit through initial consultations before any commitment, because life's too short for consulting relationships that don't click.

How do you measure the success of our work together?

We believe in concrete results rather than vague promises. Success looks different for each organization, but we typically track metrics such as year-over-year fundraising growth, donor retention rates, grant application success ratios, and campaign goal achievement. Beyond the numbers, we measure success through increased board engagement, development of sustainable fundraising systems, and your team's growing confidence in fundraising activities. Our ongoing assessment process ensures we're continually evaluating progress and adjusting strategies for maximum impact. The most telling success indicator? When your organization can confidently navigate fundraising challenges with less external support over time.

How do you work together as a team effectively?

As a focused practice with dedicated administrative support, we provide personalized attention without the overhead of a large firm. For remote clients, we've refined a collaborative process combining scheduled video meetings, shared document platforms, and regular check-ins to maintain momentum. For Greater Philadelphia area organizations, we offer in-person sessions—often the perfect excuse to finally try that new café or bakery near your office. While we can travel for project-based work, we've found that a mix of virtual and occasional in-person meetings creates the perfect balance of efficiency and relationship-building. Our approach emphasizes documentation and knowledge transfer so your team develops capacity along the way.

What would a typical week look like with your services?

For fractional fundraising clients, we integrate into your team with regular check-ins and ongoing support. A typical week might include strategy meetings with your leadership team, review of fundraising materials, prospect research, grant writing, fundraising planning, or coaching sessions. All clients receive responsive communication between scheduled meetings. We value thoughtful planning and preparation, helping you develop systems that minimize last-minute crises while still being responsive to legitimate urgent needs when they arise.

What happens during the free consultation?

We'll spend 30-45 minutes discussing your organization's current situation, fundraising goals, and specific challenges or opportunities. This conversation helps us both determine if we're a good match and which service model makes the most sense for your needs. There's no pressure or hard sell - we genuinely want to understand whether we can help you. You'll leave with clarity about next steps, whether that's moving forward together or exploring other options that might serve you better. Think of it as a low-stakes way to see if our working styles align.

Grant Strategies & Resources

How many grants should I apply for and in what cadence?

Grant strategy should be tailored to your organization's capacity, funding needs, and program fit. Rather than pursuing a specific number, focus on identifying opportunities with strong alignment to your mission and building relationships with funders. Develop a grant calendar that spaces applications throughout the year, considering your organization's capacity to both apply for and implement grants. We've seen organizations burn out and waste resources chasing every possible grant—we'll help you be strategic instead of scattered, focusing on quality proposals to funders who actually match your work.

What is grant readiness?

Grant readiness means having the necessary infrastructure, documentation, and capacity to successfully pursue and manage grant funding. Key elements include: clear program descriptions with measurable outcomes, accurate financial records and budgets, current organizational documents (501(c)(3) letter, board roster, strategic plan), capacity to report on results, and systems to track grant funds. Many organizations struggle with these fundamentals—that's where fractional fundraising support shines, helping you build these essential systems while simultaneously pursuing appropriate funding opportunities.

Where do I find grants?

Grant research requires a multi-faceted approach. Start by identifying foundations that fund organizations with similar missions in your geographic area. Utilize resources like Foundation Directory Online, Instrumentl, or GrantStation. Research corporate giving programs connected to businesses in your community. Explore government funding at local, state, and federal levels. Many public libraries offer free access to grant databases. Our services include customized grant research to match your organization with relevant opportunities—because there's nothing worse than spending hours on applications to funders who were never going to fund you in the first place!

Fundraising Good Practices

What are the “no-nos” of fundraising?

Avoid these common fundraising mistakes: pursuing funds that don't align with your mission (no mission drift for dollars!), making exaggerated impact claims, neglecting donor stewardship, treating all donors identically regardless of their interests, implementing sporadic or reactive fundraising efforts, overlooking the importance of data management, and developing proposals without input from program staff. Effective fundraising is ethical, donor-centered, and aligned with your organization's values. And please, for the love of all things nonprofit, stop sending 3-page, text-heavy appeal letters that no one will read—we can help with that!

What is the right cadence for donor communication?

Communication frequency should balance keeping donors informed without overwhelming them. Most organizations benefit from a planned calendar that can include: monthly updates or newsletters, quarterly impact stories, 2-3 appeals annually, prompt gift acknowledgments, and personalized outreach for major donors. The specific cadence depends on your donor ecosystem and capacity. We help clients develop plans that nurture donor relationships appropriately. Remember: your donors don't wake up every morning thinking about your organization (shocking, we know!), so consistent, engaging communication is essential.

Disclaimer: Information provided here is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute specific fundraising or legal advice.

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