MW Strategies LLC

What types of missions do you support?

We primarily partner with nonprofits in the arts, humanities, cultural, creative, social 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.

What is fractional fundraising?

Fractional fundraising is like having a Chief Development Officer (fCDO) or Chief Operating Officer (fCOO) 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!

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 fundraising needs. Popular project options include campaign planning and support, grant readiness assessments, fundraising audits, and communications revamps. Project-based work is ideal for organizations needing intensive expertise for a defined period or looking to test-drive our partnership before committing to ongoing services. These projects typically range from one to six months, depending on scope and complexity.

Who is your ideal client?

We thrive working with established U.S. nonprofits that have (or have recently completed) strategic plans, are thoughtful about personnel transitions, and remain curious about trying new approaches. Our sweet spot is organizations with 0-5 full-time staff members and annual budgets of $450,000 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: campaign planning, grant writing, major gift strategies, annual appeals, donor stewardship, board development, grant readiness, 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.

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, campaign 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.

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!