Purpose Meets Practice
Building a Sustainable Consulting Path in the Nonprofit Sector
Starting a nonprofit consulting practice often feels like standing at the edge of something meaningful—and uncertain.
You know you have skills, experience, and a desire to make an impact.
You may already be doing consulting work.
And yet questions keep circling:
What am I really offering?
Who is this for?
How do I market myself without feeling salesy—or scattered?
How do I build a consulting practice that’s values-aligned and financially sustainable?
If you’re tired of figuring it out alone, the Nonprofit Consultant Learning Lab, a 4-week cohort for newer nonprofit consultants is designed for you.
Offered in partnership with Nonprofit.ist, the premier community for nonprofit consultants.
Why The Nonprofit Consultant Learning Lab Exists
The early years of nonprofit consulting are uniquely challenging. Most guidance about consulting is built for the private sector, not for mission-driven work rooted in relationships, trust, and shared values.
Without a clear foundation, many new consultants carry over unhelpful habits from their nonprofit career.
They frequently:
Undervalue their time or overgive to clients
Struggle to articulate a niche or value proposition
Operate with an employee mindset rather than a CEO mindset
Feel isolated, unsure, or stuck repeating the same early-stage mistakes
The Nonprofit Consultant Learning Lab offers a different path.
One grounded in clarity, community, and practical action—so you can build a consulting practice that reflects who you are and where you want to go.
Who is this for?
The Nonprofit Consultant Learning Lab is designed for:
New or emerging nonprofit consultants
(considering consulting or within your first 5 years)Solopreneurs or small consultancies earning under $100,000 annually
People who want structure and guidance without losing their values
If you’re ready to stop improvising and start building intentionally, you’ll be in the right room.
What You’ll Gain
By the end of this 4-week experience, you will have:
✨ Greater Clarity
A clearer consulting purpose and “why”
A more defined audience and niche
A stronger, more specific service offering
✨ More Confidence
Language to describe your work with greater ease
A better understanding of pricing, positioning, and value
Increased comfort with marketing and business development
✨ Access to Practical Tools
Frameworks for marketing, client relationships, and boundaries
Simple systems to support sustainability (not burnout)
Assignments designed for immediate real-world application
✨ Connections & Community
Peer learning with others at a similar stage
Small-group discussions and case sharing
Hot-seat coaching for real challenges you’re navigating right now
The Structure
The Nonprofit Consultant Learning Lab
4 weeks | Virtual | Small-group cohort
Weekly 90-minute live sessions
Each session includes:
15–20 minutes of focused teaching
Guided peer discussion and/or Hot-seat coaching opportunities
Practical assignments to apply right away
Topics include:
→ Clarifying your niche and offer
→ Marketing in a relationship-driven sector
→ Client boundaries and money mindset
→ Building systems for long-term sustainability
This is not a passive course. It’s a working container.
The Framework You’ll Learn
At the heart of the cohort is a simple, practical framework for sustainable consulting:
The 3 Cs of Consulting with Clarity
Clarity
Know your purpose, audience, and offer—so you’re not saying yes to everything.
Credibility
Build trust through storytelling, results, and consistent visibility—without becoming performative or exhausting yourself.
Consistency
Create systems that sustain you: pricing, boundaries, marketing habits, and basic business infrastructure.
Throughout the cohort, you’ll map where you’re already strong—and where focused development will make the biggest difference.
Pricing
Early Bird
Nonprofit.ist member
$699
Nonprofit.ist nonmember
$849*
Regular
Nonprofit.ist member
$749
Nonprofit.ist nonmember
$899*
*Includes 1 year of Nonprofit.ist membership ($199 value).
Benefits of Nonprofit.ist membership include:
Expand Your Network: Connect with diverse professionals for collaboration and support
Boost Your Expertise: Access specialized training and resources to stay ahead in the industry
Increase Your Visibility: Get listed in our public directory, attracting more nonprofit clients.
Grow Your Business: Gain access to consulting opportunities and RFPs, and a consultant circle to share knowledge and build skills.
Save on Expenses: Enjoy member discounts on events and services.
Why Learn with Us
This cohort –offered in collaboration with Nonprofit.ist - is created by two experienced nonprofit consultants and business coaches who understand:
The realities of mission-driven work
The relational nature of nonprofit consulting
The equity implications of who does—and doesn’t—get to build sustainable consulting businesses
Our approach combines tested business tools with facilitative, community-based learning so you can integrate insights as you go—not months later.
Meet Your Facilitators
-
Carol Hamilton
Principal at Grace Social Sector Consulting, LLC, and host of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol helps nonprofit organizations become more strategic and aligned for greater mission impact.
She facilitates inclusive strategic planning, program evaluation design and organizational assessments. Over the past eight years, she has built a sustainable consulting practice working with a variety of nonprofits and associations.
-
Danielle Marshall
Executive coach, strategist, and founder of Culture Principles, a consulting and coaching firm that helps mission-driven leaders, small business owners, and consultants align their purpose with practical action.
With over 20 years of nonprofit experience and a background in organizational psychology, Danielle brings a human-centered approach to coaching and leadership development. She helps clients navigate complexity with intention, build sustainable practices, and lead in ways that create meaningful, lasting impact.
Ready to Join the Next Cohort?
If you’re ready to move from figuring it out alone to building a consulting practice with clarity, intention, and support—we invite you to apply.
Space is limited to preserve conversation, coaching, and connection.