Our Services
Our #1 goal at Lotus Consulting is to ensure that when our engagement in complete, you feel confident, supported and clear on how to move forward.
Whether it is a multi-million-dollar Capital Campaign, creating a winning Development Strategy for the coming year, or training your Board to “make the ask,” we are here for you. Our team will take the time to get to know what you need, hone in on where you feel stuck and reveal where you are strong. Working together we will create an exciting, aspirational path forward. The results? You hit - and exceed - your fundraising goals.
Strategy, Evaluation and Planning
Feasibility Studies - This is the first stage of any major fundraising campaign and will provide essential answers about the strength of your Case, the depth of your donor pool, organizational readiness and how much money is feasible for your organization to raise. It is a critical first step in any successful campaign.
Development Assessments and Plans - Are you looking to raise more money over the next few years? Our team can perform an in-depth assessment to uncover opportunities and gaps and create a winning plan for the future.
Comprehensive Campaign Planning - Any great campaign includes a thoughtful, focused plan. Drawing from your feasibility study and market analysis, we can create a winning plan to guide your volunteers and staff to success.
Individual and Institutional Prospect Research - Our research team can surface new donor prospects and help you develop a deeper understanding of what can motivate your current supporters. This is valuable at every stage of your campaign.
Case for Support Development - A well-crafted Case for Support enables an organization and its leaders to communicate effectively with donors and prospects and inspire giving. Our skilled team of writers can uncover the messages that matter and that can guide your fundraising communications.
Grants Development - Do you need to build your institutional funding pipeline? The Lotus team can conduct in-depth research to surface new funding opportunities and help focus your narrative to attract and deepen support from foundations.
On Demand Fundraising Coaching
Our team of experts can provide ongoing coaching to your fundraising leadership to help them succeed at their role in generating resources for your organization. Often having a thought-partner and coach each step of the way can be the key ingredient to hitting your goals. This service can be invaluable for new leaders taking on a greater fundraising role and for those veterans who want a fresh way to look at their programs.
Melissa and I consulted on feasibility studies and capital campaigns, and serve on the AFP Golden Gate Board together. Melissa is an excellent strategist and communicator. I was always impressed with her creative and innovative strategies and her ability to effectively communicate complex ideas. Working alongside her strengthened my skills as a consultant.
I had the privilege to work closely with Melissa over the last 7 years and can attest to her excellent skills as a consultant and business leader. She played a critical role as our Senior Managing Associate at PRG and led fundraising projects large and small with grace and efficiency. I would highly recommend her for your next fundraising adventure whether it be preparing for a large capital initiative or training your board and team for effective solicitations, or anything in between. She will be a key to your success.
Melissa Irish has been a reliable partner for CVNL over many years. As faculty for CVNL’s Excellence in Leadership Program, Melissa consistently delivers quality content to nonprofit leaders building their strategic fundraising abilities. She is an engaging and responsive facilitator who always focuses on learner needs and different learning styles so that participants feel ready to apply what they’ve learned. The experience and expertise Melissa shares is invaluable to CVNL and our nonprofit community.
We had the opportunity to work with Melissa during a campaign feasibility study for our organization. Our team greatly valued her leadership, professionalism, and ability to keep everyone on task. We left every meeting with a sense of direction and clarity on the next steps. In addition, we received very positive feedback from our stakeholders who participated in the study. We hope to continue working with her in the future!
Melissa did am amazing job conducting a feasibility study for my organization (Community Land Trust of West Marin). I was impressed with her extensive knowledge, experience, and skill in not only conducting the study, but in helping us clarify our goals and vision, and listening to all of the different perspectives that members of our team brought to the project. Melissa was a pleasure to work with, and was always responsive to our questions, concerns and shifts in our project timeline.
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It has been our great honor to serve hundreds of nonprofits nation-wide develop the capacity and resources needed to serve their mission and make a difference.