The Strategic Value of Interim Fundraising Leadership
Over the past five years, my fundraising consulting practice has increasingly focused on providing interim development leadership for clients navigating periods of transition. Organizations with the foresight (and resources) to engage an interim fundraising professional benefit from a level of institutional stability that is invaluable to sustaining and advancing their development operations. Beyond operational continuity, interim support also helps maintain team morale, ensuring staff and stakeholders remain engaged and confident during times of change. We know that donors and organizations are faced with a great deal of uncertainty on the funding landscape, so demonstrating a commitment to stability only builds more confidence in your organization and leadership.
WHY CHOOSE AN INTERIM FUNDRAISING CONSULTANT?
When your organization is in the midst of a leadership transition, donor relationships, revenue streams, and internal operations can’t be paused. Hiring an experienced, strategic interim fundraising professional to keep your development program moving forward while you search for your next permanent hire is a smart decision.
Sometimes organizations see the open position as a way to have cost savings but I would argue that you are losing momentum with donors, development activities and oversight. And depending on how long it takes you to find a professional that is a good fit for the organization, engaging an interim consultant is a great strategy for not only supporting fundraising, donor relations but also staff morale. Ultimately, having an open leadership position could put early stage cultivation with individuals and institutionas at risk. It may seem like cost savings in the beginning but ultimately the organization can feel an negative impact if the position is not filled immediately.
BENEFITS OF INTERIM FUNDRAISING SUPPORT
• Sustain Momentum: An interim professional can keep campaigns, grants, and donor engagement on track.
• Strategic Oversight: Interim support can conduct a rapid assessment and develop a roadmap for the incoming leader and assist with onboarding a new development leader.
• Operational Stability: Interim professional provide guidance and support for your team and board to maintain morale. Staff has an advocate and superviosr as they navigate activities and responsibilities and lesson the feeling of isolation and no direciton.
• Expertise on Demand: Interim professionals with significant experience can provide advise and counsel to leadership and board.
• Donor Relationship Management: Interim professionals can ensure communications and stewardship remains consistent and authentic.
Questions To ASk:
Do we have an internal team member who can provide leadership to the fundraising department while the organization searches for a new development lead?
What is at risk if we keep the position open without an interim leader while we search for a new CDO? Are our donor and funder relationships, campaigns, stewardship activities going to be negatively impacted or delayed, etc.
Is our highest fundraising season approaching? How will we cover all the bases if we can’t find a permenant hire before then?
Does the fundraising team seem anxious or unprepared for an absence of leadership? Is the team early-career professionals who are still growing into their roles?
Has there been a great deal of transition in the organization? Do you think the team will remain intact in the face of the absence of a leader?
Do you want space, time and a thought partner to help rethink the talents and experience of the new CDO?
Thoughtful consideration of these questions will be invaluable as you search for your next chief development officer and work to sustain the department’s growth and progress. Engaging an interim fundraising professional can be a strategic decision during this period of transition, offering stability and continuity while positioning the organization for long-term success. Interim support not only ensures critical fundraising activities remain on track but also provides valuable insights into internal operations and actionable recommendations creating a stronger foundation for onboarding and supporting your future leader.