Ways to work together
Built around the questions leaders are asking.
Every engagement is led personally by Shannon, bringing executive-level advancement experience from the first conversation to the last.
Because of that, The Giving Fern works with a limited number of organizations at a time.
These are the most common ways organizations work with The Giving Fern. If your need looks a little different, we are glad to talk it through.
At a glance
| Service | You might be asking | Investment | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advancement Strategy Review | Our fundraising needs a clear direction. Where do we begin? | Beginning at $10,000 | Several weeks |
| Principal Gift Strategy Intensive | We know there is more potential. How do we make it happen? | Beginning at $12,500 | 60 to 90 days |
| Leadership Transition Support | We’re in transition. Who is keeping strategy steady? | Monthly, scoped by conversation | 3 to 6 months |
| Interim Advancement Leadership | We need someone in the chair. | Monthly, scoped by conversation | Tied to the leadership search |
Where do we begin?
Advancement Strategy Review
Focused senior counsel for advancement teams ready to define a clear direction and set priorities with confidence.
The Giving Fern works with leadership and key team members to understand where your program stands today, surface patterns and opportunities, and shape a practical path forward that fits your organization’s goals and culture.
A review often focuses on
- Team structure, roles, and capacity
- Portfolio strategy, discovery, and donor movement
- Major and principal gift readiness
- Development officer effectiveness and support
- Fundraising processes and workflows
- Regional or unit-based fundraising strategy
- Campaign readiness and internal structure
- Preparing for a leadership transition or a new advancement leader
What’s included
- An opening strategy session with leadership
- Review of relevant materials and data
- Confidential conversations with selected team members
- Key themes, strengths, and barriers
- Prioritized recommendations
- A working session with leadership to decide next steps
Every review is customized to your organization, whether you want to focus on a few key priorities or look at your full advancement program. The scope is shaped together in conversation.
How do we make it happen?
Principal Gift Strategy Intensive
A focused, hands-on engagement for teams ready to bring more clarity, confidence, and momentum to their most consequential donor relationships.
Together, we look closely at your top prospects and opportunities, build a shared strategy for moving them forward, and leave your team with the tools and plan to keep going.
What’s included
- Leadership intake to define priorities and institutional aspirations
- Review of your principal gift portfolio and opportunities
- A 90-minute team workshop on principal gift strategy
- A strategy framework for your top 10 to 25 prospects
- Individual strategy sessions on priority prospects
- Practical tools and templates your team can keep using
- A clear action plan, with immediate next steps and a longer-range roadmap
Who is keeping strategy steady?
Leadership Transition Support
Senior counsel for advancement programs moving through change, whether a leader is departing, the organization is restructuring, or someone new is about to arrive.
Ideal when a strong team is handling day-to-day operations and would benefit from experienced strategic leadership alongside them.
Support may include
- Advancement priorities, structure, and decision-making
- Major and principal gift strategy
- Portfolio, pipeline, and campaign readiness
- Executive and board counsel
- Team strategy sessions and development officer training
- Assessment of staffing, roles, and workflows
- Partnership in the search for new advancement leadership
- Onboarding support and clear priorities for the incoming leader’s first 90 days
The Giving Fern provides strategic leadership and counsel while your team stays within your organization’s management structure. If you need someone to lead the team directly, Interim Advancement Leadership may be the better fit.
Who sits in the chair?
Interim Advancement Leadership
Experienced executive leadership for organizations that need someone to step into the senior advancement role while they search for a permanent leader.
Support may include
- Serving as the acting advancement executive
- Leading and supervising the advancement team, with clear priorities and accountability
- Participating in executive leadership and institutional decisions
- Keeping major and principal gifts, campaigns, and critical initiatives moving
- Supporting presidents, CEOs, boards, and institutional leaders
- Preparing the operation for the permanent leader, with a structured handoff
To give each organization full attention, The Giving Fern accepts one interim engagement at a time.
Beginning a conversation
Not sure which one fits? That is exactly what the first conversation is for.
Share what you’re working toward and where things feel stuck, and we will help you find the right starting point.
Start a conversation