Grant Writing, Strategic Planning, and Governance Support for Nonprofits

The cost to work with Carpenter Nonprofit Consulting depends on the type of support your organization needs, the scope and complexity of the work, the infrastructure already in place, and the level of ongoing strategy or implementation support required. My rates are designed to be competitive for nonprofit consulting, grant writing, training, and facilitation services across most U.S. markets.

My services may be structured as monthly retainers, project-based engagements, customized strategy sessions, training or workshop fees, or facilitation packages. Ongoing grant writing and strategy retainers are typically priced differently from one-time grant readiness support, board development, strategic planning, or professional development workshops because each service requires a different level of preparation, customization, and implementation support.

When evaluating the investment, it’s helpful to compare consulting support not only to one-time project costs, but also to the true cost of hiring full- or part-time staff. With a consultant, your organization receives senior-level expertise without added expenses such as benefits, payroll taxes, onboarding, supervision, or long-term employment risk.

If you’d like a clearer sense of current investment ranges and what’s included at different levels of support, you’re welcome to send me a message to request a copy of my Services & Investment Overview, which outlines scope, structure, and pricing in more detail.

Pricing is based on the scope of work, complexity of your needs, and the level of ongoing support required to be effective. In many cases, I recommend a monthly retainer because it allows for continuity, flexibility, and steady progress over time - especially for grant strategy and writing work that benefits from institutional knowledge and long-term positioning.

That said, some organizations are better served by project-based or time-limited engagements, particularly for readiness-building, strategic planning, or focused deliverables. We’ll discuss options together to determine the structure that best fits your goals and capacity.

For retainer engagements, contracts are designed to be straightforward and flexible. My standard agreement allows for cancellation with 60 days’ notice and no penalty, so you’re not locked into a long-term commitment that no longer serves your organization.

No. Accepting commission-, contingent-, or percentage-based compensation is a violation of the Grant Professionals Association’s and the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Codes of Ethics. I am honor-bound to abide by these guidelines and treat the nonprofits I work with fairly, which includes using an ethical fee structure.

Grants are awarded based on a variety of factors, including the community need, the efficacy of the project, and the organization’s capacity to implement, deliver, monitor, and sustain the project - not the technical expertise of the grant writer. Your organization wins grants - not me - which is why I’ll work closely with you to ensure your grant readiness before we start submitting proposals.

Furthermore, compensating grant writers based on a commission or contingency is likely a violation of your eventual grant agreement, since generally accepted accounting principles require your organization to provide compensation for services rendered at the time they are received, and grant funding generally can’t be used to cover expenses incurred prior to the award date.

To protect your organization, I only work with clients on a retainer or per-project basis. I’ll work with you to determine a fair, affordable, and ethical fee structure and will always work my hardest to ensure your proposals are funded - no matter the size of the grant.

If the work feels aligned but the listed investment is a stretch, that doesn’t automatically mean the door is closed. In some cases, it may be possible to adjust scope, timing, or sequencing, such as focusing on readiness-building first, phasing work over time, or exploring a different service model that better fits your current capacity.

I can also develop a custom proposal and budget for organizations seeking capacity-building or infrastructure support through grant funding, which can make consulting more accessible while aligning with funder expectations.

If you’re unsure what options might make sense, I encourage you to reach out. A short conversation can help clarify whether there’s a realistic path forward now - or whether it makes more sense to revisit at a later stage.