Got Consultants? Brenda L. Henry-Sanchez, PhD Director, Research - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Got Consultants? Brenda L. Henry-Sanchez, PhD Director, Research for Special Projects Foundation Center National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers Spring Convening June 8, 2014

Overview  Project Background  Data and Methodology  Preliminary Findings  Summary  Limitations  Next Steps

Project Background

Data and Methodology Methodology • 2014 Foundation Giving Forecast Survey • Web-based and paper • Special data supplement • Fielded 12/2013 to 3/2014 • 5,000+ foundations invited Data • 1,129 responded (22%) • 1,090 completed data supplement (97%)

Response Rate by Foundation Type

Sample by Foundation Type (n=1,090)

Response Rate by Total Giving

Sample by Total Giving (n=1,090)

Used Consultants in Last 2 Years Did not use a Consultant Used a Consultant

Reasons for not using a consultant (n=519) # % No need for outside technical support/expertise 76.3 396 Foundation policy and/or practice does not support hiring 11 57 consultants Cost of consulting services 10 52 Other 6 33 Time needed to recruit, vet, and engage a consultant 2.5 13 Challenge of finding a reputable consultant with the skills we 1.3 7 need Negative prior experience with a consultant 0.2 1

Used Consultants by Foundation Type

Used Consultants by Total Giving

Means of Identifying Consultants (n=571) % # Prior use of consultant(s) 64.1 366 Referral from another grantmaker(s) 36.4 208 Referral from board member 21.9 125 Request for proposals 17.3 99 Other 16.1 92 Referral from a grantmaker network(s) 10.7 61 Online search 6.5 37 Directory of foundation consultants 1.9 11

Frequency of Consultant Use (n=571) More than 10x Once 6 to 10 times 4 to 5 2 to 3 times times

Consultant Services Used (n=571) % # Technology/information management/IT 47.3 270 Communications and marketing 45.2 258 Evaluation 30.3 173 Strategic planning and establishing priorities for new foundations 26.6 152 Facilitation 25.9 148 Human resources and/or executive search 23.6 135 Program development 21 120 Governance and board member engagement 16.5 94 Fund development (for community foundations only) 16.3 26 Grants management 16.1 92 Executive coaching 15.8 90 Training 14.2 81 Foundation management 10.5 60 Other 8.6 49

Satisfaction with Consultants

Satisfaction with Consultants (n=571) % # Ability to communicate findings/recommendations 92.6 502 Compatibility with foundation values and culture 91.5 495 Level of engagement 91.3 495 Responsiveness to feedback 91.2 488 Quality of work 90.8 491 Impact of work 89.8 485 Timeliness of deliverables 89.6 471 Cost 88.2 476

Summary  Over half of foundations used consultants in last 2 years  Consultant use differs by foundation type and total giving  Prior engagement major determinant of consultant identification  Tech/IT and Communications and Marketing main areas of consultant use  Very high levels of satisfaction

Limitations  Preliminary Analyses  Not necessarily generalizable  Aggregate picture of satisfaction

Next Steps  Review qualitative responses  Conduct additional analyses  Prepare Foundation Review article  Map out Plan B

Contact Information Brenda L. Henry-Sanchez bhs@foundationcenter.org 212-807-2432 @BrenLizHen