Learn More About BrandRaise

FAQs about Brand, Fundraising and Working Together

We’ve pulled together the top questions we receive to help executive directors and nonprofit leaders determine whether BrandRaise is the right partner for your organization’s needs. If you’re at a fundraising turning point and unsure about your next right step, these questions are a good place to start.

Is BrandRaise right for our organization?

Is BrandRaise only for organizations planning a capital campaign?
No. While we do support capital campaigns, many organizations work with us well before that stage. We also partner with nonprofits that want to strengthen their brand, major gift strategy, or overall fundraising foundation so they are prepared for future growth opportunities.
Can we work with BrandRaise if we don’t have a Development Director?
Yes. Many of our clients do not have a dedicated development or communications staff member. Our approach is intentionally designed to meet organizations where they are, with systems and recommendations that align with your actual capacity, and not an idealized version of your team.
Who does BrandRaise typically work with?
We primarily work with small to mid-sized nonprofits that are at a fundraising turning point. Many of the organizations we support have invested in things like branding, a website, or strategic planning, but haven’t yet translated those efforts into a cohesive, repeatable fundraising system. Our clients are often Executive Directors with lean teams who are juggling leadership, operations, and fundraising, and who want a more clear and sustainable path forward.
What kinds of challenges are a good fit for BrandRaise?

BrandRaise is a strong fit if you are:

  • Over-reliant on one or two donors, events, or grants
  • Experiencing feast-or-famine fundraising cycles
  • Unsure how to confidently approach major gifts
  • Struggling to connect your brand, messaging, and fundraising efforts
  • Seeking systems that reduce reliance on one individual
  • Looking for outside support to help align leadership and Board members

How does BrandRaise work?

What is BrandRaise’s overall approach?
We take a brand-led, relationship-based approach to fundraising. We believe fundraising works best when it is grounded in a clear brand, guided by intentional systems, and centered on authentic relationships. Our role is to help you build clarity, confidence, and structure so fundraising becomes more predictable and less dependent on any one person.
What principles guide your work?

Our work is grounded in four core principles:

  1. Trust the process. Fundraising is dynamic, and our recommendations are rooted in what’s best for your organization at this moment. We adapt as needed while maintaining a clear, proven structure.
  2. Stay brand-led and relationship-based. A strong brand strengthens fundraising. We help you articulate your value clearly and build meaningful, long-term donor relationships.
  3. Be mindful of capacity and boundaries. We tailor strategies to your team’s real capacity, prioritizing systems that are manageable, sustainable, and respectful of work-life balance.
  4. Prioritize open and honest communication. Transparency and trust are essential. We communicate clearly, welcome questions, and work collaboratively with leadership and Boards.
Does BrandRaise do the fundraising for us?
No, we do not take over relationships or complete solicitations on your behalf. Instead, we equip you, your team and leadership with the strategy, tools, guidance, and confidence needed to fundraise successfully within your organization. Our goal is to build internal capacity, not create long-term dependency.
Does BrandRaise offer retainers?

Yes, we do offer retainers. However, they typically follow a defined project such as a Brand and Fundraising Audit, a major gifts fundraising project, or a capital campaign. This ensures there is a clear strategy, shared language, and agreed-upon priorities in place before moving into ongoing support.

Our retainers are designed to provide continued guidance, accountability, and strategic support without creating long-term dependency. They are most helpful for organizations that want steady momentum, a trusted thought partner, and help adapting systems as circumstances change.

Does BrandRaise work in person or remotely?
Our work can be completed remotely. We’ve worked with clients all over the U.S. and internationally. However, if you’re in the Twin Cities metro area in Minnesota, we would enjoy meeting in person, when possible!
How often does BrandRaise meet with our team?

We meet with your team virtually on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, depending on the type and level of the project.

  • For capital campaigns, meetings are weekly to manage momentum and day-to-day activities. Committees typically meet monthly.
  • For major gift fundraising projects, meetings may be weekly or bi-weekly, depending on project scope, with committees also meeting monthly.

Getting started: Brand and Fundraising Audit

What is a brand and fundraising audit?

A brand and fundraising audit is a strategic assessment that shows you how your brand and fundraising efforts are working together, and where gaps may exist. We use our Brand and Fundraising Readiness Rubric to evaluate everything from your messaging and visual identity to your donor communications and systems.

You receive a clear score, a narrative summary of what we found, and a prioritized roadmap of actionable next steps. Many organizations use the audit to gain clarity, align the leadership and Board, and identify where to focus limited time and resources.

Click here to learn more.

Why do you offer the audit for only $500?
We believe nonprofits deserve access to high-quality strategic insight, even if they are early in their fundraising journey. The audit allows organizations to engage with us in a meaningful way, gain immediate value, and make informed decisions about what comes next.
What do organizations gain from the audit?

Organizations often walk away with:

  • Clear priorities and quick wins
  • A shared understanding among staff and Board members about the organization’s current brand and fundraising activities
  • Greater confidence in fundraising direction
  • A realistic roadmap of future activities and recommendations

If you move forward with a larger project within 30 days, the audit fee is applied to your total project cost.

Brand and fundraising alignment

How does brand and branding relate to fundraising?
Branding shapes how donors understand, trust, and connect with your organization. A clear brand communicates why your work matters, what makes it distinct, and where you are going. When donors understand your impact, they give with confidence and remain engaged. Strong branding also supports consistent messaging, communications, and relationship-building, which are key drivers for major gifts fundraising.
Why does our organization need a brand strategy?
A brand strategy provides clarity and alignment for communications and fundraising. It defines how your organization conveys purpose, values, and impact. Without it, fundraising messages can feel fragmented or reactive. With a clear brand strategy, donor conversations, appeals, and stewardship all reinforce the same story, building trust and supporting long-term sustainability.
We already have a logo. Does that mean we have a brand?
A logo is an important visual element but only one piece of your brand. Your brand also includes perceptions, messaging, voice, and how supporters feel when interacting with your organization. A strong brand integrates all these elements, ensuring fundraising messages are cohesive and compelling.

Fundraising strategy and major gifts

Why doesn’t BrandRaise focus primarily on grants?
While grants can be part of a healthy fundraising mix, they are rarely a sustainable foundation on their own. We focus primarily on major gift fundraising because it is rooted in relationships and often leads to greater predictability and more long-term impact. Grant support can be included as part of a broader fundraising strategy when appropriate.
What is major gift fundraising?
Major gifts are larger, transformational investments that come from deep, long-term relationships with an individual. The amount is unique to the organization, i.e., a major gift for one nonprofit may be $5,000 and for another, it’s $500,000.
What if we’re uncomfortable asking for major gifts?
This is very common. Part of our work is helping leaders and Boards reframe solicitation as an invitation to invest in impact, not a transactional ask. We provide coaching and guidance to help you approach each conversation with confidence and authenticity.

Board and leadership involvement

Who should be involved in brand and fundraising work?

Brand-focused work: Typically involves the Executive Director, a Board member, and the staff member responsible for communications or programs, if applicable. Leadership involvement ensures the brand reflects organizational priorities and directly supports fundraising goals. Involving the right people early helps reduce rework, supports internal alignment, and makes it easier for staff and Board members to use the brand confidently in donor and community conversations.

Fundraising-focused work: Usually involves the Executive Director (or equivalent senior leader) and the Board Chair, with selected Board members participating as appropriate. Their involvement is critical in guidance, relationship-building, and solicitation, while the staff team executes the tactical elements. This ensures alignment, shared ownership, and a smooth, confident donor experience.

By clearly defining who participates in each area, your organization can maximize engagement, reduce miscommunication, and strengthen outcomes for both brand and fundraising initiatives.

Who from our organization should be involved in the general project work?
In most projects, we recommend involvement from the Executive Director (or equivalent senior leader) and the Board Chair. Depending on the project, other Board members or staff may participate in specific roles, such as brand strategy, committee work or solicitation support.
How does BrandRaise support Board involvement in fundraising?

We help Boards understand the purpose, structure, and expected outcomes of fundraising initiatives. This includes guidance for Executive Directors on communicating the value and impact of projects, building confidence among Board members, and clarifying roles.

For Board members actively participating in fundraising, we provide frameworks, training, and tools that make their involvement straightforward and effective. This ensures they can advocate for the organization, engage donors, and contribute to campaign success without confusion or overcommitment.

What level of Board involvement is expected?
Board involvement varies by project, but we aim for meaningful participation without overextending anyone. Boards are typically most involved in guidance, relationship-building, and solicitation, rather than day-to-day execution.

Time, capacity, and expectations

How much time should we expect to commit to a project?

Time commitments vary depending on the type and level of the project.

For most fundraising projects, expect 1-3 hours per week. Some weeks may require more time, for example when reviewing materials like a case statement, and other weeks may be lighter, during periods when deliverables are being drafted.

Capital campaigns generally require a greater time commitment, reflecting the complexity and scale of the work, including committee participation and weekly leadership check-ins.

We provide clear expectations in advance so your team can plan accordingly and balance project responsibilities with ongoing operational work.

What if we feel stretched or can’t keep up?
Capacity constraints are common, and we expect them. If challenges arise, we encourage open communication so we can adjust timelines or expectations where possible. Our goal is to support progress without overwhelming you or your team.
What happens if we don’t follow all the recommended steps?
Our process is intentionally sequenced, with each step building on the previous one. Skipping steps can limit results. If capacity or external factors create barriers, we work with you to adapt while preserving the integrity of the overall strategy.

Prospects, volunteers, and relationships

What if we don’t think we have any prospects?
Most organizations have more prospects than they realize. Relationships often exist informally or aren’t documented in a usable way. Part of our work is helping you surface, organize, and engage those existing connections.
What if our network feels tapped out or fatigued?
Donor fatigue is real, but new leaders and advocates often emerge when organizations approach engagement intentionally. We help you broaden and deepen relationships rather than relying on the same few individuals.
Where do volunteers come from during campaigns?
Volunteers are recruited throughout the process. With a clear strategy and intentional outreach, organizations often engage a wide range of supporters who are eager to contribute in meaningful ways.

Campaign readiness and capital campaigns

What is a Campaign Readiness Study, and why is it required?
A Campaign Readiness Study assesses whether your organization is prepared for a capital or major fundraising campaign. It provides critical insights into leadership alignment, donor readiness, and organizational capacity. We require a readiness study to reduce risk and set campaigns up for success.
Can we bypass the study and move directly into a campaign, or shorten the timeline?
No. Each stage of the readiness process serves a specific purpose, and rushing it can compromise outcomes. The study protects your organization from launching a campaign before the foundation is in place.
Why is momentum important after a readiness study?
Campaigns thrive on urgency and momentum. Moving quickly after a readiness study ensures participants stay engaged and motivated, because they’re eager to see the progress they were introduced to during the study.
How much time can we wait between a Campaign Readiness Study and a capital campaign?

We encourage organizations to enter a readiness study with the intention to move into a capital or major fundraising campaign within a reasonable window of time. While every organization’s circumstances are different, waiting too long can reduce momentum, dilute leadership alignment, and make insights from the study less actionable.

The readiness study is designed to inform near-term decisions and next steps. If significant delays are anticipated due to capacity, leadership transitions, or external factors, it’s important to name that upfront so we can assess whether the timing is right to proceed with the study.

What if we receive critical or negative feedback during the study?
This is normal and often valuable. Honest feedback helps refine strategy and address concerns proactively, strengthening the campaign overall.
Who from our organization should be involved in a capital campaign?

Capital campaigns involve multiple committees and roles to ensure the campaign runs smoothly and meets its goals. At a minimum, the Executive Director and a support staff member handle day-to-day administration and meet weekly to manage the campaign.

Board members are typically engaged through campaign committees, while additional team members participate on committees as capacity allows. This structure ensures leadership oversight, committee guidance, and operational support are all aligned, while respecting each participant’s availability.

Contracts, fees, and flexibility

Why doesn’t BrandRaise charge based on a percentage of funds raised?
We follow the AFP Code of Ethics, which prohibits percentage-based compensation. Our fees are structured to prioritize ethical practice, transparency, and long-term sustainability.
How do consulting fees typically work for capital campaigns?
For capital campaigns, fundraising consulting fees are often included in the overall campaign goal. In previous projects, organizations have taken out loans to cover our services, with the understanding that the loan will be repaid through donations within 12-16 months. Many local banks are willing to collaborate with nonprofit organizations on this approach.
What happens if the capital campaign goal is reached early?
If the goal is met before the contract ends, the contract concludes early and no further payments are required.
What if the contract ends and the capital campaign goal hasn’t been reached?
Many organizations feel confident continuing on their own with the systems, tools, and strategies developed during the project. Our goal is to leave you better equipped for the long term.
Is there flexibility if circumstances change?
Yes. If unexpected external factors arise, we work collaboratively to find a responsible and appropriate path forward.

Pro bono work

Does BrandRaise offer pro bono support?

Yes. Twice a year, we select one small to mid-sized nonprofit through an application process to receive four months of brand-led, relationship-based fundraising support at no cost.

Learn more and submit an application here.

Unsure of where to begin?

The Brand and Fundraising Audit is often the most helpful first step. It provides clarity, alignment, and a realistic roadmap so you can move forward with confidence, whether or not you continue working with us beyond that point.

Get Started