There are many circumstances when it makes sense for a
not-for-profit organization to engage the services of an outside
contractor, especially smaller organizations that may not have
sufficient internal resources or the need for full-time staffing in
auxiliary departments such as marketing or accounting.
However, before engaging an
external consultant, the cost to benefit consequences must be
carefully considered, as consultant fees tend to add up very
quickly. At what point would it be less expensive and more
effective to hire another staff person rather than utilize an
outside service? And, if you choose to work with an outside firm,
it is important to evaluate how the integrity and identity of the
organization will be served by such an arrangement.
