Inspiration
An option to explore
Full-Service Philanthropic Advisor
Families giving $500K+/year or with complex goals (multi-issue, multi-generation)
Retainer $10K–$50K+/year or % of grants; project-based variesConfirm current pricing
A better question, a better choice
Find the right help for your giving
Pay for clarity and implementation when your giving goals or evaluation work exceed the time and expertise you can give them.
Personal fit. Clear tradeoffs. Room to skip.
The short answer
Seek help with a defined giving question.
Pay for clarity and implementation when your giving goals or evaluation work exceed the time and expertise you can give them.
Worth considering when
You will use the difference.
- You want help defining or evaluating a giving strategy.
- Several people need a shared process.
- The scope and independence of the adviser are clear.
Probably skip it when
A simpler choice serves you.
- A straightforward direct gift meets the goal.
- The adviser’s incentives or deliverables are unclear.
- You do not yet know what help you need.
Make it personal
Does this sound like you?
Start with your priorities. Matching them is a reason to compare the options, rather than a reason to spend automatically.
What would you like to make easier, better or more memorable?
What the premium should buy
Pay for the useful part.
- Clear goals and an appropriate research process.
- Transparent fees and conflicts.
- Practical follow-through and evaluation.
The smaller alternative
Start one level down.
Start with a focused planning session before an ongoing advisory engagement.
The best comparison includes keeping what already works.
The useful alternatives
Compare the level of help.
Costs, benefits and tradeoffs together
THE COST. THE DIFFERENCE.
The options, at a glance.
Compare the useful difference before choosing a provider.
Retainer $10K–$50K+/year or % of grants; project-based variesPlanning estimate · confirm current price
What it offersStrategy aligned to your values and goals · Due diligence on grantees
What to checkCost: retainer or % of giving · May push certain approaches
Part of family office cost (staff or outsourced)Planning estimate · confirm current price
What it offersIntegrated with wealth and tax · Dedicated capacity
What to checkOnly relevant if you have a family office · Cost is part of office overhead
$500–$5,000/year (membership, programs)Planning estimate · confirm current price
What it offersLearn best practices and frameworks · Peer exchange and accountability
What to checkNot customized to your situation · You still do the work
$1,000–$10,000+ per review depending on depthPlanning estimate · confirm current price
What it offersObjective look at financials and governance · Reduces risk of fraud or misuse
What to checkCost per review · Doesn't replace relationship and judgment
Full-Service Philanthropic Advisor
Families giving $500K+/year or with complex goals (multi-issue, multi-generation)
Explore this optionListed prices are editorial planning estimates. Check the price unit, included services and a current quote. Price bars appear only for amounts with a shared unit; a missing price is never treated as free.
Price, scope & fit details
Full-Service Philanthropic Advisor
A firm or advisor that helps you define giving goals, research nonprofits, conduct due diligence, and sometimes manage grants and reporting. Retainer or project-based.
Families giving $500K+/year or with complex goals (multi-issue, multi-generation)
Cost: retainer or % of giving · May push certain approaches · Quality varies by firm · Overkill for modest giving · Need to align on philosophy
Read the guideFamily Office Philanthropy Arm
For families with a family office, philanthropy can be a dedicated function—staff or outsourced—that handles strategy, DAF/foundation, grants, and family education.
UHNW families with an office who want giving to be a structured, ongoing function
Only relevant if you have a family office · Cost is part of office overhead · Can become bureaucratic · Need to avoid mission drift · Staff turnover can disrupt
Read the guideDonor Education / Peer Learning
Programs and networks that educate donors on effective giving—Learning for Funders, Exponent Philanthropy, or local giving circles. Lower cost than full advisory; peer and expert input.
Donors who want to up their game without full-service advisory
Not customized to your situation · You still do the work · Quality of programs varies · May not replace hands-on due diligence · Time commitment
Read the guideImpact Evaluation / Due Diligence Service
Firms that vet nonprofits (financials, governance, impact evidence) so you can give with confidence. One-off or ongoing; useful before large grants.
Donors making large grants who want a second opinion before committing
Cost per review · Doesn't replace relationship and judgment · Some small orgs have thin public data · Impact evidence is often limited · May give false confidence if over-relied on
Read the guideExplore the options in pictures
Inspiration
An option to explore
Family Office Philanthropy Arm
UHNW families with an office who want giving to be a structured, ongoing function
Part of family office cost (staff or outsourced)Confirm current pricing
Inspiration
An option to explore
Donor Education / Peer Learning
Donors who want to up their game without full-service advisory
$500–$5,000/year (membership, programs)Confirm current pricing
Inspiration
An option to explore
Impact Evaluation / Due Diligence Service
Donors making large grants who want a second opinion before committing
$1,000–$10,000+ per review depending on depthConfirm current pricing
The details behind the decision
A philanthropic advisor can help you give with more impact and less friction—strategy, due diligence, and family alignment. This guide covers when to hire one and what to expect.
What Philanthropic Advisory Is For
- Strategy: Clarify goals, focus areas, and how much to give when.
- Due diligence: Vet nonprofits before large grants—financials, governance, impact.
- Family alignment: Engage spouse and next gen so giving is intentional and shared.
- Execution: Grant process, reporting, and impact tracking so you're not ad hoc.
You don't need an advisor for modest, straightforward giving. You may want one when giving is sizable, multi-issue, or multi-generation.
Options at a Glance
- Full-service advisor: Strategy, research, due diligence, sometimes grant management. Retainer or project. Best for $500K+/year or complex goals.
- Family office philanthropy: Dedicated function inside your office. Best when you already have a family office.
- Donor education: Programs and peers to learn best practices. Lower cost; you still do the work. Best for learning without full advisory.
- Impact evaluation / due diligence: Vet specific orgs before big grants. Best as a targeted service, not replacement for strategy.
How to Choose
- Assess complexity: One cause, simple giving → maybe no advisor. Multiple causes, family involvement, large sums → consider advisory.
- Define what you need: Strategy only? Due diligence? Full management? That drives full-service vs à la carte.
- Check references: Talk to other donors who've used the advisor. Philosophy and fit matter.
- Start small: One project or one-year retainer before long-term commitment.
The questions that matter
A little more clarity.
When is philanthropic advice worth it?
Pay for clarity and implementation when your giving goals or evaluation work exceed the time and expertise you can give them.
When should I choose the smaller option?
Start with a focused planning session before an ongoing advisory engagement.
When should I hire a philanthropic advisor?
When giving is **$500K+/year**, **multi-issue or multi-generation**, or you want **strategy and due diligence** without doing it yourself. For smaller or simple giving, a DAF and your own research may be enough. Hire when the cost of the advisor is less than the value of your time and the improvement in impact.
How much does philanthropic advisory cost?
Full-service: often $10K–$50K+ per year retainer, or a percentage of grants. Project-based: $5K–$25K+ for strategy or due diligence. Family office: cost is part of office overhead. Get a clear scope and fee in writing.
What's the difference between a philanthropic advisor and a community foundation?
**Advisor** = works for you; strategy, research, and sometimes execution. **Community foundation** = hosts DAFs and often has local expertise; they're a product (DAF) and sometimes a connector, not necessarily your strategic partner. You can use both—DAF at a community foundation + an advisor for strategy.
Do I need due diligence for every grant?
No. For small grants ($1K–$10K), your own judgment and a quick look at 990s and website may be enough. For **large** grants ($50K+), a formal or light due diligence (financials, governance, impact) reduces risk and can improve grantee relationship (they know you're serious).
How do I involve my family in giving?
Options: family meetings to set priorities, next-gen on DAF or foundation board, giving circles or matching. An advisor can facilitate family conversations and design governance. Start with one meeting to align on values and 1–2 focus areas.
Before you commit
Ask for the part you actually need.
Start with a focused planning session before an ongoing advisory engagement.
Our fit criteria are editorial judgment. Listed prices are planning estimates unless a source and review date are given. Confirm the actual offer, total cost and terms with the provider.