I started Alan Cantor Consulting LLC in 2012 after 30 years of work at NH nonprofits. During my career, I served as executive director, vice president for philanthropy/development, and vice president for gift planning. I have also been a Board member and chair. All of which is to say, I have a lot of on-the-ground experience.
I focus on helping community-based nonprofits set their strategic priorities and raise funds to meet their missions. I also help organizations reform their governance structures and build Board effectiveness. (Often, Boards and committees meet and work according to the needs and habits of ten or fifteen years earlier. I try to help organizations sort out what they need to do now, and how to use their volunteer leadership and staff time efficiently and effectively.) I work with organizations around the country, but my focus is on nonprofits in New Hampshire and Northern New England. After all -- I love New Hampshire, so why spend time in airports if I can work here?
Along with my direct work with clients, I am a presenter and writer on philanthropic issues. I'm a frequent contributor to the Chronicle of Philanthropy and other journals, including Harvard Business Review; I've been quoted in The New York Times, Forbes, Vanity Fair, The Boston Globe, Boston Magazine, The Nonprofit Times, Advancing Philanthropy, The Daily Beast, and National Public Radio; I have a well-read blog at my website; and I'm in demand as a keynote speaker at conferences around the country.
I believe that there are certain truisms about nonprofits and development, but that each organization has its own culture, history, mission, stories, and personalities. I take pride in listening to my clients, analyzing their particular situations, and helping them -- diplomatically, but directly -- solve their issues. And I try to add humor and fun. Nonprofit leadership is hard work. We might as well laugh a little bit along the way!