Third Sector Consulting

Find More Funders
Win More Grants
Raise More Money

Founder & Principal

Laura Rhodes, CFRE
Nonprofit Consultant | Speaker & Trainer
"HI, I'M LAURA! And I want to help you find more funders, win more grants and raise more money for your nonprofit. Are you ready?"

Laura Rhodes is a Certified Fund Raising Executive and fundraising trainer who has 20+ years of experience working with – and for – nonprofits.

Laura started her nonprofit career in development and communications. She later served as an interim executive director. As a volunteer, Laura has been a board member, board chair, marketing committee chair and resource development committee chair. And prior to starting her consulting business, Laura was a regional program officer with the American Express Foundation, which awarded $30 million to nonprofits each year.

Having been both a grantmaker and a fundraiser, Laura uses her unique perspective to help nonprofits find more funders, win more grants and raise more money for their cause.

Laura has helped nonprofits raise millions of dollars from grants, events, direct mail and workplace giving campaigns. She also provides prospect research and grant writing support for organizations that want to write their own grants.

She is a popular nonprofit conference speaker and leads workshops and trainings for nonprofit staff and boards across the U.S.

Certifications & Professional Affiliations

 

What nonprofits say about Laura...

I have already benefited from the practical advice that Laura gave in a grant writing workshop. I emailed a foundation officer to ask a few questions and when she called me back, she gave me a few tips to make our request more likely to be successful!

Sarah DeOpsomer, Development and Programs Manager, Bozeman Public Library Foundation

I couldn't be more pleased with the fundraising training offered by Laura. Laura's training has had a significant impact on the success of our organization. She played a very important part in allowing me to feel more confident in fundraising. I know that is shared by others at GVF2S who have participated in her workshops as well.

Sam Blomquist, Executive Director, Gallatin Valley Farm to School

All I can say is, 'WOW!' You've got this grant writing thing down.

Erica Yaeger, Executive Director, Sci-Tech Discovery Center

Laura's work to help us identify foundations that may fund our work filled an important gap for us. She is professional, and her work is thorough and well researched. I have already recommended her to several other nonprofits, which speaks to my high opinion of her work and of her.

Penelope Pierce, Executive Director, Gallatin Valley Land Trust

Featured Blog Post

"Let's Talk Nonprofit" is a blog by Third Sector Consulting that addresses common questions that nonprofits have. Ready? Great! Let's Talk Nonprofit.

Anatomy of a Stellar Thank You Letter
Here are some simple truths: When you give someone a gift, you expect them to say "thank you." And when a donor makes a contribution to your nonprofit, you should always say thank you. In writing. It doesn't have to be handwritten. It could be a typed letter. Or even email. Whatever medium you choose, your "thank you" should have some basic elements. Follow these four simple steps and you'll take your thank you letters from average to All Star! (read more)