Shared Services: A Model for Nonprofit Growth Our Clients Are Already Using

In the world of nonprofits, we're constantly searching for ways to do more with less. We’re asked to innovate, to scale, and to be as efficient as possible. This has led to an increased interest in shared services, a model where organizations pool resources to share administrative, operational, or technical functions. You might think this is a new concept, but I’d argue that many of you are already doing it—and my business, Spur & Sprout, is built entirely on this model.

How Our Shared Services Model Works

At its core, a shared services model centralizes a function that would otherwise be duplicated across multiple organizations or departments. Instead of each nonprofit having its own full-time IT staff, for example, several organizations might share a single IT professional or team. This approach reduces costs, increases efficiency, and allows each organization to focus more on its core mission.

Common examples of shared services include:

• Financial and accounting services: A centralized team handles payroll, bookkeeping, and financial reporting for multiple nonprofits.

• Human resources: An HR expert or team manages hiring, benefits, and employee relations across a group of organizations.

• Technology support: A shared IT department provides network management, cybersecurity, and help desk support.

• Fundraising and development: This is where we come in. At Spur & Sprout, our business model is a form of shared services, offering nonprofits strategic fundraising expertise without the full cost of a C-suite executive.

  
  

The benefits of this model are clear:

• Cost savings: Sharing the expense of a specialized professional or team is often more affordable than hiring a full-time employee.

• Access to expertise: Smaller organizations can gain access to high-level skills they couldn't otherwise afford.

• Increased efficiency: Standardized processes and specialized teams can streamline operations and improve quality.

• Focus on mission: By offloading administrative tasks, program staff can dedicate more time and energy to the people they serve.

  
  

A Personal Look at the Model

For me, this isn't just a business model—it’s a deeply personal mission. I've spent years working in the social sector, and I love it. I started my career at a local YWCA, where I had the privilege of witnessing the incredible work of frontline staff. I saw firsthand how their skill, care, and support helped survivors of human trafficking, sexual assault, and domestic violence move from dangerous relationships to safety. That life-changing work, fueled by the tireless dedication of social workers and therapists, is what makes the nonprofit sector so vital.

But something about the structure felt upside down to me. As a development professional, I earned more money than the people doing that essential, life-saving work every day. It wasn't that my paycheck wasn't earned—the emotional and physical toll of revenue development in a scrappy nonprofit is real. The issue was with how we economically value these positions.

When I launched Spur & Sprout five years ago, I wanted to be part of the solution. My goal was to make it possible for nonprofits to retain strategic leaders with C-suite experience without having to pay for them in full. We provide fractional consulting, which is our version of a shared service. My team and I come in to do the work you need, and that's it. The nonprofit, supported by tax dollars and philanthropy, doesn't bear the burden of paying for my "fringe" benefits—things like health care, employee taxes, and retirement contributions. We show up, we get the job done, and we provide a much-needed resource to support a single-person or small shop. We coach, develop, build, and handle the tasks your team doesn't have time for.

It's also worth noting that many talented fundraising and development professionals operate as solopreneurs, providing a similar shared service model on their own. This is a testament to the need for flexible, specialized expertise in our sector. What Spur & Sprout offers, beyond the direct consulting, is a platform where these top-tier grant writers, fundraisers, and strategic professionals can focus purely on the work they love. They get to leverage their incredible skills and passion for the social sector without the burden of running a separate business, managing client acquisition, or handling administrative overhead. I help them make that happen.

This model allowed me to build the company I wanted to work for—one that reflects the values of the nonprofit field I love. I was a well-paid but exhausted and stressed-out nonprofit professional. Now, Spur & Sprout hires top-caliber grant writers, fundraisers, and strategic professionals. We have a collaborative and supportive culture. Our team gets paid fairly, has health benefits, and enjoys open leave. We cross-train and support each other. In other words, I've built a company that models the nonprofit field I love. As I often joke, we're practically a nonprofit ourselves! Our goal isn't profit; it's creating a model that works for everyone.

Could Spur & Sprout Be Right for Your Nonprofit?

If you're wondering whether a shared services model for fundraising and development is a good fit for your organization, ask yourself these questions:

• Are you a small development shop (one or two people) that needs strategic leadership but can't afford a full-time Chief Development Officer?

• Is your team overwhelmed with the day-to-day work of grant writing and donor relations, leaving no time for big-picture strategy?

• Do you have ambitious fundraising goals but lack the in-house expertise to reach them?

• Are you tired of spending valuable resources on recruiting and retaining high-level talent, only to see them leave after a few years?

If you answered "yes" to any of these, it might be time to consider how a shared services model could help your organization thrive. It's not about replacing your team; it's about empowering them to do what they do best.

Ready to explore a different way of working?