Monday, September 17, 2007

Is That a Conflict of Interest?

In a recent meeting with a potential client, the question came up, as it often does, about conflict of interest. "Now, you wouldn't work with (fill in the blank) while you were working with us, would you?"

For the sake of discussion, let's assume the agency in question is a domestic violence shelter. So, would it be a conflict of interest if Parmelee Consulting Group, Inc. wrote grants for two domestic violence shelters at the same time?

We say no.

Why? Because we are not the programs, we simply write about them. Our expertise provides the same opportunity to each nonprofit to tell their story in a clear, concise and compelling manner. The variable in that formula is always the programs themselves (or the organization itself).

We don't promise to raise money. We promise to tell the best story possible about your organization or program--given the information available. So, you want to be competitive and successful in the grant seeking process? Keep good records about who you serve, when, how often, what the outcomes are and who else funds it. The more accurate, up to date and organized your information is, the stronger proposal we can produce.

Let's take domestic violence provider A and provider B. We write for both, we allocate the same amount of time for both and they are both applying to the same funder. Provider A gives us a clear outline of the program goals and objectives. They have demographic information on the clients served and detailed information on outcomes. They have an existing relationship with the funder and a member of their board is friends with someone on the foundation's board.

Provider B lack demographic information on clients served. They once wrote goals and objectives for the program, but they have since been retired to a binder on the shelf. Now, the program just floats along meeting client needs as they come up. They have never approached this funder and their organization is not well-known in the community.

We tell the story for both. But as you can see, there are many factors in each scenario that are clearly outside of our control. Sure, in the long run we can help Provider B successfully address many of those issues and make their future proposals far more competitive, but this proposal is due in two weeks!

Each agency is different. You are only as good as you are, and we can just help make you better--but not something different.

One last thing to keep in mind, if you are working with a consultant and concerned about conflicts one of two things may be going on. First, you may find that you would truly be more comfortable having someone inside of your organization oversee the project (as most of us work with more than one client at a time).

Second, you may need a new consultant. Consultants should not be sharing information about other clients. While I wouldn't encourage operating in a cloak of secrecy, I will say that the last thing your consultant should be discussing with you is his or her other clients!