Fractional Leadership Practice
Helping social purpose organizations, from grassroots to medium-sized charities and nonprofits, expand their capacity to do more
“Collaboration gives the freedom to come out from the narrow scopes of life to the field of endless possibilities.”― Amit Ray
Let's collaborate to amplify your impact in community
col·lab·o·ra·tion
Two or more people working together toward shared goals.
So many brilliant minds and big hearts are doing important work to bridge gaps and create lasting solutions to end poverty and social injustices in our city and region.
Access to human and financial resources can be challenging. I'm here to help.
Let me help you get results
You need to increase revenue OR focus on a strategic initiative stuck on the side of your desk. You and your current team are maxed out in capacity. AND you need help! You could:
Hire In-house
Your budget equates to hiring inexperienced staff
=
more time and effort
Hire Consultant
Strategic direction without implemention
=
plan without action
Hire Me
Experience + expertise +
strategy through to implemention
=
well-executed plan + time to focus
on all the other things!
Fractional Fundraising
I will run your fundraising program
Strategic Oversight
I will start with a fundraising plan that outlines strategic objectives and a detailed work plan.
Hands on Implementation
From strategy to stuffing envelopes — if it's in the plan, I'll make sure it gets done.
Strategic Initiatives
What are the dreams you've been waiting to act upon? Those innovative initiatives on the side of your desk that need exploratory work, experience and expertise but budget doesn’t allow for, or you don’t need an FTE?
From strategic planning to exploring new partnerships or revenue streams, I’ll work from strategy through to implementation. No plans left on shelves unless that’s where it's determined they ultimately belong!
A bit about me
Carmen Clayton
I believe I have a role to play in disrupting the inequitable social systems that exist, the things that lift some while creating barriers for others. I'm dedicated to aligning my skills and values with organizational missions working in this arena.
I love this sector, the community sector, and all the people working to bridge the gaps in our social systems and tackle persistent problems in new and different ways.
After a successful career in marketing, I transitioned to the social purpose sector, where for the past decade I’ve built meaningful relationships with donors, volunteers and corporate partners, marrying their needs with the community’s. Colleagues describe me as a top-notch relationship-builder who approaches fundraising from a values worldview — it’s not about the money!
I have led teams responsible for annually raising $8million - $25+million. As a Senior Philanthropy Officer my personal responsibility was to raise $3+million annually across a portfolio of donors and prospects.
Testimonials
I am always going to fondly remember partnering with Carmen for our campaigns supporting United Way. For many years her guidance, collaboration, and creativity helped in achieving our goals year after year after year. It was a pleasure to learn from her, engage employees in unique ways, and deliver meaningful impact across communities.
Yvette Bryan-Moses
Director, Strategy & Operations, Giving, BMO
Carmen is among the most versatile, strategic and practical leaders I know. And the most empathetic bar none. Uniquely adept at moving transformative work forward in scope, on time, on budget, against deliverables and - most important, with the engagement and endorsement of cross sectoral stakeholders. And it is this ‘with’, this relentless practice of the craft of deep collaboration, that always makes Carmen my go to.
Daniele Zanotti
President & CEO, United Way Greater Toronto
Empathy — Carmen has a wonderful ability to connect in a meaningful way with donors and ensure they get the connection they are seeking. I find her to be an excellent listener and makes all of us feel valued and important. Carmen is a talented member of the team. I really appreciate her thoughtful approach to the calls. Always perfectly prepared and makes every call feel like the first call. A real talent.
Andrew Auerbach
Major Individual Giving Cabinet Volunteer & Donor
Wealth Management Leader
I live, work, and play in what’s known now as Toronto, a place that has over time been stewarded by the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee, the Wendat, the Chippewas, the Mississaugas of the Credit, and today is home to many Indigenous, Inuit, and Métis peoples, as well as settlers. This is Dish with One Spoon treaty territory — a treaty between the Anishinaabe, Mississaugas and Haudenosaunee that bound them to share the territory and protect the land. A treaty that settlers like me have been invited to uphold in the spirit of peace, friendship and respect.
As a white settler, I aim to be aware of how my work, presence, and participation on these lands contribute to contemporary instances of colonialism. I cannot separate myself from my settler history and the ways that my whiteness operates to marginalize Indigenous peoples in Canada. My land acknowledgement is not enough. I will continue to listen to and learn from Indigenous Peoples so that I can use my privilege to unsettle and disrupt the spaces I occupy.
Questions?
Interested in collaborating?
Carmen Clayton
Fractional Fundraising FAQs
How is this different from hiring in-house?
Access to human and financial resources can be challenging.
Filling a gap in the Canadian nonprofit sector, Fractional Fundraising offers Director level fundraising strategy and implementation services to small nonprofits, within the budget for a junior level fundraiser. You don’t need to choose between a strategic advisor or an implementor; you have someone with a passion for strategy and for getting things done.
How much will it cost?
Your investment is generally between $4,000 and $5,000 per month plus tax. There are no hidden costs and no need to provide me with space, equipment or benefits! It’s a well-known fact that fundraising success takes time and consistency. We start with a 12-month renewable commitment.
What work is included?
Your organization is unique and your fundraising strategy will be unique to your situation and needs. As a fundraising generalist, I can do it all - from individual giving and major gifts, to grant writing and sponsorships. The only things I don't undertake are large events.
I start each engagement with a Strategic Planning process to develop a clear fundraising plan with goals and activities to move your fundraising forward. Then, I do the work!
Implementation means writing appeals, managing your data, working with your program team to write and submit grants, building relationships, managing sponsorships, doing social media, etc. I help you figure out which activities are a priority and then I do them.
Do you guarantee results?
No fundraiser should ever guarantee you results, there are too many factors beyond our control. Fundraising success takes time and consistency. Your results depend on where you are starting, the history of your organization, your current donors and their relationship with your mission.
I guarantee that I will do the most strategic work in the most meaningful way; my goal is to bring you results and for your complete satisfaction with our collaboration.
How many hours a week do you work?
I focus on our agreed upon deliverables and outcomes, not hours. You don’t need to worry about a “meter running”. I am experienced and efficient and take on only the work to which I can commit.