Meet CMAC
Our Services About CMAC Letter From Chris Clients Contact Us
Practice Areas
Alumni & Constituent Engagement Annual Giving Alumni Engagement Metrics
Micro-Consulting
Overview Office Hours Alumni Engagement Strategy Lab
Workshops CMAC Podcasts Partners & Sponsors E-Newsletter The NAS

Advancement Consulting Services 

Strategic Thinking. Meaningful Partnership. Lasting Impact.

Our Services Include

We partner with colleges, universities, and foundations to design and implement engagement strategies that drive results. From
one-time assessments to embedded leadership support, our services help advancement teams thrive in a rapidly changing landscape.
Strategic Planning & Roadmaps

Long-term engagement strategy aligned to institutional goals and campaign priorities.
Executive Assessments

Focused reviews of alumni, donor, or volunteer engagement programs with actionable insights.
Alumni Engagement Metrics & Data Strategy

Transform engagement data into strategic action using industry benchmarks like CASE AEM.
Interim & Fractional Leadership

Short-term staffing solutions to stabilize and advance your programs during transitions.
Workshops & Retreat Facilitation

Custom-designed sessions to align teams, build buy-in, and generate new ideas.
Campaign Engagement Strategy

Engagement plans that support your philanthropic goals and drive donor pipeline growth.
Micro-Consulting

Our most accessible consulting services make partnering with any team, at any school or non-profit, simple and easy.
Volunteer Management & Alumni Board Consulting

Strategic partnerships for volunteer programs and board engagement.
Benchmarking & Field Assessments

Learn what’s working across the education landscape.

Strategic Guidance

Strategic Planning for Alumni & Constituent Engagement

Our three-phase planning process is grounded in research, inclusivity, and clarity:  

  • Discovery — We learn your landscape and listen deeply
  • Collaboration — We bring people together across roles and divisions 
  • Testing — We turn ideas into strategies and give you the roadmap to move forward

The result is a plan that’s both actionable and adaptable—built to make a difference now and in the future.
Request a Planning Consultation
Subscribe to our E-Newsletter

Engagement & Advancement Program Reviews

Our integrated assessments evaluate the full scope of your alumni engagement, annual giving, and donor pipeline strategies — helping you pinpoint where to focus for greater impact and growth. We combine data analysis and a proven 24-point framework to assess:

  • Donor acquisition, retention, and engagement-to-giving conversion

  • Strategic alignment with institutional goals

  • Communication effectiveness and ROI

  • Audience segmentation and responsiveness

  • Team structure, capabilities, and cross-campus collaboration

You’ll walk away with a prioritized roadmap and practical recommendations to strengthen your pipeline, elevate engagement, and drive sustainable advancement success.
Discover Micro-Consulting
Request Program Evaluation

Engagement Metrics & Reporting Frameworks

We help you measure what matters — with systems that track real engagement and provide actionable insights. Together, we’ll build models to:

  • Understand communication and event impact
  • Evaluate volunteer contributions
  • Monitor philanthropy behavior and trends

Our approach helps your team use data to make smarter decisions and tell more compelling stories.
Explore Metrics Framework
Request Metrics Consultation

Interim and Fractional Leadership

When you need experienced leadership to maintain momentum or drive transformation, our interim and fractional services provide trusted guidance without the long-term commitment. We embed seasoned advancement professionals to:

  • Lead alumni engagement, annual giving, or broader advancement teams

  • Align programs with strategic goals and institutional priorities

  • Stabilize operations during transitions or organizational shifts

  • Cultivate volunteer boards and strengthen donor relationships

  • Mentor staff and support change management

You’ll gain continuity, clarity, and capacity — with a partner focused on building trust, delivering results, and preparing your team for what’s next.
Inquire about Interim Support

Workshops & Retreat Facilitation

Whether you're launching a new strategy or strengthening team alignment, our customized workshops and retreats are designed to spark insight, clarity, and momentum. We design and facilitate sessions that help you:

  • Define or refine vision, mission, and strategic priorities
  • Strengthen team dynamics and organizational alignment
  • Engage campus partners and volunteer leaders in collaborative planning
  • Generate buy-in for change and innovation
  • Turn ideas into actionable next steps

You’ll walk away with shared understanding, renewed energy, and a clear path forward — all guided by facilitators who know advancement from the inside out.
Book a CMAC Workshop

Campaign Engagement Strategy

A successful campaign isn’t just about fundraising — it’s about mobilizing your entire community. Our campaign engagement strategy services ensure your alumni, donors, and stakeholders feel meaningfully connected every step of the way. We help you design engagement plans that:

  • Align with campaign themes and institutional priorities

  • Leverage alumni networks, volunteers, and ambassadors

  • Integrate storytelling across digital and in-person touch points

  • Build momentum through events, milestones, and activations

  • Turn campaign participation into lifelong connection

You’ll get a strategic roadmap that amplifies your message, deepens relationships, and transforms your campaign into a movement.
Explore Campaign Strategies

Micro-Consulting

Need quick, expert guidance without a long engagement? Our micro-consulting services are designed for advancement teams seeking focused support on a specific challenge or opportunity. In just a few hours, we help you:

  • Pressure-test ideas or refine a strategy

  • Solve a pressing program or staffing issue

  • Evaluate an upcoming initiative or event plan

  • Prepare for a board presentation or leadership meeting

  • Gain clarity on metrics, engagement models, or volunteer structures

You’ll get actionable insights and fresh perspective — fast. It’s targeted, efficient support from consultants who understand your world and speak your language.
Discover Micro-Consulting

Volunteer Management & Alumni Board Consulting

We help transform boards and volunteer groups into true strategic partners by focusing on:

  • Clear roles and purpose
  • Governance and accountability
  • Alignment with your goals
  • Leadership pipeline development

Whether you're refreshing a board structure or nurturing future leaders, we bring tools and insights to move you forward.
Explore CMAC Office Hours
Schedule Board Assessment

Benchmarking & Field Assessments

Looking to see how you compare to peers — or gain insight into what’s working elsewhere? Our benchmarking work includes:

  • Peer institution comparisons
  • Resource and staffing models
  • Digital strategy evaluations

We help you learn from the field while staying grounded in what works best for you.
Meet Our Team
Schedule a Consultation

Implementation Support

Integrated Advancement Consulting

Break down silos and align alumni, development, and comms teams through org design, collaboration, and culture change.

Book a Consultation

Coaching & Training

Executive coaching and skill-building workshops tailored to your advancement goals—practical, people-focused, and impact-driven.

Request Consultation

Interim Staffing

Experienced interim leaders to ensure continuity and momentum during transitions—VP, Director, or project-based support.


Start a Conversation

Alumni Surveys

Uncover alumni attitudes, motivations, and engagement preferences with custom surveys that guide strategy and messaging.

 

Plan a Survey

At CMAC, we believe advancement—when grounded in values and driven by vision—can do more than raise funds; it can transform the future of higher education.

Meet CMAC
Our Services About CMAC Letter From Chris Clients Contact Us
Services
Alumni & Constituent Engagement Annual Giving Alumni Engagement Metrics
Other
Workshops CMAC Podcasts Partners & Sponsors E-Newsletter The NAS