How we work together

Two ways to work with us. No surprises in either.

Hire us for a project with a clear finish line, or keep an expert on call for a flat monthly fee. Either way you always know what we're doing, what it costs and what comes next.

Option 1

Projects

For a goal with a finish line.

FreeDiscovery and report to start. Then an estimate for the work.
  • A free Discovery and report that's yours to keep, even if you don't hire us
  • At least one meeting with you every week
  • A written status report every Friday
  • Mockups you approve before we build
  • Training and documentation before we hand over
  • Dustin on every project, from discovery to handover

Good for

Architecture review and fixesData cleanupsSystem migrationsSystem implementationsAI for teamsVolunteer portalsClass registrationFeedback systemsIntegrationsSecurity audits
Option 2

Expert on demand

For ongoing help as your goals change.

Flatmonthly fee, with unused hours banked for later.
  • One flat monthly fee, with no surprise invoices
  • A set number of expert hours each month
  • Bank up to 3 months of unused hours, so a quiet month isn't wasted
  • Ask questions, request fixes and small builds as they come up
  • A monthly summary of what we did and what's next

Good for

Salesforce adminReports and dashboardsNew fields and automationsStaff questionsKeeping AI skills currentPortal updatesIntegration fixes

Every project starts here

Discovery and report

One to two weeks of discovery that's valuable on its own. We find out what your organization is trying to accomplish, what's realistic now and what it will take, then put it in writing.

Meet the key people

A first 90-minute session with your systems lead, program managers and executives, then time with fundraising, program and finance teams.

Walk through your systems

We look at your current tools, the data inside them, how it's structured and where its quality breaks down.

Today, ideal and magic wand

How the work happens now, how it should happen and what you'd want if anything were possible, so nothing important gets missed.

Narrow the goal

The highest-value goal isn't always possible yet. We work through it with you until the goal is clear and reachable.

Build, buy or keep

Research on the products that fit, weighed against your budget and what your team can realistically run day to day.

Now, next and later

What belongs in this project, what comes right after and what should wait for a later one.

You get a written report with the scope, a timeline and what we found, including quick fixes you can make yourselves. If you'd like us to do the work, we'll follow up with an estimate.

Request a free Discovery and report

Side by side

Which one fits?

ProjectsExpert on demand
Best forA specific goal with a finish lineOngoing help, maintenance and improvements
How it startsA free Discovery and report, then an estimatePick a monthly plan
PricingEstimated per projectFlat monthly fee
MeetingsAt least weeklyWhen you need them
UpdatesWritten status report every weekMonthly summary
Unused timeDoesn't applyBank up to 3 months of unused hours
When it endsWhen the work is done and handed overWhen you decide

You can also start with a project and move to Expert on demand once it's handed over.

Weekly status report

You'll always know where things stand

Every Friday during a project, you get a short written report: what got done, what's next, what we need from you and whether we're on budget. It's written so you can forward it to your director or board as is.

Questions

Common questions

Is the Discovery and report really free?

Yes. It usually takes one to two weeks of interviews, system walkthroughs and back and forth with your team. Sometimes the report says your setup is fine and lists a few things to fix yourselves. Either way, it's yours to use, including with another consultant.

How do you price projects?

After the Discovery and report, we send an estimate based on the scope and timeline in it. You'll see it before any work begins, and if anything changes along the way, we tell you in the weekly report before it affects your bill.

How does carry-over work with Expert on demand?

Hours you don't use in a month roll forward. You can bank up to 3 months of unused hours at a time.

Can we switch from a project to Expert on demand?

Yes, and most clients do. Once a project is handed over, Expert on demand keeps it running and lets you keep improving it.

How do you handle our data?

Data privacy comes first in every project. Before anyone on your team uses AI with real records, we agree in writing what data can go into which tools, what needs a human check and who approves new uses.

Do you only work with Salesforce?

No. We start with your goal and pick the tool that fits it. Most of our work is in Salesforce, and we also work with donation platforms, accounting systems, custom portals and AI.

Who will we be working with?

Dustin Cole, the founder, on every project. He scopes the work and stays on it through handover, so nothing gets lost in a handoff. Mike Choi advises and works alongside him.

Start with a free Discovery and report

Send a few lines about what you're trying to accomplish. We'll reply within one business day to set up a call.

Request a free Discovery and report