We Don't Charge Hourly
Hourly billing can unintentionally:
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Create uncertainty
You shouldn't have to wonder how much something will cost or worry about the clock running while you explain your needs.
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Limit collaboration
Hourly models can make clients hesitant to ask questions or brainstorm freely, which often leads to better outcomes.
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Penalizes expertise and efficiency
As we've refined our systems and gotten better at what we do, we can deliver the same (or better) results in less time. Hourly billing would incentivize us to work slower, which isn't in anyone's best interest.
Why we don't charge by the hour
At The Little Lantern Co, we believe the value of our work isn't measured in minutes — it's measured in the results we help you achieve and the light we bring to your mission.
We offer flat-rate support packages designed to give you:
Clarity
You know exactly what's included and what it will cost each month.
Consistency
A steady investment that makes budgeting easy.
Commitment
We focus on delivering the agreed results, not filling a time quota.
Freedom
You can communicate openly without worrying about the meter running.
This approach allows us to spend our energy on creating solutions and supporting your mission — not tracking every minute. It also means you get our full expertise, systems, and tools at work for you, without surprise invoices or hidden fees.
Contract Options
Services & Support for Non-Profits
monthly
3 month
6 month
12 month
All packages can be booked as monthly contracts for maximum flexibility, or as 3, 6, or 12-month partnerships for consistent, long-term support. We don't charge by the hour—because we don't work that way. We believe in fast, focused, quality work that gets results.
Core Support Packages
Build Your Foundation
For organizations that need reliable strategic admin support to create stability while building toward growth. We handle your essential operations with the insight of experienced nonprofit leadership, ensuring every task strengthens your foundation for the future.
You Get:
• Strategic calendar & inbox management
• Meeting coordination (agendas, preparation, follow-up)
• Document creation, preparation & proofreading
• Vendor & resource research with recommendations
• Basic task tracking system
• Monthly operational observations and improvement suggestions
You're Ready for The Ember if:
• Your Senior Leadership handles most admin tasks but it's pulling focus from strategic work
• You have basic systems but they're inconsistent or hard to maintain
• You need reliable support but aren't ready for a full operations partnership
• You want strategic thinking behind your admin work, not just task completion
Additional Optional Add On Services:
Board & Committee Support
$800/month
Meeting prep, documentation, action item tracking, board portal management
Donor Support & Database Management
$700/month
Acknowledgment letters, database upkeep, basic donor communications
Strategic Project Management
$700/month
Full project planning and execution for 1-2 major initiatives, stakeholder coordination, timeline management, risk tracking, regular status reporting and milestone management
Event Coordination (per event)
$500-$1,200 depending on complexity
RSVP management, vendor coordination, day-of tech support
Grant Coordination & Tracking
$600/month
Deadline tracking, compliance calendar, reporting coordination
Multi-Channel Communications Support
$500/month
Email campaigns, newsletter coordination, basic social media scheduling
HR & Onboarding Support
$400/month
New hire documentation, onboarding coordination, personnel file management
Lighten the Load
For organizations that need dependable operational stability to take daily tasks off leadership's plate. We take care of your daily operations — from inboxes and meetings to reporting and task tracking — and provide simple project coordination to keep initiatives on track so deadlines don't slip through the cracks.
You get everything in The Ember Package, plus:
• Day-to-day support or Executive Relief
• Simple project coordination (single initiatives with clear timelines)
• Biweekly check-ins + weekly progress reports
• Simple task dashboard for visibility
• Maintain task dashboards for staff accountability
You're Ready for The Spark if:
• Your Executive Director or Senior Leadership spends more than 10 hours/week on admin tasks
• Important deadlines occasionally slip through the cracks
• You have one or two key projects that need coordination
• You need operational stability to focus on growth
Additional Optional Add On Services:
Board & Committee Support
$800/month
Meeting prep, documentation, action item tracking, board portal management
Donor Support & Database Management
$700/month
Acknowledgment letters, database upkeep, basic donor communications
Strategic Project Management
$700/month
Full project planning and execution for 1-2 major initiatives, stakeholder coordination, timeline management, risk tracking, regular status reporting and milestone management
Event Coordination (per event)
$500-$1,200 depending on complexity
RSVP management, vendor coordination, day-of tech support
Grant Coordination & Tracking
$600/month
Deadline tracking, compliance calendar, reporting coordination
Multi-Channel Communications Support
$500/month
Email campaigns, newsletter coordination, basic social media scheduling
HR & Onboarding Support
$400/month
New hire documentation, onboarding coordination, personnel file management
Grow
For organizations ready to scale and in need of an FTE alternative — a trusted operations partner who provides both execution and leadership-level oversight. More than day-to-day support, we become your operations partner. We take ownership of multiple concurrent projects — managing boards, donors, events, and strategic initiatives — ensuring timelines, deliverables, and communication all run smoothly.
You get everything in The Spark Package, plus:
• Multi-project management (2-3 concurrent initiatives with cross-functional coordination)• Board & committee support (prep, documentation, action tracking)
• Donor support (letters, acknowledgments, donor database upkeep)
• Grant coordination & tracking
You're ready for The Flame if:
• You're managing multiple major projects simultaneously
• Board meetings feel chaotic or unproductive
• Donor relationships need more consistent attention
• You need someone to run your projects, not just coordinate them
• You need a true operations partner, not just task support
Transform
For organizations that want the power of an operations Director + admin team without the cost of full-time staff. At this level, we provide strategic project leadership for complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives that transform your organization.
You get everything in The Flame Package, plus:
• Strategic project leadership (complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives with change management)
• Full donor relations support (campaign tracking, acknowledgments, reporting, engagement)
• HR & staff onboarding support
• Multi-channel communications coordination (email/newsletters/basic social scheduling)
You're ready for The Blaze Package if:
• You're managing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives that require strategic leadership
• Your donor relationships and grant management need systematic oversight
• You want to build lasting operational systems, not just get tasks done
• Your organization is ready to scale and needs the infrastructure to support growth
• You need someone who can train your team and create systems they can maintain independently
• You're undergoing significant organizational change or transformation
Need to customize? During onboarding, we'll work with you to prioritize the activities that matter most to your mission while maintaining the comprehensive support you need.
Little Lantern Co.
Support Packages
Most nonprofits hire either admin support to keep up with the work, or consultants to help with strategy. But what they really need is both. At The Little Lantern Company, we handle the daily operations — the emails, the meetings, the donor follow-up — with the insight of nonprofit leaders who have been in your shoes. Our team has over 15 years of experience in operations management at organizations ranging from grassroots startups to large nonprofits. That means we don't just check boxes. We anticipate needs, align tasks with strategy, and build systems that help your nonprofit thrive long after today's to-do list is done. We believe that administrative support should be efficient, impactful, and built around your nonprofit's unique needs. These packages are designed to offer flexible, high-value service without the constraints of hourly billing.
One-Time Project Add-Ons
(Available with any package)
CRM Cleanup & Training
$2,500
Database audit, duplicate removal, field standardization, staff training session
Grant Management (per grant)
$1,000
Full grant cycle support from application through reporting
File & Operations Audit
$2,000
Complete assessment of your current systems with recommendations report
Retreat/Workshop Facilitation
Custom pricing
Board retreats, strategic planning sessions, team workshops
Ready to Light Your Path Forward?
Your one-time strategic consulting engagements.
We'll assess your current operations and recommend the right package (and any helpful
add-ons) for your unique needs.
30-Day Pilot Option:
Start with any package on a trial basis to ensure the right fit.
Flexible & Customizable:
All packages can be tailored during onboarding to focus on your highest-priority
activities. You're not locked into services you don't need—you're investing in strategic partnership that adapts
to your mission.
Examples of Lighthouse Projects
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Strategic Planning & Roadmapping
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Grant Readiness Assessments
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Board Development & Training
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Program Evaluation Setup
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Communications or Fundraising Audits
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Systems & Process Overhauls
Our Approach
Every Lighthouse Project begins with listening. We take time to understand your organization’s current reality — what’s working, what’s not, and what success truly looks like for your mission. From there, we co-create a customized plan, deliver the project, and provide actionable next steps your team can actually implement.
What You Gain
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Clear documentation and recommendations tailored to your team
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Practical next steps that integrate with your real-world capacity
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A sense of renewed focus and direction — the kind that makes progress possible again
Think of it as a short-term partnership with long-term impact.