Who We Are

Zacharias Advancement Consulting LLC is a national firm offering counsel in organizational strategic planning, advancement planning, fund raising, marketing communications, and planned giving. Through over twenty-five years of experience and scores of engagements, Alan Zacharias, President, has raised over $851 million of dollars of philanthropic support and helped nonprofit organizations anticipate and manage the challenges of the philanthropic marketplace.

Mission

Zacharias Advancement Consulting serves, equips, and partners with organizations for effective and efficient strategies mission advancement.

Customized, Flexible Services

Because unique circumstances accompany common challenges, Zacharias Advancement Consulting tailors its service to fit the unique circumstances and needs of each client. We will approach this engagement with a creative mindset, work hard to understand the issues beneath the surface, and find the places where a fresh perspective, innovative ideas, additional in-depth experience, or specialized skills can add the most value.

Vision

Zacharias Advancement Consulting strives to provide superior services and client outcomes that ensure institutional effectiveness and mission fulfillment.

Full-Service Resource

Just as the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, the ZAC calls on a network of accomplished colleagues and strategic partners with advancement specialties and relevant expertise to ensure best practices and proven strategies are available to our clients.

Testimonials

“When I arrived at Murray State as a new president, and Alan had already been engaged by our Foundation Board to lay the groundwork for what would ultimately be the largest campaign in the University’s history. He’s been with us all the way through! In working with me—beyond breaking down into manageable, workable steps what seemed at the outset to be a Herculean task—Alan became a key mentor in my presidential role and a valued professional colleague. Half of our fundraising in the recent campaign is supporting student scholarships, so Alan’s dedication and leadership to MSU is truly leaving a legacy for our institution.”

Dr. Randy Dunn
President, Murray State University

“AZA develops the donor leadership that is most critical to meeting campaign goals while also making sure systems are in place for effective, long-term fundraising success. He’s a true professional!”

Fred A. Bleeke
Senior Vice President for Seminary Advancement (Interim), Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

I have had the opportunity to work with many fundraising consultants during my career; many look at their clients as simply another job, Alan looks at how he can make you and your organization successful – to him it is personal. I greatly appreciated his wise counsel, experience, and steady hand throughout our record-setting campaign.

Dr. Robert (Bob)Jackson
Associate Vice President – Institutional Advancement & Campaign Director, Murray State University

“As a school for young Christians, we want all of our leaders, teachers, administrators and staff to not only understand our mission, but to ­live it. We work with Alan Zacharias Associates because they model that attitude as they work with us to help fund this dynamic vision.”

Bob Kasten
Executive Director, Living Word Lutheran High School

” I appreciate how Alan Zacharias Associates uses small steps to greatly expand the achievement of great goals. During Alan’s tenure our institution received the “Most Improved Advancement Program” Award by the Council for the Advancement and Support (CASE). We also completed the largest campaign in our history based on funds raised and stakeholders engaged. We consider AZA a valued member of our team.”

Dr. Dale Meyer
President, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri

“Alan is simply the best when it comes to crafting effective strategies and plans for fund raising success. He is strategic minded, superb with boards and donors, and always finds a way to produce top results no matter the challenges!”

Thomas Bakewell
Bakewell & Associates

“Alan Zacharias isn’t a typical consultant. He has worked in the trenches. He has walked the walk. That makes him that much more credible to your staff, management, and board when he talks the talk, and transforms your advancement efforts in the process.”

John Burgess
President (ret.), Family & Children’s Center, La Crosse, WI

“Alan provides a very collegial atmosphere while constantly pushing us to push ourselves. He is an important partner in ministry”

Dr. Marshall R. Gillam
Executive Director, Lutheran Bible Translators

“Concordia College Alabama, like many 501 (C) 3 organizations is cautious when engaging a consultant. Consultants are expensive and sometimes do not perform as anticipated. Fortunately we have been blessed through our engagement of Alan Zacharias of AZA Consulting. He not only brought tremendous help to our ministry in terms of Mission, Vision, Strategic Initiatives and Comprehensive Campaign – but – he helped bring organization to the development shop, helped us identify professional leadership for the Advancement Office and implanted a system that has helped us identify new prospects and add many new major gift donors.”“Concordia College Alabama has been blessed through its engagement of Alan Zacharias Associates because of his knowledge, work ethic, abilities, and passion. What he has brought to our ministry in the past two years has more than paid for the cost of his services.”

Lloyd Probasco
Chairman, Board of Regents, Concordia College Alabama

“Alan Zacharias Associates LLC is the secret behind Concordia Alabama’s Financial Success. Alan Zacharias and his team developed strategy and programs to reconnect to our donors, identify qualified prospects, and develop new, generous avenues of support. Alan Zacharias Associates’ business ethos is about more than securing funds…it is about ensuring a bright, sustainable future.”

Dr. Tilahun Mekonnen Mendedo