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Consultant Agreement

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Fundraiser Consultant Agreement

This Consulting Agreement (the Agreement) is made between and , a nonprofit corporation organized and existing under the laws of the state of , with its principal office located at , referred to herein as the Organization.

Whereas, Consultant is knowledgeable and has expertise in matters pertaining to promotional events, fund-raising, donor development and donor relations; and

Whereas, Organization desires to hire Consultant to perform certain event organizing, marketing and fund-raising services to assist it in accomplishing the purposes of the Organization;

Now, therefore, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

1. Services

Organization hires Consultant to provide the following services:

A. Advise Organization on ;

B. Give priority to the provision of the services at all reasonable times and use its best endeavors to promote the interests of the Organization and shall faithfully and diligently perform its duties and exercise such powers consistent with them which shall from time to time be necessary in connection with the fulfillment by it of its obligations under this Agreement.

C. Do nothing to bring the Organization into disrepute in any manner whatsoever.

2. Meetings and Reports

Consultant and the Organization will hold regular meetings at for the purpose of reporting progress and discuss future plans and for the Organization and to review the working of this Agreement. In addition to attending such meetings, Consultant will provide to the Organization a written progress report every months while this Agreement is in force.

3. Period of Agreement

A. This Agreement will commence on the and shall continue for a period of (e.g., months) unless terminated earlier under this clause.

B. Either party may at any time terminate this Agreement by giving the other party notice in writing.

C. Organization shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement immediately if Consultant does anything which in the reasonable opinion of the Organization brings, or in its opinion is reasonably likely to bring, the Organization’s reputation into disrepute.

4. Compensation

Organization shall pay Consultant compensation as follows:

A. Organization will pay to the Consultant a fee of $.

B. Consultant will invoice Organization on the first day of each month for on-site services to be rendered in that month, and for additional services rendered and costs advanced on behalf of Organization during the preceding month. Organization shall tender full payment of the amount reflected on each invoice to Consultant within thirty (30) days after receipt. Other invoices for miscellaneous projects and services shall be due and payable within thirty (30) days after receipt, unless otherwise stated on the invoice.

5. Project Expenses

A. Organization shall reimburse Consultant for actual out-of-pocket expenses advanced in the performance of the services described in the prior Section. However, all such expenses must be substantiated by receipts, invoices or other proofs of payment of charges incurred. Out-of-pocket expenses include without limitation long distance telephone charges, airline fares, meals, mileage, lodging outside of , parking tolls, filing or license fees, professional fund raiser's bond premiums, purchase of broadcast television time, and film or tapes.

B. All art work and mechanical costs relating to promotional events, regular media advertising, and promotional materials will be billed at cost plus %.

C. All project expenses described in the prior subparagraph shall be initiated only upon request by Organization, as evidenced by a purchase order or other written form supplied by the Organization. Consultant may submit to Organization a written cost estimate on any project expenses or production event services, but work will not commence until a purchase order or other written authorization is received by Consultant. All contracts and orders will be placed in accordance with Organization's approval.

6. Copyright and Data Protection

A. The copyright in all artwork, copy and any other work capable of being subject to copyright, produced or created by the Consultant at the specific request of the Organization shall vest in the Organization.

B. All artwork and hard copy of such copyright material shall be handed over by the Consultant to the Organization within 14 days of the termination of this Agreement and at any time on the request of the Organization during the currency of this Agreement.

C. The Consultant undertakes with the Organization to maintain all data in a complete and accurate manner including details of all donors to the Organization recruited as a result of the Consultant’s activities and to hand over hard copy and a computer disc of that list each month to the Organization. On termination of this Agreement the Consultant shall hand over to the Organization all copies of the data (in whatever form). The Consultant undertakes that they shall not deal in, exploit or use in any manner whatsoever the data, whether during the term of this Agreement or after its termination.

D. The Consultant warrants and represents to the Organization that any copyright works or documents created by it pursuant to this Agreement or by its personnel or sub-contractors, will not infringe the intellectual property rights of any third party whatsoever.

E. The Consultant undertakes to abide at all times by all relevant legislation and regulations in relation to the discharge by it of its obligations under this Agreement.

7. Indemnity

The Consultant agrees to indemnify the Organization with respect to any costs, claims, loss or liability whatsoever suffered by the Organization (including reasonable legal costs and disbursements) as a result of any breach by the Consultant of any of the terms of this Agreement.

8. Confidentiality

Consultant agrees to treat as secret and confidential, and that it will not at any time for any reason disclose or permit to be disclosed to any person or persons or otherwise any information relating to the Organization’s business affairs or finances (as the case may be) where knowledge or details of the information were received during the term of this Agreement.

Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to create any relationship between the parties except the independent contractor relationship specified in this Agreement, and the parties understand and agree that no license or other right or title is granted under or by this Agreement in the other party's business, enterprises, revenues, business opportunities, operating assets, intellectual property rights or any other tangible or intangible assets or properties.

9. Severability

If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable by a court, the remaining valid provisions shall constitute the entire agreement of the parties without any action by or further notice to the parties.

10. No Waiver

The failure of either party to this Agreement to insist upon the performance of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, or the waiver of any breach of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, shall not be construed as subsequently waiving any such terms and conditions, but the same shall continue and remain in full force and effect as if no such forbearance or waiver had occurred.

11. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of .

12. Notices

Any notice provided for or concerning this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficiently given when sent by certified or registered mail if sent to the respective address of each party as set forth at the beginning of this Agreement.

13. Mandatory Arbitration

Any dispute under this Agreement shall be required to be resolved by binding arbitration of the parties hereto. If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator, each party shall select one arbitrator and both arbitrators shall then select a third. The third arbitrator so selected shall arbitrate said dispute. The arbitration shall be governed by the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in force and effect.

14. Entire Agreement

This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties and any prior understanding or representation of any kind preceding the date of this Agreement shall not be binding upon either party except to the extent incorporated in this Agreement.

15. Modification of Agreement

Any modification of this Agreement or additional obligation assumed by either party in connection with this Agreement shall be binding only if placed in writing and signed by each party or an authorized representative of each party.

16. Assignment of Rights

The rights of each party under this Agreement are personal to that party and may not be assigned or transferred to any other person, firm, corporation, or other entity without the prior, express, and written consent of the other party.

17. Counterparts

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

WITNESS our signatures as of the day and date first above stated.

By:

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What a Consultant Agreement Is and when it's used

A Consultant Agreement is a written contract between a hiring party and an independent consultant that sets the engagement terms: scope of work, deliverables, timelines, fees, expenses, intellectual property assignments, confidentiality, termination rights, and dispute resolution. It documents the parties' expectations and reduces ambiguity about payment, tax classification (independent contractor versus employee), and liability. The agreement may include attachments such as statements of work, rate schedules, or nondisclosure addenda. Electronic completion and e-signature are generally accepted under federal and state e‑signature laws when executed according to ESIGN and UETA standards.

Why a clear Consultant Agreement matters

A well-drafted Consultant Agreement clarifies responsibilities, protects confidential information and intellectual property, reduces exposure to misclassification claims, and creates enforceable payment and termination rules under contract law and relevant statutes.

Why a clear Consultant Agreement matters

Who typically prepares and signs these agreements

Hiring organizations and independent consultants both use Consultant Agreements to define commercial relationships and reduce legal risk.

  • HR and Procurement teams who need consistent vendor terms and classification controls.
  • Independent consultants and contractors who want clear payment, deliverable, and IP terms.
  • Legal and finance departments that must track risk, invoicing, and tax reporting.

Depending on size and complexity, agreements are prepared by internal legal teams, operations managers, or outside counsel and signed by authorized representatives of each party.

Primary signer roles

Hiring Manager

A company employee authorized to engage external consultants and approve budgets. Typically responsible for defining scope, confirming deliverables, and ensuring the contract aligns with procurement and internal policies; often signs with delegated contracting authority.

Independent Consultant

A sole practitioner or contractor who provides services under the agreement. Should confirm scope, deliverables, payment terms, tax classification, and any IP assignment before signing and keep records for tax and compliance purposes.

Security and compliance touchpoints to include

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3; AES-256 at rest
Audit Trail: Comprehensive timestamp and event log
HIPAA BAA: Required if PHI is exchanged
Access Controls: Role-based signer permissions
Two-Factor Auth: Optional signer verification
Document Integrity: Tamper-evident final PDF

Common legal and financial risks

Misclassification: Payroll and tax exposure
Intellectual Property: Unassigned IP can cause disputes
Payment Disputes: Late or nonpayment claims
Confidentiality Breach: Loss of trade secrets
Noncompliance: Regulatory penalties possible
Invalid Signature: Enforceability challenges

Frequent mistakes to avoid when preparing a Consultant Agreement

  • Using vague scope language that leaves deliverables and acceptance criteria undefined, which often leads to disputes over what was promised and when.
  • Failing to specify payment terms, invoicing procedure, and late fees, creating uncertainty that delays payment and increases collection risk.
  • Overlooking tax classification and withholding language, which can trigger IRS or state audits and potential penalties for misclassification.
  • Neglecting to include confidentiality, IP assignment, and data security clauses when the consultant will access sensitive or proprietary information.

Step-by-step completion checklist

Complete the core sections in sequence to create an enforceable agreement that addresses scope, compensation, timing, and signature formalities.

  • 01
    Identify Parties: Enter full legal names and entity types
  • 02
    Define Scope: Describe services, milestones, and acceptance
  • 03
    Set Payment: Specify rates, invoice schedule, and taxes
  • 04
    Sign & Date: Collect signatures and effective date

Typical e-signature workflow for execution

Electronic execution follows a repeatable flow that creates a reproducible record acceptable under U.S. e‑signature laws when intent and retention requirements are met.

  • Upload Document: Prepare final PDF or DOCX for signing
  • Place Fields: Add signature, date, and initials fields
  • Authenticate: Use email, SMS, or stronger ID verification
  • Finalize: Signed copies and audit trail delivered

Core clauses every professional Consultant Agreement should include

Ensure the agreement contains enforceable clauses that address responsibilities, payment, confidentiality, intellectual property, liability, and termination to reduce ambiguity and legal exposure.

Scope of Work

Precise description of services, deliverables, milestones, acceptance criteria, and any related exhibits or SOWs that limit ambiguity and set clear expectations.

Compensation

Rate structure, billing frequency, reimbursable expenses, invoicing details, and any holdbacks or milestone payments to define cash flow and obligations.

Term & Termination

Effective date, duration, renewal terms, termination for convenience and cause, notice periods, and post-termination obligations for deliverables and payments.

Intellectual Property

Ownership and assignment of work product, license grants, and any work-for-hire or retained rights clauses to prevent later disputes over IP.

Confidentiality

Non-disclosure obligations, permitted disclosures, standard of care for confidential information, and duration of confidentiality protections.

Liability & Indemnity

Limitations of liability, indemnity scope, insurance requirements, and remedies for breach to allocate risk between parties.

Practical drafting and execution tips

Use clear, specific language and standardize templates to reduce negotiation time and legal expense while protecting core business interests.

Use an exhibit for scope
Attach a separate Statement of Work that lists specific tasks, deliverables, deadlines, and acceptance criteria. This makes scope updates easier and confines technical detail to a replaceable exhibit.
Include payment schedule
State exact invoicing intervals, payment due dates, acceptable payment methods, and consequences for late payment to avoid disputes and enable predictable cash flow.
Address tax status explicitly
Confirm independent contractor status, require W-9 from U.S. consultants, and include indemnity for payroll tax reclassification to reduce IRS and state audit exposure.
Keep signature authority documented
Require signatories to be authorized representatives and, where appropriate, attach a delegation of authority or corporate resolution to avoid enforceability questions.

Key timing items to set and track

Document milestones and administrative deadlines clearly to support performance measurement and payment processing.

Effective Date:

Date when obligations begin; drives performance and statute of limitations

Deliverable Due Dates:

Specific dates or milestone triggers for each deliverable

Invoice Submission:

Deadline and required backup for invoices

Payment Terms:

Net days (e.g., Net 30) and late fee policy

Termination Notice:

Required notice period for termination by either party

Typical configuration settings for online completion and signing

Configure authentication, field behavior, routing, and reminders to match transaction risk and organizational policy.

Field Configuration
Auto-fill party data Use template variables and saved contacts
Signature order Choose sequential or parallel routing
Authentication level Email link, SMS code, or stronger ID
Reminders Set automatic reminders and expirations

Technical considerations for e-signature and file formats

Confirm the signing platform supports required file formats, authentication methods, and integrations with your systems.

  • File formats: PDF, DOCX, and HTML supported
  • Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Microsoft 365
  • Authentication: Email, SMS, or advanced methods

Comparison of typical eSignature vendor pricing and features

High-level vendor pricing and feature differences for eSignature plans commonly used to execute Consultant Agreements; signNow is listed first for comparison.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
Bulk Send Yes Varies by plan Varies by plan Yes Varies by plan
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan

Frequently asked questions about executing Consultant Agreements

Answers to common questions on enforceability, electronic signing, notarization, tax treatment, and modifying Consultant Agreements in U.S. practice.


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