Promoting Economic Growth and Building Community

Flyer Consulting is a student-run organization that provides business solutions to nonprofits and small businesses in the greater Dayton area, as well as in Nairobi, Kenya.

Our clients benefit from services ranging marketing and business development to technical solutions and SaaS applications. 

Operating as a real-world consulting firm, Flyer Consulting provides students with opportunities to learn client skills, apply classroom knowledge, take initiative, and gain leadership and management skills.

We also offer microloans to support and advance small businesses.

Group of Flyer Consulting interns


Consulting Services

We work with nonprofits — locally, regionally and internationally — to help enhance their impact. We also provide consulting services to local small businesses who are want to become involved in our Cultural Capital Microlending Program. We invite you to learn more about our services and apply to engage with us.

Marketing Solutions

We analyze your current marketing framework and implement tailored strategies and processes to focus efforts towards your goals and achieve high engagement.

Branding Solutions

Your brand tells the story of your nonprofit. Our consultants will help you create a cohesive brand that conveys your message clearly and accurately.

Brand Perception Evaluation

How your target audience perceives your brand is invaluable to your organization. Our team will conduct research and analyze data to determine the current perception of your brand by those who have interacted with it and recommend how to improve or maintain your brand image.

Brand Architecture

Behind every strong brand lies a solid brand architecture. Our consultants will look at your organization and industry to find the most effective brand architecture for you and recommend steps on implementing and sustaining a strong brand architecture.

Brand Strategy

Brand strategy is what unifies your organization under a strong message. Our team will help you clarify your message and ensure that your brand strategy is cohesive and executable.

Digital Solutions

Digital marketing is an easy and affordable way to reach your target audience. Our consultants will work with you to create a strong digital presence that is consistent across all platforms.

Website
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Driving traffic to your website helps spread the mission of your organization. Our team will analyze your current Search Engine Optimization strategies and recommend ways to drive more targeted traffic to your website.

Website Analysis

Your website is your go-to source of information for your organization. Our consultants will help you decipher your website needs, match you with the appropriate web host, recommend website best practices, and leave you with a user-friendly website tailored to your organization.

Social Media
Social Media Audit

Social Media is one of the easiest ways to connect with your target audience, and it is important to have consistent, clear messaging across all platforms. Our consultants will analyze your current content, create a messaging strategy, and recommend consistent content to post across all platforms. ​

Content Management Tools

Our team has experience working with several different content management services, such as Hootsuite, Buffer, and more. We will determine what platform is best for your nonprofit and provide tips on how to best utilize the platform.

Business Development Solutions

We take a look at your current financial and operational state and help shape the future of your nonprofit for maximum impact on the community. 

Business Analysis

How does your organization compare to your peers and industry? Flyer Consulting provides benchmarking capabilities and insights using your financial data to analyze the health of your organization.

Our team will optimize your nonprofit’s processes and leverage resources specific to your industry to mitigate challenges and optimize opportunities. Our research practices coupled with our understanding of publicly available data will help your nonprofit achieve the desired outcome.

Nonprofit Health Check

Flyer Consulting developed a proprietary model to compare a specific nonprofit’s business metrics to industry averages. We use publicly available data stored in a cloud-based system to conduct a ratio analysis of your nonprofit to identify strengths and shortcomings compared to your industry. This information is displayed on interactive and customizable Tableau dashboards to allow your nonprofit to visualize your financial performance.

KPI Reporting

From the Nonprofit Health Check dashboards, our consultants will provide a report encompassing key performance indicators and their impact on your nonprofit. This report can summarize financial data from your nonprofit’s individual events or complete financial statement information. Through this in-depth financial analysis, your nonprofit can create an effective strategy.

Market Research

One of the keys to any organization is understanding the market in which it operates and the individuals affected by it. Our team uses a collection of resources to compile information about your organization's industry, location, market, peers, and stakeholders that can be used as an instrumental tool in organizational decision making and growth. This information coupled with our financial reports provide a great analysis of your organization's position in your community.

Strategic Growth

How should your organization plan to reach its strategic goals or even begin to develop those goals? Wherever you are on your growth timeline, Flyer Consulting works with you to identify and achieve short-term and long-term strategies.

Capital Campaign

Developing a fundraising plan to gain desired funding for completion of projects is one of the most important initiatives your nonprofit can undertake. Our team will help you develop a plan that identifies potential donors, realistic goals, and a timeline for a successful capital campaign.

Donor Strategy

Developing an actionable plan to sustain current donors and target new donor bases is vital to the growth and sustenance of a healthy organization. We segment your donors based on patterns, potential, and communication channels to develop targeted insights for your nonprofit.

Strategic Planning

Flyer Consulting will work to help clarify the vision of your organization and help you define tactical goals for the future. Our team brings a fresh perspective to help your organization create a competitive business strategy and develop a comprehensive plan.

New Venture Feasibility

Our team works to understand your nonprofit’s goals and vision to develop a clear roadmap for new ventures. We help guide this growth through structured strategies focusing on the project’s market opportunities, financial impact, and operational feasibility.

Technical Solutions

We recommend, implement and optimize software platforms for your nonprofit to digitize your operations and unlock new opportunities. 

Do you know your team is wasting time not using technology or using outdated systems? Our team can recommend technologies that will transform your organization in the digital age. Software as a Solution (SaaS) applications can provide accessible systems that pull in, organize, and provide reports and records of critical data points. These applications save your organizational leaders time and money to focus on more strategic work.

Does your organization already own software that no one knows how to use? Our team provides optimization of existing systems to put the technology you have to work. Our team can also deliver training to your team to ensure this is a sustainable solution.

A strong technology strategy can save your organization from meaningless data and redundant systems. Our team can analyze the existing and ideal state of the data flowing through your organization and the systems it touches. We can then make recommendations on opportunities to connect your organization through technology and data-driven insights.



Microlending

To advise and uplift small business owners, we offer two microloan pipelines. The Cultural Capital Microlending Program is a collaboration with the Greater West Dayton Incubator to support local small businesses. The international microlending program is a partnership with the IMANI Marianists; it supports small business owners around the globe.


Cultural Capital Microlending Program (Greater Dayton Area)

Overview

GWDI fundingGuided by the University of Dayton's Marianist values and community needs, the Cultural Capital Microlending Program provides capital development, loan application assistance and support services. 

Through Flyer Consulting and partnering financial institutions, Cultural Capital provides capital development, loan application assistance, and support services. 

This is implemented through a holistic set of criteria, processes, and products that emphasize impact contributions on under-resourced entrepreneurs, innovators, and creatives. The program utilizes additional services and considerations for low-income residents, main street and lifestyle businesses, and social enterprises that advance the common good by operating in geographically disinvested areas in Greater West Dayton. Preference is also given to entrepreneurs and business owners who have participated in programs and/or services offered through the Greater West Dayton Incubator.

Applicant Criteria

  • Only businesses based in Greater Dayton and planning to create jobs and economic value in the Greater Dayton area are eligible.
  • Minimum of 1 year in operation.
  • Must have proof of licensing and state filings.
  • Must submit quarterly reports of business progression and utilization of funds.
  • All can apply but preference will be given to:
    • Entrepreneurs who are members of the Greater West Dayton Incubator (GWDI), have participated in other GWDI programs, and/or have received other GWDI/Flyer Consulting services and business solutions.
    • Entrepreneurs from historically underrepresented, under-resourced, or marginalized backgrounds.
    • Businesses and ventures that operate within or benefit Greater West Dayton neighborhoods and/or are founded by entrepreneurs from Greater West Dayton.
    • Businesses whose mission aligns with Flyer Consulting's mission and the values of the University of Dayton.
    • The program is not geared towards a specific industry.
  • Evaluated based on the mission of the borrower, the management team, value proposition, financial projections, operating strengths, and market conditions to be explained in more depth below.

Loan Information

Loan Types

Loans can be used for operating costs, working capital, new equipment, website or app development, technology integration, and marketing campaigns, hiring staff including UD interns, etc. The loan cannot be used to pay off other pre-existing debt directly.

Average Loan Size

Flyer Consulting will disburse GWDI microloans to approved borrowers ranging on average between $5,000-$15,000, but also as small as $500 depending on borrower needs and evaluation.

Time Period

The duration of the loan will be individualized to the specific needs of the business, loan type, and risk profile, but the time period will typically be 12-48 months. There will be no early repayment penalties to borrowers that pay the loan in full prior to the stated maturation date. Deferment of initial payments will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Interest Rates

The interest rates of the borrower will be determined based on the loan type, duration of the loan, and risk profile, but the interest rates will remain near prime interest rates and not exceed prime plus 1.

Assessment Process

The goal of this program is to provide funding and support services for entrepreneurs who may be unable to receive funds from a traditional source.

Rather than relying strictly on traditional evaluation criteria, Flyer Consulting uses a standardized evaluation process centered on the 3 P's of credit: Passion, Persistence and Planning. Our criteria have been developed with the influence of traditional credit models and other microlending programs.

Passion
  • Assesses the entrepreneur’s enthusiasm for their business, community, and repayment of the loan.
  • Applicants must demonstrate their ability to align with the Triple Bottom Line framework assessing work through social, environmental, and/or financial success.
Persistence
  • Applicants must demonstrate dedication to the continued success of their business and the communities in which they operate by submitting historical financial statements.
  • Flyer Consulting expects applicants to show entrepreneurial grit as well as the commitment to their business and the repayment of their loan.
Planning
  • Applicants must demonstrate a clear vision of how to execute and sustain their business idea by submitting an organized business plan.
  • We recognize the importance of a lendee being in the position to make loan payments and have a strong plan for the use of the loan.

Application Process

To be considered for the Cultural Capital Microlending Program:

  • Send completed application and requested documents to our Janet White at CityWide Development (jwhite@citywidedev.com). Use the subject Line: "Cultural Capital Microlending Program - (Insert Your Business Name)".

Applicants will be notified of acceptance or denial within 30 days of the application deadline.

All businesses that meet the program criteria can apply. Preference will be given to under-resourced, underrepresented, and marginalized entrepreneurs as well as businesses that support charities, nonprofits, and marginalized communities. While entrepreneurs located in West Dayton Neighborhoods are given preference, everyone is eligible to apply.


International Microlending Program

Overview

Through our international lending vertical, we partner with the Marianists to provide microloans to individuals who have graduated from IMANI's vocational training program in Kenya.

The microloans are funded from a donor-based fund at the University of Dayton, and they help IMANI graduates launch fruitful businesses, ranging from hair salons to welding.

About IMANI

Located in Nairobi, Kenya, IMANI (Incentive from the Marianists to Assist the Needy to be Independent) serves about 350 women and youth per year. The program offers a variety of training courses, helping graduates gain trade skills needed for employment.

Success Stories

Mary operates a school uniform business at Gikomba market in Nairobi. Her loan was just over $1,600, including interest. She used one part to stock up for the peak school uniform sales in January and the other part to open another stall at the same market. From the two sales outlets, Mary recorded very high sales in January and February. From her profits, she managed to purchase two heavy-duty sewing machines. Mary also created jobs for three more people so that she could more effectively handle running both stalls. She has witnessed her business’ impressive growth help support her family and her employees better in several ways.

Teresa has a knitting and dressmaking business that specializes in school uniforms, operating near the Nairobi Central business district. She used her $1,800 loan to boost her stock in materials prior to the start of school. Within the first month, she was able to repay the loan! Additionally, she was able to stock up for the next peak season and even hire two more staff members to continue expansion of her business.


Flyer Consulting Intern Program

Join Our Team

Want to gain real-world experience while supporting nonprofits and small businesses? Apply to the Flyer Consulting Intern Program!

Interns will participate in an eight-week training program that provides the practices, skills and knowledge needed for success. After completing the training program, you'll be assigned to projects with real clients.

Current students can learn more and apply in Porches.

Two consultants working together

Contact Flyer Consulting
31 S. Main St.
Dayton, Ohio 45402
email

50+ students

majoring in business, engineering, math and languages are part of Flyer Consulting. Each project team includes a managing director, project lead and consultants.