The foundation of the firm's services is the concept of "Total Development," a belief in the complex, interlocking unity of all areas of institutional life and their inextricable linkage with development success. Browning Associates can provide counsel on all aspects of fundraising – capital giving, annual funds, and planned giving – as well as on governance, strategic planning, head-of-school responsibilities, leadership transition, administrative teamwork, alumni affairs, parent relations, special events, communications, searches for development personnel, and admissions outreach and student recruitment. Other services include attitudinal and feasibility studies, development office audits and organization, and board retreats.

Though Browning Associates serves a wide range of institutions, the majority of our clients traditionally have been independent schools. Thus certain services enumerated above, and some of the particulars that follow, pertain specifically to them.

For non-school clients we provide advice on membership programs, public relations, publications, interaction among administrative departments, obtaining the best possible ratings from the organizations which evaluate non-profits (BBB and Guidestar among others), and prospect research. We provide counsel to presidents, executive directors, and other senior administrators.