To choose an association management company (AMC), define your needs and budget, issue a request for proposals (RFP) to a short list of firms, interview finalists, and check references. Focus on who will actually serve your association, how the AMC handles transitions, what is included in the fee, and how success will be measured. Most searches take three to six months.
Step-by-step selection process
- Form a search committee of three to five board members with a clear decision-making mandate.
- Document your needs: functions to cover, membership size, budget, meetings, certification, and systems.
- Write and issue the RFP with a response deadline of three to six weeks. Allow for question and answers.
- Score proposals against agreed criteria.
- Interview two to four finalists and meet some of the team who would serve you.
- Check references.
- Review the agreement: scope, fee, pass-throughs, term, data ownership, and exit terms.
- Plan the transition with clear milestones for the first 180 days.
What to include in an AMC RFP
- Your mission, structure, membership, budget, and current staffing
- Functions you want covered and any you will keep in-house
- Key events, certification programs, and annual cycles
- Strategic plan and outcomes you would like to achieve
- Current systems and vendors
- Selection timeline, evaluation criteria, and contact person
Free download: AMC RFP template and scoring rubric
Start your search with a ready-to-use RFP and a matching scoring tool for your search committee.
- AMC RFP template (Word): fill in your association profile, services needed, proposal requirements, evaluation criteria, timeline, and pricing and reference forms.
- AMC proposal scoring rubric (Excel): up to five reviewers score each proposal 1–5, and the workbook ranks firms automatically and compares three-year pricing.
Red flags
- Senior leaders in the pitch who won’t be on your account
- Vague answers on fees and pass-through markups
- Required platform changes before understanding your needs
- Contracts that make it hard to retrieve your data
Send NorthStar your RFP
We respond to every RFP with a tailored proposal and a named team. Submit your RFP or request a proposal →
Talk with a senior NorthStar leader
Every conversation starts with a 30-minute call with a senior leader, not a sales rep. We listen first, then tell you plainly whether full-service management, a project, or fractional leadership fits your situation. Sometimes that answer is “not yet.”