501(c)(6) Association Management

Your Board Leads. We Run Everything Else.

Kelly Dando Consulting is a full-service association management company (AMC) specializing in 501(c)(6) trade and professional associations. Since 2014, we have managed the day-to-day operations of 70+ associations and chapters nationwide so volunteer boards can focus on strategy, not administration.

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Why an AMC

Why 501(c)(6) organizations choose an AMC

Trade and professional associations run on volunteer leadership. Board members rotate every year or two, institutional knowledge walks out the door, and the same three people end up doing all the work. An AMC solves that.

Kelly Dando Consulting acts as your permanent staff, providing continuity across board transitions, professional execution of member-facing programs, and compliance oversight that protects your tax-exempt status.

  • 70+Associations managed
  • 60+CFMA chapters
  • 12Years in business
  • USNationwide, remote team

What you get

Why boards choose KDC

Continuity Through Board Turnover

Your board changes. Your management should not. KDC preserves institutional knowledge, documented processes, and vendor relationships year over year, so every incoming president starts from momentum, not zero.

Built for 501(c)(6) Compliance

We understand the rules that govern trade associations: annual filings, state registrations, unrelated business income considerations, and the documentation your accountant and the IRS expect. We keep your organization in good standing so your board never gets a surprise letter.

Full-Service, Six Service Lines

Association management and board support, event and conference management, membership engagement, marketing and communications, social media, and technology and systems. One partner, one point of accountability.

Deep Chapter Expertise

KDC manages more than 60 CFMA (Construction Financial Management Association) chapters, plus organizations across the built environment and professional services. Nobody in the country runs more construction-industry association chapters than we do.

Explore all six service lines on our services page.

Who we serve

Built for organizations like yours

  • Trade associations and industry groups organized under 501(c)(6)
  • Professional societies and certification bodies
  • Local and regional chapters of national associations
  • Emerging associations formalizing operations for the first time

How engagement works

Three steps to go-live

1. Discovery call

We learn your structure, pain points, and budget. You learn how our pricing works.

2. Transition plan

We document what exists today, build the handoff plan, and set a go-live date. Typical transitions take 30 to 60 days.

3. Ongoing management

Your board gets a dedicated account manager, monthly reporting, and a team that already knows how associations run.

Client stories

Trusted by chapter presidents nationwide

“Throughout a decade plus of experience, it is no surprise that KDC is the nucleus of our chapter!”

Zach Miller
Board President, CFMA DFW

“As a new chapter who was referred to KDC, I can honestly say we wouldn’t be where we are today without their knowledge and expertise! Their team is dedicated, responsive, and collaborative.”

Michael Marino
Chapter President, CFMA Mississippi

“Their team consistently brings thoughtful insights and creative ideas to the table, helping us move forward with clarity and confidence.”

Lauren Nelson
KCHP

Common questions

501(c)(6) management, answered

What is a 501(c)(6) organization?
A 501(c)(6) is a federal tax-exempt status for business leagues, trade associations, chambers of commerce, and professional organizations. Unlike 501(c)(3) charities, 501(c)(6) organizations exist to advance the shared business interests of their members. Membership dues are generally deductible as business expenses rather than charitable contributions.
What does an association management company (AMC) do?
An AMC provides professional staffing and operational management to associations that do not have their own employees. Services typically include membership management, event planning, financial management, board support, communications, and compliance. The association keeps its own board, brand, and bank accounts; the AMC runs the operations.
How is an AMC different from hiring an executive director?
An AMC gives you a full team for roughly the cost of one employee, with no payroll, benefits, HR liability, or key-person risk. If your account manager is out, the work still gets done. AMCs also bring documented processes and cross-association best practices that a solo hire cannot.
Can an AMC manage a 501(c)(6) with volunteer leadership?
Yes. That is the most common model. The volunteer board sets strategy and policy; the AMC executes. KDC works with boards ranging from three officers to fifteen-member boards with committees.
How much does association management cost?
Every association is different, so KDC provides custom pricing scaled to your organization’s size and service needs. Pricing depends on membership size, event calendar, and which of our six service lines you need. A discovery call is the fastest way to get a clear, tailored quote.
Does KDC work with chapters of national associations?
Yes. Chapter management is our core specialty. We manage more than 60 CFMA chapters plus chapters and affiliates of other national organizations, coordinating with national offices on branding, data, and compliance requirements.
Where is KDC located, and do you work nationally?
KDC is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with a fully remote, US-based team managing associations nationwide.

Ready to give your board its time back?

Tell us about your organization. We’ll show you what professional management looks like for a 501(c)(6) your size.

Book a Discovery Call