Should we give part of a deal to a birddog?

[Mike Robberson]

We have a acquaintance who is looking to partner with someone to do a small multifamily deal.  He out there looking for deals, sending out letters, calling owners, etc.  However, he is a new investor and doesn't have any money to contribute to the deal.  My partner wants to pay him some sort of wholesale fee and not give any ownership until he has money to put in a deal.  

I can see both sides and can't really decide how to handle it if he does eventually find a good deal.  Any thoughts?