My Purpose
I’m a dynamic nonprofit leader who speaks from the heart and from experience. I’ve spent more than three decades guiding nonprofits in raising revenue and leveraging communications. I know sustainable fundraising and strategic communications are inherently linked to a nonprofit’s ability to actualize their mission. Understanding how to put that knowledge and experience into action and is one my greatest strengths - and what I bring to your organization.
My Origin Story
My nonprofit journey began in high school. I joined a service club - Teens Who Care - that helped marginalized people have a better quality of life. Each month we brought cake to nursing homes for birthday parties with residents. We sang holiday songs with children and adults with special needs in their residential facilities. And, we volunteered with the Special Olympics. Then the seniors graduated which left me the sole member! I found a teacher to sponsor the club and we set to work. I created my first direct appeal letter. I wrote my first grant proposal, and presented my case for funding to community groups. I gave membership pitches at the podium in the school auditorium. Both the fundraising and membership recruitment was successful. We became sustainable and grew from 1 to 75 members. Upon a visit to my alma mater in 1992, I was thrilled see halls plastered with Teens Who Care signs. Membership had hit the 200+ mark.
This early experience laid the foundation for my life’s work.
At the University of Louisville, I studied Public Relations and chased after real world experience. I landed a position at a PR agency as an Assistant Account Executive with the majority of my clients from the nonprofit or government sector. Upon graduation, my portfolio was chock full of my work including newsletters, brochures, feature stories, press releases and news clips. The strategy paid off – my first salaried position post-graduation was as a Communications and Development Director for a residential children’s home and early learning/child development center. As a new position to this 125 year-old organization, I rebranded this former orphanage with a communications strategy focused on visibility and a modern look. I rolled out a new logo, monthly newsletter, conducted a speaking tour to 50+ faith-based organizations and secured television interviews. We needed to update our transportation and get the kids out of the yellow bus with “orphanage” on the side so I led their first direct mail campaign. We exceeded our revenue goal. Not only did we purchase the van, we equipped the library with computers.
This early work solidified my passion for bringing my skills to the nonprofit sector. You can learn more about my work over the years under Results and Experience.
“Elizabeth has keen insight, with a superb ability to listen, and offers solutions that match amazingly well to the situation. She inspires and motivates me to tap into my organization’s full potential.”
— Kathleen Allen, Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra Executive Director
Contact me for a consultation.
Let’s talk about your needs and what I can bring.