Learn How I (Case Studies)

I raised $1M with no network

At a small social enterprise, I was tasked with stepping into the Interim CEO role and raising at least $1M in funding within a year to unlock a multi-year program-related investment (PRI) we had received, enabling us to rapidly scale our operations over three years. We needed multi-year, six-figure funding, so with assistance from the Board, I cultivated relationships with high-net-worth donors and corporate partners aligned with our mission but not part of our network. Within a year, we received two six-figure gifts totaling $1M, enabling us to triple our operations and impact over the next three years.

Mobilized philanthropic capital for the public good

As the Managing Director of a new public-private partnership, I became the bridge connecting city government, early-stage startups, and civic investors. My mission was to unite these distinct voices, helping them to define problems collectively and work as a true team. I worked to cultivate trust, going beyond routine meetings to ensure that people could join forces and overcome power imbalances.

I partnered with government leaders and investors to design a transparent assessment process, ensuring applicants received a fair evaluation and decision-makers could trust the outcome. In board meetings, I translated complex technical and policy decisions into clear, understandable language, making it easy for everyone to agree on shared investments.

As a result, our team mobilized $1.1M across 11 funded pilots, evaluated hundreds of applicants through a co-designed process, and built a pipeline of 100+ cross-sector partnerships in under two years, spanning government agencies, investors, and entrepreneurs.

Coached frontline fundraisers to move from transactional to transformational fundraising

At a national nonprofit, our local offices had institutional funders but struggled to reach major donors. I learned they used fundraising tactics aimed at corporate donors that didn't resonate with individuals seeking to partner in transforming communities. Through workshops and conversations, I created simple playbooks for the teams to map each donor’s journey from initial gift to long-term partnership. The goal was honest communication, clear impact, and alignment with donor values. As a result, we improved fundraising practices nationwide, creating a relationship-centered culture for donor families.

Client Testimonials

Hetal Jani, Founder and Executive Director

"Connie understands your goals and finds funding partners we can trust. She offers tools and insights, highlighting philanthropy as a shared partnership. This helped me adopt an abundance mindset, vital as a founder without a friends-and-family round."

Elizabeth Scharpf, Co-Executive Director

"Connie became a thought partner with me on what to prioritize and how to structure a process with achievable milestones. She brought clarity, a road map, and tangible outcomes. One of the most valuable things she provided was a method of co-creation when I felt alone in my endeavors."

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