Experts

Tom Ahern
Tom Ahern is often described as “one of the world’s leading authorities” on how to speak properly—and profitably — to donors. He has authored four well-received how-to books on donor communications, with a fifth on the way. Each year, he delivers dozens of workshops internationally on the techniques of (and psychology behind) successful fundraising communications.
Browse Tom’s articles, books, biography.

Nick Allen
Nick has 25 years of experience in building nonprofit organizations, raising money, organizing, and media and public relations. He founded Donordigital when he was director of creative and consulting services at Mal Warwick & Associates, the direct mail firm. He has worked as executive director (and founder) of Neighbor to Neighbor, and Washington director of the Fenton Communications public interest PR firm. In the early 1990s, he spent three years based in Prague, training environmental activists across Central and Eastern Europe. Browse Nick’s articles, books, biography.

Beverly Browning
Beverly Browning has been a grant writing consultant for units of municipal government (fire and rescue specialist), school districts, colleges, social and human service agencies, and other nonprofit organizations for nearly four decades. She has assisted clients throughout the United States in receiving awards of more than $200 million. Dr. Browning is the author of over three dozen grants-related publications, including Grant Writing For Dummies™(2001, 2005, 2009, and 2011 Wiley.com), Perfect Phrases for Grant Proposals (2008), Grant Writing for Educators (2004, Solution-Tree.com), How to Become a Grant Writing Consultant (2001 and 2005, BBA, Inc.). Browse Beverly’s articles, books, biography.

Kent Dove
Kent Dove, one of America’s most successful and respected fundraisers, is Senior Adviser and Executive Director, Campaign Planning, for the Indiana University Foundation. He has served on the educational fundraising committee of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) as well as on the board of directors of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (formerly NSFRE). Browse Kent’s articles, books, biography.

Harry Freedman
Harry Freedman is President and CEO of Strategic Initiatives, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His company provides fundraising counsel for nonprofit organizations planning and implementing special events. A fundraising and marketing professional for more than two decades, Freedman is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, serving on the organization’s International Conference Education Advisory Committee.
Browse Harry’s articles, books, biography.

Cecelia Hogan
Cecilia Hogan is a development researcher at the University of Puget Sound. She is the former president of the Washington state chapter of the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA) and served on APRA’s international board of directors from 1999-2002. Cecilia has been one of the volunteer editors of the Web site and monthly newsletter, Internet Prospector, for more than seven years. Browse Cecilia’s articles, books, biography.

Beth Kanter
Beth Kanter is the author of Beth’s Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media, one of the longest running and most popular blogs for nonprofits. She co-authored the book titled “The Networked Nonprofit” with Allison Fine published by J Wiley in 2010 that received Honorable Mention for the Terry McAdams Award. Beth has over 30 years working in the nonprofit sector in technology, training, capacity building, evaluation, fundraising, and marketing. Browse Beth’s articles, books, biography.

Frank MacGrath is the President of Golf Tournaments Incorporated, a Toronto-based golf event management company. Founded in 1993, Golf Tournaments Incorporated has planned, organized and implemented hundreds of successful fundraising golf tournaments at golf courses throughout Canada as well as numerous specialty golf events, hole in one contests and other golf related activities.
Browse Frank’s articles, books, biography.

Patricia Martin
Patricia Martin is founder and president of LitLamp Communications Group, a marketing firm that counsels clients who need to forge and manage high-performance alliances, including sponsorships. Martin is a popular speaker and workshop leader on topics related to sponsorship and marketing alliances.
Browse Patricia’s articles, books, biography.

Harvey McKinnon, CFRE
Harvey is recognized as one of North America’s leading direct mail experts. He is the author of Hidden Gold: How monthly giving will build donor loyalty, boost your organization’s income, and increase financial stability (Bonus Books, Chicago). An award-winning copywriter, Harvey has won international acclaim for his direct mail packages and has hosted a six-part TV series on fundraising. Harvey has two best-selling training videos and an audio CD of his popular seminar, How Today’s Rich Give (Jossey-Bass), and has written for numerous publications, including Donors, Grassroots Fundraising Journal, and Contributions. He is a columnist for Canadian Fundraiser and a contributing editor to Successful Direct Mail, Telephone and Online Fundraising. Browse Harvey’s articles, books, biography.

Gail Perry, CFRE
Gail Perry is a leader in a new breed of fundraisers. She is the best-selling author of Fired-Up Fundraising: Turn Board Passion into Action (Wiley). Her Fired-Up Fundraising approach, developed over the past 22 years as a non-profit philanthropy expert, has helped organizations raise hundreds of millions in gifts and support. Gail consistently earns rave reviews for her workshops and speeches. She brings fundraising ideas alive, leaving attendees inspired, energized and excited about what they can accomplish. Browse Gail’s articles, books, biography.

Billy is President and Creative Director of Designers Inc. He started his career in the Advertising world and has worked in four major cities — Munich, Montreal, New York and Toronto for some of the largest advertising agencies.
Browse Billy’s articles, books, biography.

Alan Sharpe, CFRE
Fundraising consultant, author and speaker. Publisher of Expert Fundraiser. Author of Breakthrough Fundraising Letters, Mail Superiority, Pushing the Envelope, Lucrative Donor Newsletters and Online Fundraising Secrets.
Browse Alan’s articles, books, biography.

David Valinsky, CAP
David is the founder of David Valinsky Associates. With more than 25 years of fundraising experience, he is the co-author of The Mercifully Brief, Real World Guide to Raising Money Through Bequests. Prior to founding the firm in 1998, he served in both national and regional senior development roles with the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor Foundation, a national Catholic health care organization with facilities in six states. One of his most meaningful experiences was serving as the lead adjunct consultant in fundraising for US AID in a three year partnership with several recovering cities in Croatia.Browse David’s articles, books, biography.

Julia Ingraham Walker
Julia Ingraham Walker is a senior advancement professional and fundraising consultant who has developed an expertise in capital campaigns and nonprofit fundraising over her 25-year career in development. Ms. Walker has developed a national reputation as a speaker, workshop leader, and conference panel member. During her tenure at Tulane University, she hired, supervised, and directed the activity of a large staff of major gift officers both in and out of campaigns for over ten years. Browse Julia’s articles, books, biography.

Stanley Weinstein, ACFRE
Stanley has spent 42 years in the nonprofit sector. As a distinguished consultant and the president of Stanley Weinstein & Co., he has provided services for more than 300 nonprofit organizations nationwide.
Browse Stanley’s articles, books, biography.