Columns Fundraising Welcomes Elizabeth Gaines to Our Team!
Elizabeth brings to Columns more than twenty years of experience in creative project management, nonprofit marketing, and digital advertising.
She has directed high-profile digital campaigns for global brands like Verizon, THC, Rachael Ray, and Toyota, with expertise in content and brand strategy, campaign optimization, and team leadership.
Elizabeth Gaines Joins the Columns Team
in General News, New Hire/by ColumnsColumns Fundraising Welcomes Elizabeth Gaines to Our Team!
Elizabeth brings to Columns more than twenty years of experience in creative project management, nonprofit marketing, and digital advertising.
She has directed high-profile digital campaigns for global brands like Verizon, THC, Rachael Ray, and Toyota, with expertise in content and brand strategy, campaign optimization, and team leadership.
Welcome Toni Dixon
in General News, New Hire/by ColumnsColumns Fundraising is pleased to announce that Toni Dixon has joined our firm as a senior consultant.
Toni is a multi-tasking nonprofit development consultant and gifted storyteller with an entrepreneurial spirit. With 15 years of experience in development and grant writing, Toni has a track record of exceeding annual revenue goals and leading teams to success.
Birgit Burton Joins Columns Team
in General News, New Hire/by ColumnsThe partners and consultants of Columns Fundraising are pleased to welcome former AFP Global Chair Birgit Burton as a senior consultant.
Birgit Smith Burton served for 26 years at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she led the institution’s Foundation Relations team in raising over $700M from private philanthropic foundations to support programs, scholarships, and capital projects.
Yes, they have a face for radio
in General News, Non-Profit Sector/by ColumnsColumns partners Mark Wilkison and Wes Wicker joined host John Ray on North Fulton Business Radio X here in the Atlanta area to discuss nonprofits and nonprofit fundraising. They shared the needs they see when they engage with a client, some of the common issues nonprofits face, the state of giving in the current economic climate, and much more.
If you’d like to listen to the conversation, you will find the podcast here.
Welcoming Ken O’Kelley
in General News, New Hire/by ColumnsThe partners and consultants of Columns Fundraising are pleased to welcome Ken O’Kelley as a senior consultant.
A graduate of the University of Georgia, Ken has 33 years of experience working with nonprofits serving youth and leading youth-focused programs. He has expertise in cultivating and working with advisory boards, fundraising, marketing, and strategic planning to drive organizational growth.
Welcoming Eve Powell
in General News, New Hire/by ColumnsEve most recently served at the United Way of Greater Atlanta as the Senior Director of Planned and Leadership Giving. She led the efforts to increase planned gifts as well as securing numerous principal gifts. She started her development career at Mile High United Way in Denver, and has worked within the United Way system for over 18 years. She has also led development efforts in other non-profit organizations, including the Women’s Foundation of Colorado and the Anti-Defamation League.
Welcoming Len Al Haas
in General News, New Hire/by ColumnsFor nearly 40 years, Len Al has provided fundraising, planning and technology consulting services for nonprofits ranging from social service and healthcare organizations to educational institutions and professional associations. Len Al’s interest in nonprofits and development was heavily influenced by his grandmother, Atlanta fundraising pioneer Be Haas. He began his career working in development and alumni affairs at Georgia State University, and later served as development director for Hillside, which provides mental health services to children, adolescents and families in Atlanta. Following in Be’s footsteps, Len Al founded Haas Consulting in 1990, after having had the privilege of her tutelage and mentoring while working alongside her at an Atlanta-based fundraising consulting firm.
Welcoming John Floyd
in General News, New Hire/by Columns FundraisingJohn joins the Columns Fundraising team with over 30 years of experience serving nonprofits as an advocate, volunteer and professional. Holding both an MBA from Harvard Business school and a CAP (Certified Advisor in Philanthropy) from the American College, John’s education and professional experience will be an asset to our team.
His past roles – including director of development at the Marcus Autism Center, head of foundation relations at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and planned giving officer at the Carter Center – all provide him with a wealth of knowledge that will better support our clients.
Can You Hear Me Now?
in General News, Non-Profit Sector/by Columns FundraisingA valid criticism leveled at nonprofit organizations is their inability to keep professional staff. Indeed, development officers come and go so quickly, it’s difficult to establish meaningful relationships with a nonprofit when the faces are constantly changing.
Why Your Board Members Don’t Show Up
in Boards, Miscellaneous, Non-Profit Sector/by Columns FundraisingWhen our firm begins a relationship with a new or prospective client, we often hear the same things over and over again from the staff of a non-profit organization. These include: “Our board members don’t attend meetings. Our board members are not engaged. Our board members don’t give to the organization. “ Conversely, from Board members we often hear: “I love the organization, but I’m not sure what they expect of me.” And, “I don’t know my terms of service. I don’t know how many times I can be (or have been) re-elected. I was asked to join the board, but no one told us how long we’d be on it.” A mutually enjoyable board-level relationship begins in the very first conversation about service. Here are five simple items the potential Board nominee and staff should discuss: