Fundraising Leadership Academy

Adrienne%252Band%252BLaverne%252BFLA.jpg

How Can I Participate?

Participating nonprofits are selected by the Fundraising Leadership Academy’s Advisory Council, consisting of representatives from funding organizations. The 2024 cohort has been finalized. To be added to the list of interested organizations for the 2025 cohort, please join the waitlist below.

The Fundraising Leadership Academy (FLA) is a three-month program, from March to June annually, designed by Adrienne to support individuals in vital leadership and fundraising roles at local nonprofit organizations. It is also a space to share best practices, struggles and successes with peers. At the end of the program, participants have a personalized, actionable development toolkit using data and materials from their organization.

This program is designed for a class of 20 development professionals or executive directors who are serious about focusing on fundraising best practices and willing to share openly and learn from peers. The FLA is part of The Columbus Foundation’s Nonprofit Forum. We know that when organizations fundraise effectively, nonprofits thrive and our community is stronger. The consortium of funding companies includes:

  • The American Electric Power Foundation

  • Bath & Body Works

  • Bread Financial

  • The Cardinal Health Foundation

  • Columbia Gas of Ohio

  • The Columbus Foundation

  • Grange Insurance

  • Huntington

  • Installed Building Products

  • Nationwide

Heartfelt thanks to the Inaugural Fundraising Leadership Academy Advisory Council whose belief and investment in the program in 2018 made it possible: Dr. Amy Acton, Karen Blickley, Janelle Coleman, Patti Eshman, Steven Fields, Dale Heydlauff, Cathy Lyttle, Shannon Morgan, Dianne Radigan, Dan Sharpe, and Bobbie Trittschuh.

2024 Fundraising Leadership Academy Advisory Council Members include: Christina Brown, Paulette Burks, Jessie Cannon, Janelle Coleman, Natalina Fickell, Rhoe Fields, Carrie Maun-Smith, Stephanie Campo Merkle, Kelly Clifford Riehl, Kristen Rost, Dan Sharpe, and Vanessa Yahner.

Self-care components are generously provided by Debbie Penzone’s team at LIT Life + Yoga.

This collaborative group cares about your mission, work and impact on the community. Our vision is for this program to be a gift to nonprofits in our community and the many served by them.

FLA+4.jpg

OBJECTIVES

The capacity building work of The Fundraising Leadership Academy is designed to create a stronger community with knowledgeable and empowered fundraising leaders. Demonstrated by the following key results:

  • Building Community

    • Active alumni network

    • Access to community leaders

    • Increased collaboration

  • Knowledge

    • Relevant program content

    • Ongoing alumni education

    • Peer sharing

  • Empowerment

    • Increased confidence in fundraising ability

    • Planned fundraising activities

    • Authentic leadership

Fundraising leadership academy Graduates

2018 Cohort

1.    A Kid Again - Lena Crider

2.    The Childhood League Center - Andrea Grzybowski

3.    Columbus Children's Theatre - Kati Serbu

4.    Communities in Schools of Central Ohio - Travis Dunlap and Amy Gordon

5.    CompDrug - Stephanie Christie

6.    Concord Counseling Services - Vickey Shedlock

7.    Directions for Youth and Families - Mary Margaritis

8.    Furniture Bank - Mary Kay Snyder

9.    Girls on the Run of Central Ohio - Jess Sparks

10. Gladden Community House - Valerie Davis

11. Godman Guild Association - Zachary Matthews

12. Homeport - Laverne Price

13. Junior Achievement of Central Ohio - Beth Tyburski

14. Make-A-Wish - Kate Brunner Quinn

15. Maryhaven - Nanon Morrison and Carrie Burson

16. Ohio Hispanic Coalition - Josue Vicente

17. Resurrecting Lives Foundation - Chrisanne Gordon

18. See Kids Dream - Laura Grindle

19. Seeds of Caring - Brandy Jemczura

20. St. Stephen’s Community House - Natalie Atkins

21. United Schools Network - Diana Wakim


2019 Cohort

1.    Action for Children - Jessica Brown

2.    Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbus - Julie Kirk

3.    Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center - Katie Palmer 

4.    Central Community House - Marci Ryan

5.    City Year Columbus - Ruth-Marie Lomax

6.    Columbus Children’s Theatre - John Faas

7.    Columbus Early Learning Centers - Amy Deverson Roberts

8.    Columbus Urban League - Dominique Shank

9.    Community Development for All People - Mike Premo

10. Dress for Success Columbus - Stephanie Campolo Merkle

11. ETSS (Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services) - Keri Allen-Hogan

12. Family Mentor Foundation - Meegan Jesuele and Kari Vernon

13. Grange Insurance Audubon Center - Kristina Rawson

14. Helping Hands Health and Wellness Center - Sarah Gray

15. Huckleberry House, Inc. - Victoria Alesi and Sonya Thesing

16. Ohio Energy Project - Shauni Nix

17. Ohio Guidestone, Central Ohio - Tiffany Nobles

18. Per Scholas - Toni Cunningham and Sarah Hoenle

19. Short North Alliance - Becca Goodburn

20. SON (Serving Our Neighbors) Ministries - Kim Emch


2020 Cohort

1.    ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) of Ohio - Keely Buckley

2.    Buddy Up Tennis, Inc. - Allison Davis

3.    Columbus Works, Inc. - Beth Gifford

4.    Community Shelter Board - Kacy Wiant

5.    COSI (Center of Science and Industry) - Abby Maenle

6.    CRIS (Community Refugee & Immigration Services) - Tyler Reeve

7.    Freedom a la Cart - Bekah Moran

8.    Gateway Film Center - Alexander Davis

9.    Hospice of Central Ohio - Stacy Geller

10. I Know I Can - Julie Kriss

11. JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) - Jessica Boyd

12. LifeCare Alliance - Kayla Entsminger

13. Lincoln Theatre Association/CAPA (Columbus Association for the Performing Arts) - Diana Pagán

14. Local Matters - Adam Fazio

15. Lower Lights Ministries - Sarah Augenstein

16. Momentum - Liane Egle

17. Oyo Dance - Elizabeth Weiss

18. ProMusica - Matthew Kurk

19. ROX (Ruling Our eXperiences), Inc. - Marti Ridley

20. Star House - Ann Bischoff

21. Susan G. Komen Columbus - Alyssa Petrella

22. Teaching and Learning Collaborative - Kelli Shrewsberry

23. Wellity Education (formerly Youth Yoga Project - Julia Handelman


2021 Cohort

1.    A Kid Again - Cassy Sleeper

2. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio - Ryan Love

3.    The Buckeye Ranch - Kathryn Stephens

4.    Canine Companions for Independence - Matt Levering

5.    Design Outreach - Rhonda Davis-Comoretto

6.    Family Promise aka Family Promise Partnerships - Gwyn Stetler

7.     Fuguees Family, Inc. - Erica Mason

8.    Grange Insurance Audubon Center - Leigh Ann Miller

9.    The Heritage Tours Foundation - Tonya McCreary Williams

10.   Highland Youth Garden - Shelly Casto

11. Mental Health America of Ohio - Michael Anderson

12. NAICCO (Native American Indian Center of Central Ohio) - Ty Smith

13. NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners) Columbus - Yvonne Cherell

14. Netcare Access - Jessica Lilly

15. Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence - Rosa Beltré

16. Sisters of Empowerment - Lois Ferguson

17. Star House - Brittany Hillyard

18. The Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council - James Price

19. Thurber House - Kelly Zwink

20. Veteran Companion Animal Services - Heather Lane

21. YMCA Of Central Ohio - Nick Sheriff

22. Zora's House - LC Johnson

 

2022 Cohort

  1. Charitable Pharmacy of Ohio - R. Taylor Reed

  2. Clarity Ohio - Holly Smith

  3. Creative Living - Theresa Vivona

  4. Eryn PiNK (Image Character Mentors) - Eryn Hathaway

  5. Feed the Kids Columbus - Ashley Kanney

  6. Festa - Erin Arnett

  7. Femergy - Emma Hawkins

  8. Girl Empowerment - Charnetta (Charli) Glenn

  9. Harmony Project - Matthew Schott

  10. House of Hope - Richard (Rick) Mason

  11. Huck House - Jonathan T. Ross II

  12. I Know I Can - Karim Jackson

  13. Jewish Family Services - Diana Schrimpf

  14. Ohio History Connection - Ann Ruege

  15. Rebuilding Together Central Ohio, dba Modcon Living - Amy Flynn

  16. Speak for the Unspoken - Andrea Kochensparger

  17. SproutFive (formerly Southside Early Learning) - Patrick (PJ) Gamble Jr.

  18. TechCorps - Jen Jolliff

  19. Wexner Center for the Arts - Aja Davis

  20. Wexner Heritage Village - Leslie Fulford

 

2023 Cohort

  1. 2nd & 7 Foundation - Stephanie Frey

  2. Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio - Addie Natalie

  3. Charitable Healthcare Network - Nora Lyons

  4. Columbus Recreations & Parks Foundation - Keiana Mitchell

  5. Columbus Speech & Hearing - Bridget Tharp

  6. Community Development for All People - Andrea Wood

  7. Franklinton Farms - Emma Gardner

  8. Ohio History Connection - Anthony Gibbs

  9. Ohio Humanities - Scarlett Rebman

  10. Ohio Victim Witness Association - Elyse McConnell

  11. Per Scholas - Jenn Fowler Howard

  12. Sanctuary Night - Heather Mohrman

  13. Second Nature - Courtney Keys

  14. See Kids Dream - Brenda Buchy

  15. St. Stephen's Community House - Madison Massey

  16. St. Vincent Family Services - Catherine Sherman

  17. United Schools Network - Jennifer Olivieri

  18. United Way of Delaware County - Gina Grote

  19. We Amplify Voices - Nicholas (Nick) D'Andrea

  20. YMCA of Central Ohio - Maryn Weimer

  21. Zora's House - Tamaliyapo Mphande

2024 Cohort

  1. A Kid Again, Central Ohio - Jared Buerger

  2. Actions That Matter For Youth - DeAndra Harrison

  3. Besa - Paul O'Connor

  4. Bridgeway Academy and Bridgeway Therapy Center - Janelle Maur

  5. Cancer Support Community Central Ohio - Raquel Chavez

  6. CAPA (Columbus Association for the Performing Arts) - Emily Kilroy

  7. Children's Hunger Alliance - Anne Marie Wilson

  8. Columbus Gay Men's Chorus - Donovan Jones

  9. Disability Rights Ohio (DRO) - Lyndsey Brown

  10. ETSS (Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services) - Amanda Lynne

  11. Equitas Health - Jessica Dallas, LISW

  12. Form5 Prosthetics Inc. - Aaron Westbrook

  13. Godman Guild Association - Solo Karoulla

  14. Hilliard Food Pantry Plus - Erin West

  15. Leadership Columbus - Kathy Chipps

  16. Nellie's Champions for Kids (NC4K) - Mandy Powell

  17. New Directions Career Center - Noni Banks

  18. One School - Dionna Carter

  19. Parkinson's Foundation - Alexis Caldwell Reber

  20. The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio (formerly CATCO) - Christy Farnbauch

  21. The Reeb Center - Vanesa Mora

  22. The Women’s Center for Economic Opportunity - Keena M. Smith