Professor. Practitioner. Strategist.
Helping nonprofits rethink how they fund their work—through strategy, structure, and sustainable revenue systems.
As the director of Mission Driven Fundraising Institute, I ensure our approach is grounded in academic research, industry best practices, and real-world nonprofit experience. Our core goal is helping nonprofit leaders make sense of fundraising in a world full of information. We are committed to teaching fundraising with a governance lens and guiding organizations in creating structures that support their long-term goals. Our approach focuses on developing effective systems that enable organizations to operate efficiently and adapt to changing needs, always keeping their mission at the center of every decision and process.
Translating research into practical insight
Connecting fundraising to governance and oversight
Helping leaders focus on what actually matters
That experience shaped how I see this work. Because at its core, this has never just been about fundraising. It's about people. It's about impact. And it's about making something meaningful possible.
Kelly Rogers, PhD
Founder, MDFI
Over time, that early experience turned into a career working across a wide variety of sectors. And across all of them, I saw the same thing — Organizations doing incredible work…while trying to operate with limited resources, limited time, and limited support. Always trying to do more with almost nothing.
Financial Assistance Programs
Finance
Theater & Arts Organizations
Culture
Domestic Violence Shelters
Safety
Foster Youth Programs
Youth
Special Needs Organizations
Access
Film Festivals
Media
Health Clinics
Health
Financial Assistance Programs
Finance
Theater & Arts Organizations
Culture
Domestic Violence Shelters
Safety
Foster Youth Programs
Youth
Special Needs Organizations
Access
Film Festivals
Media
Health Clinics
Health
Theater & Arts Organizations
Culture
Financial Assistance Programs
Finance
Health Clinics
Health
Film Festivals
Media
Special Needs Organizations
Access
Domestic Violence Shelters
Safety
Foster Youth Programs
Youth
Nonprofits are doing extraordinary work, but many are still relying on outdated fundraising strategies while navigating an overwhelming flood of advice, tools, and opinions. The real challenge isn’t a lack of effort—it’s a lack of clarity. As fundraising evolves, partnerships become more strategic, and expectations around accountability grow, organizations are often left without clear guidance on how to adapt. The issue isn’t access to information; it’s knowing how to interpret it, structure it, and apply it effectively in a rapidly changing landscape.
Board retreats, workshops, and long-term engagements — each one designed to leave the organization operating on a different level than when it started.
Kelly transformed our board's relationship with fundraising in just one session. Her ability to turn fear into confidence — and overwhelm into clear, actionable steps — was remarkable. Our board left energized, aligned, and finally excited to participate in fundraising.
Natalie Reider
CEO · Spark Point Center
Kelly gave us a language for our mission we didn't know we were missing. After her workshop, our staff and board were finally speaking with clarity and confidence. Donors immediately noticed the difference.
James Munoz
Development Director · CA Standing for Adult Literacy
Kelly is the most engaging and effective board retreat speaker we've ever brought in. She made fundraising approachable, inspiring, and — even for our most reluctant board members — doable.
Cheryl Borden
Board Chair · Orange Crest Foster Youth
Association of Fundraising Professionals
AFP California Desert Communities Chapter
Clarity is what turns effort into results.
Clarity is what turns information into action.
