ACN Resilience In Practice Series
Fundraising Through the Storm:
A Consultant's Toolkit for Guiding Clients to Success
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
10:30 am - 11:30 am CST
MEMBERS ONLY
September marks the critical preparation phase for year-end campaigns, making this the perfect time for us to connect as fundraising consultants and share what we're seeing in the field during these extraordinary times. As we enter the sector's most demanding season, we need each other's insights on what's working and what's falling flat so that we can be at the ready with proactive information for our clients.
Together, we'll examine the current fundraising climate as it unfolds this fall, comparing notes on donor engagement, emerging tactics, and approaches that are delivering results for our clients. We'll discuss the challenges we're facing, strategies we're testing, and practical ways to guide organizations through the year-end push.
This is our opportunity for honest conversation about resource constraints, client expectations, and real-world solutions. Come ready to share your experiences and learn from fellow consultants navigating the same complexities. We'll leave with fresh perspectives and actionable insights for supporting our clients through the season ahead.
FACILITATOR:
Michele Walls, CFRE, SHRM-CP
Principal Consultant | mw-strategies.com
Michele has raised more than $30 million for small and mid-sized organizations through her fractional fundraising, advancement, and management/HR practice. As a fractional chief development officer (fCDO), chief advancement officer (fCAO), and chief operating officer (fCOO), she brings over two decades of leadership experience to nonprofits across arts, education, cultural, and social justice sectors.
Michele specializes in the unique intersection of fundraising and human resources, recognizing how these areas influence every facet of an organization. Through her boutique agency, MW Strategies, she provides strategic support to U.S.-based organizations with annual budgets of $ 250,000-$5 million and small teams. She works with leadership to develop data-driven strategies and stories that build lasting donor relationships, optimize operations, and drive organizational success.
Her integrated approach spans major gifts, annual campaigns, capital projects, and grant writing, combined with organizational development and team building. Michele creates leadership structures, streamlines operations, and guides organizations through scaling and leadership transitions, emphasizing cross-departmental collaboration and revenue maximization for long-term sustainability.
Michele serves on the boards of CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia, a fiscal sponsor and management commons for the arts, heritage, and creative communities, and the Association of Consultants to Nonprofits. A New York City native, Michele has called Philadelphia home since 1999. She holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Delaware and a Master of Science in Arts Administration from Drexel University. Michele enjoys running, cooking, reading, and exploring Philadelphia's vibrant cultural scene, from its music venues and museums to its restaurant offerings and sports venues.
Please send an email to execdirector@acnconsult.org with questions.
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