About Courtney

Hey, I’m Courtney!

I’m a fundraiser, organizer, and all-around nonprofit enthusiast based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Since 2015, I’ve been fundraising and storytelling for nonprofits of all mission types including arts & culture, environment, capacity building, homelessness, and more.

Here are some of the things I really enjoy working on:

  • Direct mail appeals (and making them interesting)

  • Storytelling and writing copy that moves people from “meh” to “amazing!”

  • Strategic planning and DEIB integration

  • Organizational culture building and design

  • Stewardship and cultivation strategy development

  • Helping BIPOC folx navigate working in nonprofits and helping white leaders create the conditions for BIPOC employees to thrive

  • Grant writing and funder relationship development

  • Dismantling fundraising myths

What is “kwandae?”

In Korean, 관대 (kwandae) means generosity. I believe in the power of generous acts to transform community from “me” to “we.”

관대합시다.

Let’s be generous, together.

Q&A

  • As one of the co-founders of Community-Centric Fundraising - Minnesota, I’m a die-hard advocate for fundraising that is genuine, rooted in community wellbeing, and justice. I believe fundraising and philanthropy should feel good, not icky! My goal is to help others build fundraising practices and strategies that prioritize people over profit.

  • Our work together will depend on the type of project we decide to take on. If you want to work through how to implement DEIB practices into your fundraising or leadership, then I’m here to coach you through that! If you need someone to write your year-end fundraising letter, then I can copy write for you!

    Before we even start working together, we’ll have a one-on-one conversation about expectations, goals, timelines, and more.

  • I work best with small-to-medium size organizations that are building their fundraising program or ramping up their individual giving efforts significantly.

    I also work well with organizations (of any size!) on DEIB strategies and authentic storytelling.

    However, some projects that I’m not well-suited to help you with include: capital campaigns, database migration, and gifts of land, property, or other non-financial donations.