Hi, I’m Carol!
I've spent the past 20 years in the nonprofit sector, leading teams and helping organizations navigate growth, change, and the challenges that come with both.
Before founding Breakthrough for Good, I served as Chief Development Officer for a $10M nonprofit, overseeing fundraising and marketing and building the development function from the ground up.
Today, I work alongside nonprofit Executive Directors and development teams as a Fractional Chief Development Officer and strategic advisor. Some leaders are ready to grow and need help building the fundraising to get there. Others are simply tired of carrying so much alone. I bring experience, perspective and hands-on leadership to help move the work forward.
What I've learned is that fundraising rarely operates in isolation. Strategy, people, systems, communications, board engagement and leadership all affect an organization's ability to raise money. That's why my work often reaches beyond traditional fundraising.
My work has included building development teams, hiring and coaching fundraisers, managing complex grant portfolios, developing major-donor strategies and partnering with boards. But my favorite part is working alongside Executive Directors—being a thought partner and someone they can trust to help carry the work forward.
I am passionate about fundraising. Not simply as a way to raise money, but as a way to fuel your mission.
My work is rooted in the belief that God calls us to excellence, and that belief drives everything I do.
Breakthrough is possible! And you don't have to navigate it alone.
FAQs
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Hiring the right development staff can be an important part of building a strong fundraising program. But not every organization needs—or can find—all of the experience it needs in one full-time hire.
When you work with me, you get senior-level development leadership, a thought partner for your Executive Director, and leadership and coaching for your development team.
My role isn't necessarily to replace your in-house team. It's to work alongside them—bringing experience, perspective, and leadership where you need it most.
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Engagements are tailored to the needs of each organization. Most clients invest $5,000–$8,000 per month, depending on the scope, level of leadership and length of the engagement.
Some organizations need ongoing Fractional Chief Development Officer leadership, while others need focused support for a specific season or challenge. We’ll define the scope, timeline and investment together before the work begins.
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Every organization is different, so every engagement starts with understanding what you need most and where I can add the greatest value.
My work can include fundraising strategy, major gifts, individual giving, grant strategy, staffing, board engagement, communications, and coaching for Executive Directors and development staff.
Sometimes the work reaches beyond traditional fundraising because fundraising rarely operates in isolation. If something else in the organization is affecting your ability to raise money, we'll address that too.
Together, we'll decide what matters most, who owns what, and how I can best help move the work forward.
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Fundraising takes time and consistency, and every organization starts from a different place. So while I can't guarantee a specific dollar amount, I absolutely expect our work together to produce results.
I wouldn't do this work if I didn't know that breakthrough is possible.
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Yes. Not every organization needs a long-term Fractional CDO engagement.
I offer strategic coaching for Executive Directors and development professionals, as well as focused engagements for organizations navigating a specific fundraising challenge, opportunity or transition.
The right engagement depends on what you need—and whether I believe I can add meaningful value. I don't want to cost you money without helping you move the mission forward.
Book a Discovery Call
Let’s hop on a call, so I can learn more about your organization and goals.