Business Details
9 Years
experience
Expert Fundraising Solutions for Nonprofits | Make Philanthropy Work
Make Philanthropy Work is a nonprofit consulting firm dedicated to empowering organizations in the philanthropy sector through innovative strategies and expert guidance. Founded in 2018, we specialize in transforming fundraising programs for nonprofits, higher education institutions, and healthcare organizations. Our approach combines time-tested methodologies with cutting-edge digital solutions to create custom strategies that align with each client's unique mission and challenges. With a team of seasoned professionals boasting decades of collective experience, we focus on sustainable growth through major gifts, capital campaigns, digital fundraising, and strategic planning.Our commitment to equity and community-driven solutions has strengthened fundraising programs for over 100 global clients, resulting in significant revenue growth and lasting institutional impact. We maintain rigorous compliance standards and prioritize transparent communication, ensuring our clients receive both strategic guidance and practical implementation support to achieve immediate and long-term success.
Services
Major Gifts
Digital Fundraising
Capital Campaigns
Fundraising Strategy
Board Training
Details
- Year established: 2017
Highlights and features
- 300+ years of combined experience in fundraising strategy development
- Proven $4+ billion raised through campaigns and projects
- 100+ organizations supported globally since 2017
- Custom solutions combining traditional methods with digital innovation
- Expertise across nonprofit, higher education, and healthcare sectors
What people say
Excellent service
Highly recommend
Great results
Expert guidance
Measurable impact
Services
Major Gift Fundraising
Our major gift fundraising program identifies and cultivates high-capacity donors through personalized engagement strategies. We develop customized donor pipelines, train staff in solicitation techniques, and implement stewardship systems that build lasting donor relationships. Our approach combines prospect research, portfolio management, and campaign planning to maximize gift potential while maintaining mission alignment. Clients benefit from increased gift sizes and improved donor retention rates through our structured engagement cycle.
Capital Campaigns
We provide comprehensive capital campaign support from feasibility studies through post-campaign evaluation. Our services include goal setting, donor segmentation, timeline development, and implementation management. We specialize in creating compelling campaign narratives that resonate with donor priorities while ensuring organizational readiness. Clients receive strategic guidance for both public and silent phases, with proven systems for volunteer engagement and donor recognition programs that sustain support beyond campaign completion.
Digital Fundraising
Our digital fundraising solutions integrate modern technology with traditional philanthropy principles. We develop multi-channel campaigns combining email marketing, social media engagement, and optimized donation platforms. Services include CRM implementation, data analytics, and digital content strategy that enhances donor communication. Clients gain access to performance dashboards and receive training to sustain effective digital outreach while maintaining personal donor connections through targeted automation workflows.
Strategic Fundraising Planning
We create comprehensive fundraising strategies aligned with organizational goals through detailed assessment and market analysis. Our planning process evaluates current capabilities, identifies growth opportunities, and establishes measurable milestones. Clients receive customized frameworks for donor engagement, staffing models, and technology integration that support long-term sustainability. Implementation support includes staff training and progress monitoring systems to ensure strategic objectives are consistently met.
Board Training
We equip boards with essential fundraising knowledge through customized training programs focusing on governance and donor engagement. Our curriculum covers campaign roles, prospect identification, and effective solicitation techniques. Services include board assessment, leadership coaching, and stewardship planning that builds institutional capacity. Clients develop confident, donation-ready leadership teams through interactive workshops and ongoing skill development resources.
People
Lauren Sisneros
Founder, LS Consultants
With 20+ years of nonprofit leadership experience, Lauren specializes in equity-focused strategic advising for education and nonprofit sectors. She brings expertise in program management and policy analysis to our team.
Kyle Christensen
Program Leader
This M.P.A.-holder brings 25+ years of leadership program development experience, specializing in organizational transformation and experiential learning design for government and nonprofit clients.
Jason Pemberton
Strategic Consultant
A multi-award winning strategist with global consulting experience, Jason helps organizations navigate complex challenges and develop effective leadership systems across international markets.
Matt Wasserman
Co-Founder
With 25+ years in fundraising leadership, Matt specializes in campaign strategy and revenue growth solutions for educational institutions, having previously led development programs at the University of Colorado.
Megan Cooke
Fundraising Strategist
This 25-year fundraising veteran develops customized donor engagement strategies with expertise in major gifts and annual support programs for healthcare and educational institutions.
Questions
What types of organizations do you work with?
We specialize in supporting nonprofits, higher education institutions, and healthcare organizations with fundraising strategy development and implementation.
How do you customize fundraising strategies?
Our approach combines organizational assessment, donor behavior analysis, and sector-specific best practices to create tailored fundraising solutions.
What experience do your consultants have?
Our team brings decades of combined experience in major gifts, capital campaigns, and digital fundraising across diverse nonprofit sectors.
Can you help with technology integration?
Yes, we implement modern fundraising technologies while ensuring proper training and process optimization for sustainable adoption.
How do you measure success?
We track progress through donor retention rates, gift size growth, campaign goal achievement, and overall revenue increases aligned with client objectives.
Do you offer ongoing support?
Our engagements include implementation support with optional extended partnerships to ensure long-term program sustainability.
