Melissa is a seasoned fundraising professional with 15 years experience raising private sector
funds for Bay Area nonprofits. After a decade in senior fund development staff roles in health
and human services, workforce development, and environmental organizations, she completed
her Masters in Business Administration and established a consulting practice focusing on
service to nonprofits.
Melissa excels in helping organizations build the capacity to raise major gifts through annual,
endowment, capital and planned giving campaigns. She applies innovative strategies from the
for-profit arena to enhance the performance of nonprofit organizations. This unique perspective
and blend of experience enables her to understand the motives and priorities of diverse
stakeholders and help them connect with the organization’s mission and goals.
Melissa has provided counsel for organizations with budgets from $350,000 to $10 million. She
is effective at working with all members of the leadership team including board of directors,
senior management, development and program staff, and fundraising volunteers. She takes a
unique approach in her consulting practice, providing traditional strategic counsel as well as
closer, hands-on coaching and implementation work. This model is particularly valuable for small
to medium-size organizations that are building capacity and lack the expertise to carry out
comprehensive fundraising programs or need help with special projects such as raising capital
and major gifts.
Melissa also offers comprehensive strategic planning services that draw on both her
management experience and her fundraising expertise. Often, prior to launching a major
fundraising campaign, an organization needs to update or create a strategic plan. A well-
conceived planning process has the power to align and educate internal and external
stakeholders on a shared vision and makes the compelling case for the need for significantly
increased contributed income. This story is best told through a concise strategic plan created by
the board and staff, often with significant input from external stakeholders. Melissa employs a
variety of techniques to lead small and large groups through the planning process.
Melissa earned her BS and MBA at San Francisco State University graduating with honors. She
serves on the board of Development Executives Roundtable and is a member of both Bay Area
Nonprofit Consultants and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She also serves as an
Affiliate Consultant for The CBO Center in Oakland as well as for the Center for Volunteer and
Nonprofit Leadership of Marin.
Melissa is an experienced trainer having led workshops for The Foundation Center in San
Francisco, The CBO Center in Oakland, and the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership
in Marin. Workshop topics have included; “Moving Donors Up the Ladder – a Guide to Moves
Management,” “Inspire, Motivate and Support Your Fundraising Volunteers,” and “Dynamite
Development Planning.”
funds for Bay Area nonprofits. After a decade in senior fund development staff roles in health
and human services, workforce development, and environmental organizations, she completed
her Masters in Business Administration and established a consulting practice focusing on
service to nonprofits.
Melissa excels in helping organizations build the capacity to raise major gifts through annual,
endowment, capital and planned giving campaigns. She applies innovative strategies from the
for-profit arena to enhance the performance of nonprofit organizations. This unique perspective
and blend of experience enables her to understand the motives and priorities of diverse
stakeholders and help them connect with the organization’s mission and goals.
Melissa has provided counsel for organizations with budgets from $350,000 to $10 million. She
is effective at working with all members of the leadership team including board of directors,
senior management, development and program staff, and fundraising volunteers. She takes a
unique approach in her consulting practice, providing traditional strategic counsel as well as
closer, hands-on coaching and implementation work. This model is particularly valuable for small
to medium-size organizations that are building capacity and lack the expertise to carry out
comprehensive fundraising programs or need help with special projects such as raising capital
and major gifts.
Melissa also offers comprehensive strategic planning services that draw on both her
management experience and her fundraising expertise. Often, prior to launching a major
fundraising campaign, an organization needs to update or create a strategic plan. A well-
conceived planning process has the power to align and educate internal and external
stakeholders on a shared vision and makes the compelling case for the need for significantly
increased contributed income. This story is best told through a concise strategic plan created by
the board and staff, often with significant input from external stakeholders. Melissa employs a
variety of techniques to lead small and large groups through the planning process.
Melissa earned her BS and MBA at San Francisco State University graduating with honors. She
serves on the board of Development Executives Roundtable and is a member of both Bay Area
Nonprofit Consultants and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She also serves as an
Affiliate Consultant for The CBO Center in Oakland as well as for the Center for Volunteer and
Nonprofit Leadership of Marin.
Melissa is an experienced trainer having led workshops for The Foundation Center in San
Francisco, The CBO Center in Oakland, and the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership
in Marin. Workshop topics have included; “Moving Donors Up the Ladder – a Guide to Moves
Management,” “Inspire, Motivate and Support Your Fundraising Volunteers,” and “Dynamite
Development Planning.”
| Melissa Irish |