Fund Development
“Highly sought-after Black Fundraiser” who has raised nearly $400 Million raised and counting”
Nonprofit Fund Development & Fundraising
Kia Croom has 20 years of experience in fund development & fundraising and has raised nearly $400 million for nonprofits across the U.S. in a variety of cause areas including: youth development, STEM, workforce development, HIV/AIDS services, re-entry rehabilitation, substance abuse & behavioral health, education, advocacy, homelessness, health & human Services.
Kia Croom is among the most sought-after Black, nonprofit fund development & fundraising professionals in the industry.
SHE IS HIGHLY RESULTS-ORIENTED WITH A DEMONSTRATED TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESS IN:
- Building six and seven-figure corporate strategic partnerships
- Grant Writing: Writing award-winning public, corporate and private foundation grants
- Major Gift Fundraising: securing five, six and seven-figure gifts
- Creating nonprofit social enterprises: income-generating businesses run by nonprofits
- Creating micro-campaigns: Generating between $50K- $100K from your most loyal donors. Ideal for small nonprofits looking to fund a capital purchase or small event or project.
- Creating challenge grant campaigns.
What is the difference between Fund Development & Fundraising?
Fundraising and fund development are NOT the same, although people tend to use the words interchangeably in error.
“Fund Development” is, by definition, the process of creating and enhancing relationships with donor prospects to secure current and future funding. “Fundraising” is the outcome or the result of fund development
Think of this way, “Fund Development,” is all about the relationships you create as you take steps toward securing funding, and fundraising is the result. Got it? Good.
Here’s A Look At Fundraising and Philanthropy Professionals Kia has gleaned inspiration
from throughout her 20-year career
Birgit Smith Burton
In 1999 Birgit started the African American Development Officers (AADO) Network, after being hired by Georgia Tech as the first fundraiser or color. Today she serves as the Executive Director of Foundation Relations for the University.
Susan Taylor Batten
Susan Taylor Batten is president and chief executive officer of ABFE: A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities. ABFE (established in 1971 as the Association of Black Foundation Executives) is a membership-based philanthropic organization that advocates for responsive and transformative investments in Black communities.
Simone Joyaux
Simone Joyaux, ACFRE, Adv Dip, FAFP, Certificate in Philanthropic Psychology and Consultant for nonprofits and NGOs: fund development, board development and strategic planning. Simone died at age 72 on May 3, 2021. She is sorely missed across the nonprofit sector globally.
Pamela Grow
Pamela has raised hundreds of millions through her consultancy, her weekly Grow Report e-newsletter, and her online Basics & More™ trainings on direct mail fundraising, digital fundraising, board fundraising, monthly giving fundraising, major gift fundraising and more.
Here’s a list of Kia’s top resources for Nonprofit Fund Development & Fundraising Professionals and aspiring ones
Create A Fund Development Plan: How to Resources:
Fund Development Defined
SO YOU WANT TO BE A NONPROFIT FUNDRAISER? FUNDRAISING DEGREE PROGRAMS AND CONTINUING EDUCATION RESOURCES
University of Richmond School of Professional & Continuing
Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy (WOC)®
Association of Fundraising Professionals
Fabulous Female Fundraisers (F3)
Articles Celebrating Black Women Fundraisers
Black Women in Philanthropy: The Art of Everyday Giving as Activism
Strengthening Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy
24 Black-Led Nonprofits Making History
Black Women in Fundraising & Philanthropy – YouTube
Six Black, female fundraising and philanthropy professionals you should know
THE BLACK WOMAN’S GUIDE TO PHILANTHROPY
Black women speak the truth about corporate ‘charities,’ ending inequality
These Black Women Are Raising Millions Of Dollars To Support Women And Girls In The South
Top 10 Roles in which You Need to Excel as a Chief Development Officer—Beyond Fundraising
Preparing the Next Generation: Addressing the Racial Leadership Gap in Nonprofit Fundraising
Money, Power and Race: The Lived Experience of Fundraisers of Color Executive Summary
Money, Power and Race: The Lived Experience of Fundraisers of Color Report
Money, Power and Race: The Lived Experience of Fundraisers of Color Recommendations
AADO’s mission is to provide professional development, education, employment support, mentorship, and networking opportunities for fundraisers of color. Currently, led by a team of profoundly committed and accomplished volunteers, there are over 3,000 members across North America.
The Nonprofit Quarterly, also known as NPQ, is a nonprofit magazine publication which provides research-based articles and resources to educate the nonprofit sector. The publication focuses on management, fundraising practices, philanthropy, and governance/board management.
CCS is a strategic fundraising firm … that partners with nonprofits for transformational change.
Grant Writing USA delivers training programs across America that dramatically enhance performance in the areas of grant writing, grants management and grant maker research.
A daily news, jobs, RFP service of Candid. Philanthropy-related articles and features culled from print and electronic media outlets nationwide.
A podcast founded and hosted by Kia Croom that celebrates, inspires and equips Black fund development professionals and fundraisers to excel and positively impact Black communities.
ABFE is a membership-based philanthropic organization that advocates for responsive and transformative investments in Black communities.