Wynn Arlette Shawver
MNA, CFRE
I help organizations see what's possible—and build a practical path to get there.Based in Evanston, Illinois, I provide nonprofit consulting, fundraising strategy, organizational assessments, strategic planning, and interim or fractional development leadership to organizations in the Chicago area and beyond.I work with small to mid-size nonprofits that are ready to strengthen their fundraising and resource development, pursue new opportunities, and build the capacity to achieve their goals.With more than two decades of experience in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership, I bring practical strategy, thoughtful guidance, and a steady, genuine commitment to helping people succeed for the long term.My approach always begins with listening. I get to know your organization, understand its strengths and challenges, and work alongside you to develop a clear, realistic, and optimistic way forward to lasting results.
Strategy. Resources.
Relationships. Results.
Organizational Effectiveness
Resource Development
Leadership & Governance
Strategic Partnerships
HOW I CAN HELPOrganizational Effectiveness — nonprofit strategic planning: clarifying where you're going and how to get there
Resource Development — fundraising strategy, major and principal gifts, capital campaigns, and feasibility studies
Leadership & Governance — stronger boards, leadership capacity, and smooth transitions
Strategic Partnerships — engaging the partners and community who can help you succeed
Interim & Fractional CDO — experienced fundraising leadership when you need it mostSee all services →WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING“Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.”
— Lorem Ipsum, Dolor Sit AmetLearn more about Wynn →Ready to talk about what's possible? Let's talk →
HOW I CAN HELPAs a nonprofit consultant and fundraising consultant based in Evanston, I partner with organizations across Chicago and the Midwest on strategy, fundraising, leadership, and partnerships. My focus is on practical, people-centered work that delivers results built to last.Organizational Effectiveness
Where are we going, and how do we get there?
Nonprofit strategic planning • Organizational assessment • Priority setting and implementation • Goals and measurement • Process improvement and change management • Leadership transitionsResource Development
What resources and relationships will make it possible?
Fundraising assessment and strategy • Major gifts fundraising, principal gifts, and planned giving • Capital campaign consulting and fundraising feasibility studies • Grants, foundations, and sponsorships • Donor engagement and stewardship that builds lasting relationships • Fundraising systems and infrastructure that endure through staff transitionsLeadership & Governance
Do we have the people and structure to succeed for the long term?
Board development and governance • Board fundraising engagement • Executive and board partnership • Staff and leadership capacity • Succession and transition planning • Facilitation and thought partnershipStrategic Partnerships
Who should be part of it, and how do we engage them?
Partnership strategy • Stakeholder and community engagement • Corporate and institutional partnerships • Coalition building • Cases for support and impact storytelling • Volunteer and ambassador engagement
INTERIM & FRACTIONAL LEADERSHIPNeed experienced, senior-level leadership during a transition?
I can step in as an interim Chief Development Officer to lead the work, steady the team, and leave the organization stronger and ready for what's next.Need ongoing senior-level support without a full-time hire?
As a fractional Chief Development Officer, I provide consistent, reliable part-time fundraising leadership that will keep you on track and set you on course for future success. From major and principal gifts to campaign planning, my support is scaled to fit your budget.
ABOUT WYNNI made my first fundraising ask as a member of my YMCA middle school girls' club, raising money for our sister Y in Bangladesh, and I've never stopped since.Philanthropy runs in my family. Both of my parents spent their careers in the field, and while I didn't set out to follow in their footsteps, it became a natural fit the moment I found my way to it. I believe philanthropy is a service to people. Everyone wants meaning in their life and a connection to something larger than themselves, and my favorite part of this work is finding the threads that connect us in a shared purpose.My career began in the for-profit world, at a global accounting and consulting firm and then as a regional sales manager. There I learned strong practices for performance: clear goal setting, territory building, outreach and engagement, and strategies and metrics that drive high growth. Those transferable skills shape how I approach fundraising today.I went on to spend more than a decade in higher education advancement, working within major comprehensive campaigns at Chicago-area universities and an academic medical center. My work spanned health sciences, university libraries, continuing and professional studies, and ultimately university-wide planned and major gifts throughout the Midwest and Southwest. Working closely with university faculty, deans, and staff, I helped secure transformational gifts, including a record-setting gift for an international campus. Just as meaningful were first-time gifts that set donors on a new path, such as becoming a trustee or making their highest commitment yet. These moments change everyone involved for the better.Most recently, I launched an inaugural chief development officer role at a public library, building its philanthropy program from the ground up. I'm proud to have helped build a culture of philanthropy within a public institution during a period when its operating budget more than doubled, and to have supported the launch and completion of a public-private campaign to build a brand-new community center and library. These accomplishments will be lasting.Across every role, I've learned that trust is built by doing what you say you will do. I'm careful not to over-promise, and I take pride in delivering. I've also shared what I've learned as adjunct faculty at a local community college, teaching marketing and management for nonprofit organizations.BEYOND THE WORKEvanston and the greater Chicagoland area have long been home, but with family ties and roots in the Pacific Northwest and the Southwest, I maintain a strong connection throughout much of the United States. I engage deeply with the communities where I live and serve. While living in Chicago, I served in leadership roles on my condo association's board and led gardening and neighborhood beautification projects that transformed my neighborhood. In addition to building new efforts, I've served on the boards of trustees of deeply rooted community organizations, including our local history center and our Fourth of July Association, and I'm proud to have been recognized by our community foundation for service to the community. Today I'm especially drawn to causes that strengthen communities, expand opportunity, and protect our environment.When I'm not working, you might find me singing in a local community choir, training for an outdoor adventure like a century ride, or in the garden growing native plants that support pollinators and local wildlife. I find that gardens and organizations alike depend on healthy ecosystems. With strong roots, patience, and the right nourishment, they are not only productive but resilient, able to withstand even the most unpredictable weather.Wynn holds a Master of Nonprofit Administration (MNA), a certificate in philanthropic and nonprofit fundraising, and is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE).Connect with me on LinkedIn →
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Together, we can build more than a plan. We can build the relationships, confidence, and capacity to make it happen, and make it last.Let’s Talk
Tell me a little about what you're working on, where you're getting stuck, or what you'd like to make possible. I'll follow up with you personally.