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Hello, I'm Karen Welcome to Big Bold Fundraising!

"Do I have to, gulp, fundraise? Not me, thanks. I can't!"

White mug with 'BIG BOLD FUNDRAISING' text.

You CAN! spoiler alert ... fundraising done well is SO much more than asking for money. in fact, donations OF ALL SIZES come from doing the other things well. for 18 years, i have contributed to raising over $42 million for diverse organizations. board member, ceo, fundraiser, DEVELOPMENT + MARKETING TEAMS ... your nonprofit needs your commitment + participation! Whether new to fundraising, fearful to try, or seeking to take your skills to the next level, I can help.

unlock your fundraising potential to get. it. done. friends, let's get to work.

Through my S.P.A.R.K. program (Skills, Performance, Attitude, Results, and Kindness + Values), anyone (yes, ANYONE) can participate in the fundraising process.

Nonprofit Board Members, Development and other Committee Members, and CEO/Nonprofit Leaders - all in partnership with your Fundraising Team - this is your call to action!

INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT HOW TO BUILD A SUCCESSFUL CAPITAL (OR OTHER FUNDRAISING) CAMPAIGN AND ENGAGE YOUR BOARD AND KEY STAKEHOLDERS?

I recently joined Michael Corley on his podcast I 501(c) You - The Podcast for Nonprofit Board Members, for a conversation on this important topic. YouTube available (direct access: icon in the footer below). Thoughts about my comments and recommendations? Contact me to share your feedback and campaign experiences!

karen@bigboldfundraising.com

approach.

Listen (to you, my client). Customize to meet your goals. Continue listening. Execute our agreed-upon SIMPLE + ACHIEVABLE plan to build momentum. Coach + Do, not Consult + Talk. Employ S.P.A.R.K. (Skills, Performance, Attitude, Results, Kindness + Values).

Marketing, communications, branding, and impactful storytelling walk hand-in-hand with successful fundraising. I have significant experience in all and can help you design + execute a cohesive get-it-done plan.

services.

Coaching + training (individuals + teams). Board + Staff retreat facilitation. Fundraising program launch, relaunch, development. Speaking. Communications, marketing, media relations. Storytelling. Writing. My fundraising expertise? Campaigns, Major Gifts, Planned Giving, Endowments, High ROI fundraising events that raise $$$.

results.

S.P.A.R.K. gets it done, and helps you achieve your desired impact for your organization, those you serve, your community, and beyond.

"Karen's strategic approach and collaborative nature fostered a sense of unity among our board and campaign committee members. We couldn't have succeeded in reaching our $20 million goal without her leadership and fundraising expertise."

- Andy Cook, former board member and campaign leader, WakeMed Foundation

it started with a tangerine.

I love a story. Years ago, I was invited to present about fundraising to a room full of professionals with most hearing the word 'development' (in this context) for the first time. (One guessed that 'stewardship' happens on a boat.)

To prepare, I thought to myself: in two minutes or less, how can I kick off a fundraising presentation with a relatable icebreaker? I came up with what do tangerines and fundraising have in common? 1. Sweetness (to your funding partners + mission) matters. 2. The ap-peel (sorry) must be simple - and important to our potential funder. 3. Good things (both tangerines and donations) can come in small packages.

As laughter filled the room (a good sign!) and I passed out tangerines to attendees, cue a more in-depth conversation - without scrolling or snoring, a bonus! The juiciness of this experience (and many more after) sparked what has become Big Bold Fundraising. Thus my mission to SIMPLIFY into WHAT WORKS - and ignites the FUN in Fundraising!

mission + VISION.

Mission: Do more, be more, through inspired, effective fundraising.

Vision: Improving + empowering lives worldwide, one Funding Partner at a time.

VALUES.

Integrity.

Ethics.

Compassion + Empathy.

Fun.

Impeccable Communication.

Humor.

Courage.

intrigued to learn more?

BOLD BOARDS, plus
BOLD LEADERSHIP, plus
BOLD FUNDRAISERS, plus
BOLD TEAMS, create
BIG BOLD IMPACT!

Ready for Big Bold Fundraising success? Let's have a conversation! karen@bigboldfundraising.com.

Contact me to receive my detailed credentials + expertise biography and my 'The Top 10 Myths about Fundraising' overview.

"Karen has a depth of experience from training and development to management. Among her many gifts, she is easily one of the best trainers I've ever encountered. She has that rare ability to quickly pinpoint the root of a problem provide constructive feedback, and then solve it in a collaborative fashion. It is very easy to have a conversation with Karen. And, for all her talents, Karen is a gem of a person."

- Jennifer Henderson, former leader of a team trained by Karen

meet karen, in brief.

Experience? 40 years including 18 years in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, marketing, branding, and communications. A successful for-profit career came first.

Credentials? Yes. Became CFRE certified in 2021, recertified: 2024.

Diverse organizations? Yes. Small community to large hospital systems and universities.

Employment? Full-time employee and consultant/coach experience. Proven record? Yes!

Industries? Diverse including health care, human services, and education.

Storyteller. Yes! A passionate writer, I authored a book with a business leader with whom I worked on a capital campaign!

GIVING BACK ~ COMMUNITY.

Charitable Gift Planners of Southwest Florida, Board of Directors Secretary, Membership Committee Member.

National Association of Charitable Gift Planners, Member.

Association of Fundraising Professionals, Member.

Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, Member.

Passion: mentoring others to help them accomplish their career and skills goals.

coming in 2027: big bold fundraising academy!

A unique, on-line training program and experience designed to S.P.A.R.K. (Skills, Performance, Attitude, Results, Kindness + Values) excellence and success in all things fundraising, storytelling, communications, marketing, and leadership.

"I had the opportunity to work with Karen when she managed a fundraising campaign for a large hospital system. She did a wonderful job of understanding our mission in the community and created a fundraising proposal for the campaign that worked [well for all]. Karen listens actively, responds creatively, and works tirelessly ... with an exceptionally positive attitude."

- Steve Brechbiel, retired executive of corporate major gift donor.

Honored by decades of corporate & nonprofit relationships, creating impact together

"Karen was a leader over a large territory of business development professionals, and from her high level of professional success was placed in a national training role. As a peer in another division, I visited many of the same locations as Karen. I was directly aware of her stellar reputation from the praises of those she trained after she left an office. Mostly the items you heard associated with Karen included genuinely cared, always prepared, knows her material, and helped me grow professionally. She is a tremendous resource for coaching and mentoring."

- Randy Gartz, business executive and multi-year colleague of Karen

Fall 2026-2027 Podcasts, Speaking, Facilitation. Conversations that Inform and Transform to enhance how we can Perform!

Visit often for updates, and contact me at karen@bigboldfundraising.com if any topic or idea sparks your interest to learn more!

"I have the pleasure of working with Karen while serving with her on the Charitable Gift Planners of SWFL board of directors. Karen is an outstanding professional and a seasoned fundraiser. I find her to be a thoughtful and strategic partner who adds value to every conversation and decision. She combines expertise, professionalism and collaboration in a way that makes her a true asset to any organization. I highly recommend Karen for her skill, integrity, and dedication."

- Declan Sheehy, nonprofit advancement and marketing executive, spreader of Joy

PODCAST.

October 6, 2026

How to Build a Successful Capital Campaign

I 501(c) You - The Podcast for Nonprofit Board Members with host Michael Corley

(Raise with Clarity image credit: The Corley Company)

SPEAKING.

September 8, 2026

Integrity Before Investment: Six Essential Values for Fundraising Success

Hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals SWFL

Sarasota, Florida

FACILITATION.

January 21, 2027

Persuasive and Practical Grant Writing Using the I CAN Method!

Hosted by Caring Collective Glasser/Schoenbaum Campus

Sarasota, Florida

Ready to take the next step?

I'm all about efficient use of technology (including AI) to create impact.

Still, I'm not much of a 'fill out an impersonal form online' person.

Which is why you will not find one on my website. Contact me directly for additional information or to discuss ways that we can potentially work together to meet your needs! karen@bigboldfundraising.com

"I have had the privilege of working with Karen Zelden over many years in multiple professional contexts, including at WakeMed Health & Hospitals and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I can say without hesitation that she is one of the most effective and strategic fundraising leaders I have encountered. Karen brings a rare combination of vision, discipline and emotional intelligence to her work. When it comes to marketing, Karen is a persuasive communicator and an equally talented writer. Her work reflects integrity and a commitment to excellence. I am confident that organizations partnering with Big Bold Fundraising will benefit from Karen's abilities."

- Kiecha Berzins, Marketing and Communications Leader, Fundraising Excellence Partner

Hello, I'm Karen Welcome to Big Bold Fundraising!

Hello, I'm Karen Welcome to Big Bold Fundraising!

"Do I have to, gulp, fundraise? Not me, thanks. I can't!"

unlock your fundraising potential to get. it. done. friends, let's get to work.

approach.

services.

results.

it started with a tangerine.

mission + VISION.

VALUES.

intrigued to learn more?

meet karen, in brief.

GIVING BACK ~ COMMUNITY.

coming in 2027: big bold fundraising academy!

Why Work with Karen

Honored by decades of corporate & nonprofit relationships, creating impact together

Fall 2026-2027 Podcasts, Speaking, Facilitation. Conversations that Inform and Transform to enhance how we can Perform!

PODCAST.

SPEAKING.

FACILITATION.

Ready to take the next step?

Big Bold Fundraising Gallery

Hello, I'm Karen Welcome to Big Bold Fundraising!

Hello, I'm Karen Welcome to Big Bold Fundraising!

"Do I have to, gulp, fundraise? Not me, thanks. I can't!"

unlock your fundraising potential to get. it. done. friends, let's get to work.

approach.

services.

results.

it started with a tangerine.

mission + VISION.

VALUES.

intrigued to learn more?

meet karen, in brief.

GIVING BACK ~ COMMUNITY.

coming in 2027: big bold fundraising academy!

Why Work with Karen

Honored by decades of corporate & nonprofit relationships, creating impact together

Fall 2026-2027 Podcasts, Speaking, Facilitation. Conversations that Inform and Transform to enhance how we can Perform!

PODCAST.

SPEAKING.

FACILITATION.

Ready to take the next step?

Big Bold Fundraising Gallery

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