About Ann E. Criswell Consulting
Nonprofit Consultant|Strategist|Fundraiser
Ann E. Criswell, CFRE, is an accomplished nonprofit professional with more than two decades of experience and success leading and fundraising for small organizations, mid-sized nonprofits, and large institutions to support their mission and organizational goals.
Proven Impact
$17M
Raised
$17+ million raised for nonprofits and school-based programs through capital campaigns, major gift solicitations, sponsorships, planned gifts, and other fundraising strategies.
Children
2,400 children in 20 Iowa and Virginia elementary schools receiving access to mental health services thanks to Ann’s fundraising, partnership-building, and advocacy work.
Seniors
Once a fundraiser,always a fundraiser
After 24 years as a nonprofit executive and fundraiser, I was ready for the next chapter of my career. With a passion for social services, community health, and mental health initiatives, I had raised millions of dollars and grown programs from seeds into thriving orchards.
My work had made a difference in thousands of lives, and yet I knew there was still something left unfinished. Over my career, I recognized a critical truth that too few leaders understand how to act on: Organizational culture is what makes or breaks an organization’s impact and sustainability.
Whether it’s fundraising, strategic planning, or board and staff retreats – how we work together matters.
When I founded Ann E. Criswell Consulting, I knew both fundraising and organizational culture would be at the heart of my work. Because nonprofits cannot be successful in one without the other.
Today, I use my fundraising and facilitation skills to help organizations build authentic consensus, align around ambitious goals, and develop successful and sustainable fundraising programs.
Values
Inclusive
Authenticity
Integrity
Community
Equality
Sustainability
Training & Certifications
Technology of Participation Methods (TOP), including Facilitation, Strategic Planning, and Environmental Scanning
Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE)
Certificate in Planned Giving, School of Professional and Continuing Studies; Institute on Philanthropy, University of Richmond
Successfully completed the Freelance Grant Academy with Holly Rustick and Grant Writing & Funding
Association for Health Care Philanthropy - Madison Institute
Certificate in Executive Management - University of Notre Dame, Mendoza College of Business
Financial Management for Non-Profit Organizations - University of Illinois at Chicago
Successfully completed The 60-Day Boot Camp for Consultants program with Mandy Pearce and Marie Palacios of Funding for Good
Case Study: The Mooch Fund
Like pet owners everywhere, my wife and I consider our dogs family. When our darling 13-year-old miniature black schnauzer, Izzy, needed end-of-life care, I turned to our local vet. Even as he helped us support Izzy in her final months, our vet shared how he had launched a nonprofit organization to support animal patients whose human families couldn’t afford care.
Over the next two years, I helped Veterinarians Anne Marie and Sam Yoder, grow their nonprofit, The Mooch Fund. I trained them on fundraising and nonprofit management. They learned to ask for – and receive – major gifts and sponsorships.
As a result of our work together, The Mooch Fund is eliminating barriers to veterinary care in their community. They now provide a mobile animal hospital, scholarships to cover urgent veterinary care for those who otherwise can’t afford it, and scholarships for future veterinary technicians and doctors.
