Abby Schaefer is a non-profit professional with 40 years of experience in effective relationship management through the lenses of fundraising, board relations/development, and institutional strategy development. Abby’s experience as both senior staff at leading non-profit organizations and advisor as a non-profit consultant, enables her to bring a unique perspective and understanding of the opportunities and challenges faced by non-profit trustees, leadership and senior staff, and to help organizations and boards craft effective approaches and strategies.
From 1979-1999, Abby held fundraising leadership positions at arts and environmental organizations including WNYC/New York Public Radio and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). She began her consulting career in 1999 as co-owner of SimpatiCo. Partners LLC where, for 12 years, she specialized in major donor relations, fundraising campaigns, and board and organizational development for a variety of non-profits in the environmental, education, performing arts, social justice and social service fields, including serving as Campaign Counsel for NRDC’s $550 million comprehensive campaign. In 2011, when the NRDC campaign was successfully completed, she rejoined NRDC’s staff as Chief Board Relations Officer in the President’s Office. In that position, she served as principal contact with the NRDC Board of Trustees and as senior advisor to the President. She returned to consulting in 2018 with the formation of Wingspan Consulting.