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06/18/2026

BOARDROOM BASICS: Be Prepared

Board members may be passionate…but they don’t walk into the room with the same level of knowledge.

That’s why preparation matters.

Staff should provide:

➡️ a clear agenda
➡️ supporting documents
➡️ financial reports and updates
➡️ key decision points
➡️ materials in advance (several days ahead, ideally a week)

A board can’t lead well if they’re constantly reacting. If you want engaged board members, equip them to succeed.

Want to strengthen your board culture and improve meeting effectiveness? Columns Fundraising can help you build the systems and expectations that lead to stronger governance. Learn more at ColumnsFundraising.com.

05/27/2026

BOARDROOM BASICS: Recruit The Right Leaders

Columns Fundraising Partner Mark Wilkison shares:
“Your organization is only as good as the board that surrounds it, so it’s imperative that you recruit the best and the brightest.”

If your board isn’t engaged, don’t just ask:
“How do we motivate them?”

Ask instead:
Did we recruit people who were ready to lead?

Because donors don’t just invest in a mission.
They invest in leadership.

Need help strengthening your board and fundraising foundation? Columns can help you define clear expectations and recruit the right leaders. Learn more at ColumnsFundraising.com.

05/21/2026

Last month, Columns Principal and Partner Wesley Wicker had the honor of serving as emcee for the Centennial Celebration of the Alpha Phi Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity at the University of Alabama (Theta Chi Alabama), held during the 170th Anniversary year of the national Theta Chi Fraternity.

More than 750 alumni, students, and friends gathered at the Sheraton Ballroom in Birmingham on April 11 to celebrate a century of leadership, brotherhood, and impact at Alabama.

The evening brought together generations of Theta Chi leaders and supporters, including University of Alabama President Dr. Peter Mohler, alumni leadership, chapter officers, and House Corporation representatives who have helped guide the chapter’s growth over the years.

We’re grateful to have been part of the chapter’s journey, not only through strategic fundraising and campaign support, but by helping organizations build lasting cultures of engagement, stewardship, and long-term vision.

Congratulations to the Alpha Phi Chapter of Theta Chi on 100 years at the University of Alabama.

If your organization is thinking about its next chapter - whether that’s strengthening alumni engagement, preparing for a campaign, or building long-term sustainability - we’d love to start a conversation!

Learn more at ColumnsFundraising.com.

05/18/2026

Recently, several members of the Columns team gathered at the Auditory Verbal Center at Century Center for a strategy session focused on how we can continue serving our clients at the highest level.

It was a great opportunity to discuss current projects, future opportunities, and the evolving needs of the organizations we partner with every day.

We’re especially excited about the continued growth of our team. Senior Consultants Dr. Andy Leavitt, Jason Chandler, and Cara Schroeder have joined Columns over the past year alongside Toni Dixon, who recently celebrated more than a year with the firm. Their experience and leadership continue to strengthen the way we support our clients and communities.

Pictured (right to left): Dr. Andy Leavitt, Jason Chandler, Toni Dixon, and Cara Schroeder with Partners David Carico and Mark Wilkison. Photo by Wes Wicker (not pictured).

At Columns, we believe the best ideas come from collaboration and staying closely connected to the organizations we serve.

If your organization is preparing for growth, navigating change, or strengthening its fundraising and leadership strategy, we’d love to connect.

Visit columnsfundraising.com to learn more.

05/01/2026

We’re pleased to welcome Jason Chandler to Columns Fundraising.

Jason brings 25 years of leadership experience across philanthropy in higher education, hospital systems, and health and human services. Most recently, he served as President of the Gwinnett Hospital System Foundation for 17 years, leading fundraising efforts that supported major initiatives for Northside Hospital in Gwinnett County - including bringing open-heart surgery to the county and expanding services in cancer care, NICU, graduate medical education, and advanced medical technology.

Over the course of his career, Jason has helped secure more than $100 million in philanthropic commitments and has held leadership fundraising roles at Belmont University and Emory University’s School of Medicine. A graduate of the University of Tennessee with a master’s in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Management from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, he is also deeply engaged in his community, serving in leadership and board roles with several local organizations.

Outside of work, Jason is a family man, longtime drummer, fisherman, and self-described lover of history, creative writing, and all things space-related.

Jason shared, “I’m excited to join Columns because of the team’s wise counsel, real-world experience, strong values, and real commitment to making a difference. We all want to make the world we share a better place. I look forward to contributing, continuing to learn, and helping elevate the practice of philanthropy.”

Please join us in welcoming Jason to the Columns team!

04/29/2026

BOARDROOM BASICS: Make Expectations Clear

If you want a stronger board, start with clear expectations.

Columns Fundraising Principal and Partner Mark Wilkison notes, “First and foremost, a prospective board member needs to know how much it’s going to cost him or her. Have a job description for every board member, and put it all in writing. When board members understand what’s expected - time, giving, and involvement - it cuts down on disappointment on both sides.”

Practically, try creating a clear Roles & Responsibilities document (aka board member contract), including:

✅ term length and renewal limits
✅ meeting attendance expectations
✅ committee expectations
✅ board giving expectations
✅ fundraising involvement expectations

Need help crafting a board member job description? Our consultants are here to guide you as you build a better boardroom. Visit Columnsfundraising.com to get in touch.

04/16/2026

Principal & Partner Mark Wilkison was honored to represent Columns Fundraising at the April monthly meeting of the Association of Fundraising Professionals - Greater Atlanta Chapter Columns sponsored the morning breakfast meeting attended by so many Atlanta fundraising professionals.

We also enjoyed hearing from Amanda Rubin, Philanthropic Advisor at the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, who gave an insightful presentation on donor-advised funds and how the Community Foundation helps guide and support charitable giving.

We are always grateful for opportunities to learn and serve alongside professionals who are doing such important work in their communities.

04/10/2026

Columns Fundraising is proud to sponsor the Association of Fundraising Professionals - Greater Atlanta Chapter's upcoming April 14th meeting!

📅 April 14, 2026
⏰ 8:30 – 10:00 AM ET
📍 In person, light breakfast

Join us next Tuesday for an engaging session on Donor Advised Funds (DAFs). We’re excited to support this conversation and hear insights from Amanda Rubin of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta.

Whether you're an AFP member or joining as a guest, don’t miss this opportunity to learn and connect. Learn more and register here: https://tinyurl.com/3ur5d8bz

See you soon!

04/09/2026

We’re excited to welcome Dr. Andrew Leavitt to Columns Fundraising as our newest consultant.

Dr. Leavitt brings more than 30 years of leadership experience across higher education and the nonprofit sector, with a career spanning executive leadership, advancement, strategic planning, and organizational transformation. Most recently, he served as Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, where he led the institution through complex financial and cultural change, guided long-term strategy, and oversaw fundraising efforts.

He previously held senior advancement roles at the University of North Georgia and the University of West Georgia, serving as CEO of both institutions’ foundations. Over the course of his career, he has directed major capital initiatives, advised multiple university-wide strategic plans, and secured more than $170 million in state funding.

At his core, Dr. Leavitt’s work is rooted in impact:

“Higher education is one of the most powerful elevators of human potential. Throughout my career as a professor, fundraiser, and university chancellor, I relished the opportunity to help people reach their fullest potential. It has been an honor to be part of work that opens doors, creates opportunity, and transforms lives. I’m excited to continue that work alongside the Columns team.”

Now based in Atlanta, Andy enjoys spending time with his family - his wife Karen, their three adult children, and two grandchildren - as well as playing the saxophone and tinkering on home projects.

We're thrilled to have Dr. Andrew Leavitt on the Columns Team!

03/19/2026

"BOARDROOM BASICS: When Boards and Staff Aren’t on the Same Page

Nonprofit leaders tell us this all the time:
“Our board isn’t engaged.”
“They don’t show up.”
“They don’t give.”

And board members tell us this:
“I care about the mission… but I’m not sure what’s expected of me.”

Here’s the truth:
Most board problems aren’t motivation problems.
They’re *expectation* problems.

Follow along as Columns Fundraising shares Boardroom Basics - a practical series built to help your nonprofit build a better boardroom.

Because engaged boards don’t happen by accident.
They happen by design.

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Atlanta, GA
30305

Website

http://www.columnsfundraising.com/

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