Skystone Partners

07/15/2025

Skystone Partners celebrates Adrienne Taylor's three-year anniversary! 🎉

She is an absolute force; she’s thoughtful, strategic, and always brings her full heart to client work. We’re so fortunate to have her on the team and grateful for everything she contributes every single day.

Happy Anniversary, Adrienne! Here’s to all you’ve accomplished and all that’s ahead. 👏

06/24/2025

🌞 Summer’s here—and while some of your donors may be on vacation, your development efforts don’t have to be!

We asked the Skystone Partners team to share 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘬𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘪𝘱 each to help you keep your fundraising operation strong this season.

🎥 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲—𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘁𝗶𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀!

Let’s keep our momentum and stay together.

05/27/2025

🌟 President and CEO, Elizabeth Kohler Knuppel, will be a featured panelist at AFP Greater Cincinnati’s upcoming event: 𝗜𝗖𝗢𝗡 𝗨𝗻𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱: 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 & 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀!

Liz brings bold perspective, strategic clarity, and deep sector knowledge to every conversation — and this one is no exception. Join her and Matt Gellin, CFRE as they break down the biggest trends, insights, and takeaways from AFP ICON in Seattle.

𝘞𝘦𝘥𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘥𝘢𝘺, 𝘑𝘶𝘯𝘦 4 | 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘺𝘓𝘪𝘯𝘬, 800 𝘉𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘚𝘵, 𝘊𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪
Register: https://www.afpcincinnati.org/event/250604nk/

Whether you missed ICON or just want to dig deeper into what’s next for our sector, this is your chance to learn from leaders, reflect with peers, and leave inspired.

ICON Unpacked: Conversations, Connections & Key Learnings

This session is your chance to connect, learn, and grow with fellow fundraisers breaking down the highlights of the Seattle ICON.

Join us for a dynamic recap and discussion of the most talked-about moments, trends, and takeaways from the largest gathering of fundraising professionals in the world.

We’ll break down big ideas into practical strategies you can use now, covering everything from donor engagement innovations to leadership insights and sector-shifting data. This is also a great opportunity to network with local peers, share your own reflections, and catch up on what you may have missed. Come curious, leave inspired!

Date:

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Time:

8:30-9:00 – Doors open/Networking

9:00-10:30 – Program

Location:

CityLink

800 Bank St, Cincinnati, OH 45214

Join us in the Multipurpose Room

Cost:

AFP Members & Students (with valid student ID) – $10

Non-Members – $49

Link to register: https://www.afpcincinnati.org/event/250604nk/

05/22/2025

𝘚𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘦: You’re leading a mission-driven organization with a bold vision and a strong reputation. Your team is committed, your programs are impactful — but something’s missing.

𝘚𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯: Fundraising isn’t quite keeping pace with your ambitions. Strategic initiatives are underway, but alignment feels just out of reach. And those big ideas? They’re full of promise — but need the right partner to move from aspiration to ex*****on.

𝘚𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯: 𝗦𝗸𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀
We understand that high-impact organizations need more than advice — they need strategic partnership. We work alongside nonprofit leaders who are ready to invest in transformational outcomes, engage leadership in meaningful ways, and elevate their philanthropic strategy to match their mission.

Our results may include:
✅ Increased fundraising capacity and resilience
✅ Staff and Volunteer leadership that is more focused, strategic, and energized
✅ Organizational alignment around a shared vision
✅ A renewed sense of possibility (yes, really)

Let’s explore what’s possible.
𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗸𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Harness the power of philanthropy — and thrive!

05/20/2025

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻?
A capital campaign is a focused, intensive fundraising effort designed to raise significant dollars for a specific initiative — like building projects, major renovations, program expansions, or growing an endowment.

When successful, a capital campaign doesn’t just fund a project — it transforms an organization’s future. It strengthens visibility, deepens donor relationships, and builds long-term financial stability.

𝗜𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆?
Download our Capital Campaign Test for Readiness — a quick, insightful tool to help you assess your organization's preparedness.
📥 𝗵𝘁𝘁𝗽𝘀://𝘄𝗸𝗳.𝗺𝘀/𝟰𝗰𝗺𝘂𝟱𝗧𝗖

05/15/2025

✨ Is your nonprofit ready for bold growth — but unsure how to get there?
✨ Do you have a clear roadmap that connects your vision to realistic, fundable goals?

A strong strategic plan isn't just a document — it's the backbone of your fundraising success. It states your vision, builds public trust, and fuels your biggest ambitions.

At Skystone Partners, we specialize in helping nonprofits craft plans that inspire action and deliver results. 🎯 Let’s build a plan that moves your mission forward with confidence.

📩 Let's get the conversation started through a complimentary consultation: www.skystonepartners.com/contact

05/13/2025

🎉 Exciting news! Please join us in welcoming Rachel Kirley as a new Senior Consultant with Skystone Partners!

Rachel brings a wealth of experience in fundraising and community engagement, and we’re thrilled to have her talents supporting our clients. She continues her wonderful work with the San Francisco Symphony while also partnering with us to help nonprofit organizations grow and thrive. 🎻

We are so excited for the expertise, energy, and fresh perspective Rachel brings to our team! Learn more about Rachel: skystonepartners.com/rachel-kirley

04/29/2025

Live from in Seattle!

Skystone Partners' President & CEO, Elizabeth Kohler Knuppel was proud to present the 2025 AFP Global/Skystone Partners Prize for Research on Fundraising and Philanthropy alongside Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) at this year’s AFP ICON conference. Congratulations again to this year’s outstanding prize winners, Drs. Jen Shang and Adrian Sargeant!

Did you miss our live discussion with Dr. Shang about her co-authored book, Meaningful Philanthropy?
📺 Watch the full event replay now on YouTube: https://youtu.be/j3LMRIwdXwQ

We’re honored to celebrate research that advances the future of fundraising and philanthropy — and we’re thrilled to be part of the excitement here at AFP ICON!

04/14/2025

📣 Last Chance to Register!
Join us for our April On Giving webcast, where we’ll hear from Dr. Jen Shang, co-recipient of the 2025 Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) /Skystone Partners Prize for Research in Fundraising and Philanthropy.

💡 “Meaningful Philanthropy” transforms how we think about giving—emotionally, relationally, and purposefully.

This is your opportunity to listen, learn, and ask your questions.

🎟️ It’s free to attend.
👉 Save your seat here: SkystonePartnters.com/On-Giving

04/08/2025

Celebrating Excellence in Fundraising Research!

Skystone Partners is proud to partner with Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) to present the 2025 AFP/Skystone Partners Prize for Research on Fundraising and Philanthropy! Learn more about this year’s distinguished recipient and their groundbreaking work: https://afpglobal.org/news/2025-afpskystone-partners-prize-research-fundraising-and-philanthropy-awarded

📅 Join us for a special webinar celebrating Dr. Jen Shang and exploring her and Dr. Adrian Sargeant’s research insights that are shaping how high-net-worth donors experience philanthropy.
Register now to be part of the conversation: SkystonePartners.com/On-Giving

Let’s celebrate innovation and impact in the philanthropic sector—together!

(Arlington, VA) The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Foundation for Philanthropy has awarded the 2025 AFP/Skystone Partners Prize for

03/27/2025

“Our ultimate goal is to increase giving while making the experience more meaningful for philanthropists.” – Tony Bury, Foreword for "Meaningful Philanthropy: The Person Behind the Giving"

📅 On April 15, Dr. Jen Shang will join us to discuss her co-authored (with Adrian Sargeant) book. If you're exploring the why behind your giving—or want to support donors in making their philanthropy more purposeful—you won’t want to miss our On Giving Webcast.

Register and submit your questions for a chance to have Dr. Shang answer them live! SkystonePartners.com/On-Giving

03/20/2025

🪡"Creativity is making marvelous out of the discarded." 🖍

Exciting News! We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Indigo Hippo 🎨. Together, we are working to create the organization's 3-year strategic plan!

Our team at Skystone Partners is committed to empowering and elevating nonprofit organizations' fundraising strategies by providing tailored expertise and innovative solutions.

Stay connected and follow us for updates on our journey together!