Laura Fredricks

Fundraising, Leadership, Marketing

In addition to consulting, Laura is a motivational speaker and best-selling author of The Ask: How to Ask Anyone for Any Amount for Any Purpose (2006), and Developing Major Gifts: Turning Small Donors into Big Contributors (2001). Laura is a well sought after speaker, both nationally and internationally. When you hear Laura speak, there is no doubt you will learn, be entertained and energized. For the past 14 years, Laura has been teaching nonprofit business management; leadership; fundraising trends; annual, major gift, planned giving, special events; and capital campaign courses on a certification and master’s degree level for University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University, New York University, Duke University, and the Smithsonian Institution.

Her speaking engagements include yearly presentations at the Association of Fundraising Professional’s (AFP) International Conference; seven International Web Conferences for AFP; keynote speaking presentations for numerous AFP Chapters nationwide; the Council for Support for Advancement and Education and Planned Giving Councils; and a Master’s Class on The Ask at the International Fundraising Congress in the Netherlands. On January 8, 2009 Laura was a guest speaker at NYU’s George H. Heyman, Jr. Center for Philanthropy and Fundraising Global Conference on Higher Education Fundraising which was attended by senior representatives from universities from Belgium, Israel, South Africa, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Germany and the Netherlands. Her address, “The art of the ASK”, also described why now, in stringent economic times, is an ideal time to fundraise.

Formerly Laura was Vice President for Philanthropy, at Pace University in New York, NY, where she raised over $92 million in six years, $82 million of which was counted for the university’s $100 million capital campaign. She oversaw all aspects of fundraising and alumni relations for a staff of 35 on five campuses.

She served as Associate Vice President for Development at Temple University, Philadelphia, where she managed and coordinated the major and planned giving programs, corporate and foundation funding, and alumni relations for 15 schools and colleges, two hospitals, and the athletic program. Prior positions include Major Gifts Manager for Deborah Hospital Foundation; Assistant Director of Development for Temple University’s School of Medicine; and Director of the Philadelphia Bar Foundation.

She is a journalism graduate of Rutgers College, New Brunswick, NJ, and holds a law degree from Western New England College School of Law. Prior to her fundraising career, she clerked for an appellate court judge in Pennsylvania, and practiced law for over six years as a Deputy Attorney General IV for the Attorney General’s Office, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, specializing in civil litigation.

Her community involvement includes serving as a board member for Cherry Lane Theater, NY; an advisory board member for New York University and Columbia University’s Masters in Fundraising Programs; and a volunteer for the Bedford, Barrow, Commerce Block Association, NY, and the Caring Community, NY