About
Hello I’m Wanja!
Fundraising Strategist & Advancement Consultant
Strengthening education and conservation institutions through donor strategy, governance clarity, and long-term fundraising systems.
I'm a Nairobi-based fundraising strategist with a decade of experience in advancement and development roles in the United States, supporting nonprofit programs in Kenya and South Africa. My work spans food security, child welfare, economic empowerment, education, and conservation.
Most recently, I served as Associate Director of Advancement at Cathedral High School in Boston, where I managed donor engagement, strengthened annual fundraising systems, and supported the growth and stewardship of a $68M endowment.
I now help Kenyan schools, conservancies, and mission-driven organizations build trust-driven fundraising structures that last, by combining global best practices with a deep understanding of local philanthropic behavior.
What I Do
I help institutions grow philanthropy that lasts, by working with education and conservation organizations across Kenya to build the systems, structures, and relationships that make fundraising strategic, credible, and sustainable. My work centers on four core areas:
Fundraising Strategy & Donor Systems
• Annual fundraising plans
• Donor pipelines and segmentation
• Donor journeys and stewardship models
• Giving levels + case for support messaging
Advancement & Institutional Development
• Building advancement functions
• Governance clarity + Trustee engagement
• Alumni engagement strategy
• Endowment readiness and planning
Donor Communications & Case-Making
• Impact storytelling
• Donor reporting frameworks
• Proposal development
• Communication audits & narrative strategy
Training & Leadership Advisory
• Executive advisory on advancement
• Workshops for fundraising teams
• Training on donor psychology & trust-building
• Guest lecturing for MBA & nonprofit programs
Who I Work With
Schools & Universities
Wildlife conservancies
Youth development organizations
Education NGOs
Social impact programs
Family foundations
“Coming Soon: Reflections from partner organizations and leadership teams I’ve supported.”
Consulting Services
Fundraising Strategy Development
• Annual fundraising strategy
• Donor segmentation
• Case statements & messaging
• Donor cultivation planning
Advancement Systems & Institutional Development
• Building internal advancement functions
• Governance & Trustee engagement
• Alumni strategy + pipeline building
• Endowment readiness roadmaps
Donor Communications & Reporting
• Impact reporting structure
• Narrative development
• Proposal support
• Communication audits
Training, Workshops & Advisory
• Fundraising workshops
• Donor psychology sessions
• Team coaching and Executive advisory
• Guest lecturing
My Approach
Effective fundraising is built on four essentials: trust, clarity, strong systems, and strategic alignment. These guide every engagement I take on.
1. Trust
Fundraising only works when donors believe in the institution behind the mission. I help organizations strengthen governance and communicate transparently, so supporters feel confident investing in the work.
2. Clarity
Institutions grow when their story, structure, and people are aligned. I work with teams to refine their messaging, articulate their value, and ensure the internal architecture supports their external goals.
3. Systems
Sustainable philanthropy is never accidental. I design donor journeys, stewardship frameworks, and advancement structures that turn goodwill into reliable, long-term revenue.
4. Strategic Alignment
Every recommendation is grounded in data, donor behavior, and the organization’s long-term vision—ensuring that fundraising supports institutional growth rather than reacting to short-term pressures.