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 remote fundraising strategist with a decade of experience in advancement and development roles in the United States, supporting programs nationally as well as in Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa. My work spans food security, child welfare, healthcare access, economic empowerment, and education.
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 schools, environmental conservancies, and other 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 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 strategy
• Donor pipelines and segmentation
• Donor stewardship modeling
• Case statements and messaging
Advancement & Institutional Development
• Building advancement functions
• Governance and Trustee engagement
• Alumni engagement strategy
• Endowment roadmapping
Donor Communications & Reporting
• Impact reporting
• Narrative and storytelling development
• Grant proposal development
• Communication audits
Workshops, Training & Leadership Advisory
• Executive advisory
• Fundraising workshops
• Coaching on donor psychology & trust-building
• Guest lecturing and professional development
Who I Work With
Schools, Universities and Education Organizations
Wildlife and Nature Conservancies
Public Health Organizations
Economic Development Organizations
“Coming Soon: Reflections from partner organizations and leadership teams I’ve supported.”
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.