Empowering mission-driven leaders in fundraising

Jennifer Weber, Principal

Jennifer Weber is the Founder and Principal of Cornerstone Consulting where she specializes in working with non-profit organizations to build innovative donor engagement strategies and strong major gift programs. As an accomplished non-profit leader with over 25 years of experience, Jennifer believes philanthropy is rooted in values and can be a catalyst for social change. Jennifer works closely with staff and board members to help them gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to successfully build relationships and ask for major gifts. Jennifer’s core services include major gift strategy, major gift training, feasibility studies, campaign planning, development audits, development plans, and customized stewardship programs.

Prior to consulting, Jennifer worked for the University of Washington, Seattle Children’s Hospital, and the Global Fund for Women. At Children’s Hospital, Jennifer was instrumental in raising seven figure gifts for the Hospital’s $350 million campaign. As Vice President of Philanthropy for the Global Fund for Women, Jennifer led a fundraising team of 15 people, raising $15-17 million a year for women’s human rights. In these roles, Jennifer created innovative donor engagement strategies, developed board fundraising committees, and launched stewardship programs that fostered donor loyalty and increased giving. Her experience in the fields of education, healthcare, and human rights gives her a rich knowledge of different philanthropic circles and approaches.

In addition to her work with Cornerstone Consulting, Jennifer is the Co-Founder of The Major Gifts Launch Pad, a fundraising training series, developed with her colleague Heidi Thomson-Daly of HT & CO. The Major Gifts Launch Pad is a hands-on, interactive training designed for development professionals and board members who want to take their major gift program to the next level. The training focuses on the art of donor engagement, effective gift solicitation, and essential systems for success.

Jennifer is a frequent speaker at AFP Conferences on the topic of major gift fundraising and board engagement. She is also a contributing author to Northwest Nonprofit Notes, a blog dedicated to providing strategic advice and resources on the art and science of non-profit leadership.

Jennifer earned her BA from Occidental College and her M.Ed. from San Jose State University. She is also a CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive) and has served on the Board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Washington Chapter.

Philosophy and Approach

Jennifer truly understands the challenges that Boards, CEOs, EDs, DODs and MGOs face on a daily basis with fundraising. She customizes strategies for each client and supports them in developing scalable major gift programs to maximize philanthropy from the community. In collaboration with each client, Jennifer assesses the opportunities for growth and provides strategic guidance to help organizations create major gifts programs that get results.