Carolyn Bess

Carolyn Bess Consulting

152 Walter Street, Boston, MA 02131 | (617) 794-7449 | carolyn@carolynbessconsulting.com
Works in: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont

Last updated:
Thursday, Aug 14, 2025

I have tremendous passion and respect for philanthropy. Sometimes organizations experience a lapse in performance and need to galvanize their efforts to raise more revenue. Are you a philanthropic organization: Undergoing a transition with your development team? Needing to coach new staff or board members? Creating or overhauling a strategic development plan? I am a fundraising and development leader with 25+ years of experience having worked with over 30 nonprofit organizations in the northeast and mid-Atlantic. By partnering with highly motivated nonprofit leadership teams to transform how they practice development, I support leaders to develop their strategic and tactical fundraising toolkit. As a result, the organization's fundraising capabilities increase dramatically.

Areas of Expertise:

Board assessment, structure, training, performance

Donor communications, Event planning

Sponsorships and corporate partnerships, Capital campaigns / feasibility, Fundraising events, Fundraising / fund development planning, Grant writing, Grant writing - federal grants, Individual giving / major gifts, Prospect research

Deep expertise in these issue areas: Environment, Immigrants / Refugees, Social Justice, Social Services / Human Services

Past Clients:

  • Organization: Violence Intervention Program
    Name: Margarita Guzman
    Description of services provided: Strategic Fundraising, Major Donor Program
    Year services provided: 2022-present
  • Organization: OurEnergyPolicy
    Name: Bill Squadron
    Description of services provided: Senior Development Advisor
    Year services provided: 2014 - Present
  • Organization: Safe Passage Project
    Name: Rich Leimsider
    Description of services provided: Strategy, Major Donors, DAF
    Year services provided: 2021-2023


Training & Workshops:

  • Name: Webinars and In person
    Duration: 1-3 hours
    Fee: $300 per hour
    Fees Negotiable: Yes
    Minimum Audience Size: 3
    Maximum Audience Size: 50
    Reference:

Please note that we do not endorse any consultant listed in this directory. We strongly advise you to check references before hiring a consultant.