New Energy for Nonprofits

Kelly Strategies energizes mission-driven organizations to turn philanthropic goals into reality.

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As a strategic advisor and trusted partner since 2013, we’ve guided more than 90 nonprofits and their leaders through challenges and milestones.

From the first conversation, we listen closely, assess quickly, and build a plan that’s uniquely yours — then our team of experts rolls up their sleeves alongside yours to make it happen.

Whether you’re launching a campaign or strengthening your annual development program, we bring the energy, expertise, and momentum to move your mission forward.

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Our Partners

Our Services

Need a steady hand for a short-term project or a long-term thought partner? Kelly Strategies offers a full range of fundraising services — with the expertise and drive to help your organization not just grow, but thrive.

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    Capital Campaigns

    • Case development

    • Feasibility study

    • Multi-year campaign plan

    • Committee training and support

    • Ongoing campaign counsel

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    Development Planning

    • Fundraising audit

    • CRM and infrastructure review

    • Revenue analysis and forecasting

    • Annual giving roadmap

    • Implementation and support

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    Fundraising Strategy

    • Major gift pipeline development

    • Corporate and foundation relations

    • Annual fund strategy and segmentation

    • Prospect identification and research

    • Development messaging and materials

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    Leadership Engagement

    • Organizational visioning

    • Leadership meeting facilitation

    • Board fundraising training

    • Team building and coaching

    • Staff search and recruitment

Move Your Mission Forward!
Susan Kelly

Meet Susan Kelly

Susan is a born fundraiser and trusted nonprofit strategist known for bringing fresh eyes, sharp instincts, and unstoppable energy to every client partnership. With over 20 years of development expertise, she excels at quickly assessing what an organization needs and charting a clear path forward — one that gets staff, leadership, and board all moving in the same direction.

Susan honed her expertise in fundraising roles before bringing her skills to a national nonprofit consulting firm — experience that shaped her practical, results-driven approach to every engagement.

Susan lives in Arlington, Virginia with her husband and three children. She’s an active volunteer, donor, and advocate for her kids’ schools and local community.

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A Small Firm With a Deep Bench

Our team of writers, researchers, infrastructure experts, and more works swiftly and seamlessly alongside your organization — diagnosing challenges, building solutions, and seeing them through. Together, we bring the depth and energy your people need to feel capable, organized, and ready for whatever comes next.

Our Nonprofit Partners

With extensive experience in the Washington, DC philanthropic market and a track record serving national and international organizations, our partners represent the full breadth of the nonprofit sector.

Community & Public Benefit

  • ACT for Alexandria

  • Air Force Aid Society

  • American Horticultural Society

  • Animal Welfare League of Arlington

  • Building Bridges Across the River

  • Compass Pro Bono

  • Convergence Center for Policy Resolution

  • DowntownDC BID

  • Friday Morning Music Club

  • Glen Echo Park Partnership

  • Greenbelt Museum

  • Health Educational Funders Network

  • Health Physics Society

  • Improving Economies for Stronger Communities

  • Jewish Women’s Renaissance Project

  • Junior League of Washington

  • Just Neighbors

  • Little Falls Village

  • Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation

  • Mosaic Theater Company of DC

  • National Art Education Association

  • New Beginnings Leadership Center

  • PenFed Foundation

  • Scholars Equity Network

  • Springsong Museum

  • The Trinity Forum

  • Union Station Redevelopment Corporation

  • USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation

  • Volunteer Alexandria

  • Washington Canoe Club

Housing & Human Services

  • Affordable Homes and Communities

  • Alexandria Seaport Foundation

  • Arlington Free Clinic

  • Bread for the City

  • Bridges to Independence

  • Britepaths

  • Carpenter’s Shelter

  • Children’s Law Center

  • Coalition for Nonprofit Housing & Economic Development

  • Community Action Council of Howard County

  • Community Coalition for Haiti

  • Community Lodgings

  • District Alliance for Safe Housing

  • Father McKenna Center

  • Friends of Guest House

  • Goochland Cares

  • Good Shepherd Housing & Family Services

  • HomeAid Northern Virginia

  • House of Ruth

  • Housing Up

  • La Cocina Virginia

  • Lisner-Louise-Dickson-Hurt Home

  • MVLE, Inc.

  • My Sister’s Place

  • Northern Virginia Family Service

  • Offender Aid and Restoration

  • Pathway Homes

  • Ronald McDonald House Charities of DC

  • SCAN of Northern Virginia

  • The Alliance for Housing Solutions

  • The Lamb Center

  • University Health System (Louisiana)

  • Whitman-Walker Health

Youth & Education

  • Aidan Montessori School

  • Aspire! Afterschool Learning

  • Benedictine Sisters of Virginia

  • Campagna Center

  • Childhood Education International

  • CollegeTracks

  • DC History Center

  • Dream Project

  • Educare of Washington, DC

  • Encore Stage & Studio

  • Foundation First

  • Future Link

  • Global Scholars Foundation

  • Hope for Henry

  • Horton’s Kids

  • Little Lights Urban Ministries

  • Main Street Child Development Center

  • Mentors of Minorities in Education

  • New Futures

  • Real Food for Kids

  • Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League

  • The New School of Northern Virginia

  • The Reading Connection

  • Virginia Early Childhood Foundation

  • Washington School for Girls

  • Young Artists of America

What Our Partners Are Saying

  • Susan led our feasibility study and guided us through a capital campaign. Her assessment gave us clarity, and her partnership gave us confidence. She earned our board's trust quickly and inspired them to take on fundraising roles that were new territory for our organization. We didn't just hit our campaign goal. We exceeded it!

    Erica Ahdoot
    Chief Executive Officer
    Horton’s Kids

  • Susan’s enthusiasm and fundraising expertise guided AHC through a strategic assessment to grow our fundraising and hire a new development leader. We’re seeing results implementing the plan she helped create. She was an accessible, trusted thought partner who gave us valuable tools to ignite our vision.

    Jennifer Endo
    Vice President, Community Relations
    Affordable Homes & Communities

  • Susan has helped me increase my fundraising capacity at two nonprofit organizations. Her fundraising assessment had my Board absolutely spellbound from the first meeting to the final report. She knows nonprofit development inside and out. I recommend her without reservation.

    Suzanne B. Laporte
    President & CEO
    American Horticultural Society

  • Susan is highly capable, an uber strategist, efficient and effective, and a sheer joy to work with. She supported our organization through transitions in fundraising leadership and provided counsel as we completed a successful capital campaign that exceeded its goals. She’s a rockstar!

    Tammy L. Mann, PhD
    Former President & CEO
    Campagna Center

Contact Kelly Strategies

Every challenge has a solution — let’s find yours.

Get in Touch