About the Author

For thirty years, Barbara L. Ciconte, CFRE, has helped nonprofits think strategically and work smarter. Experienced in all facets of nonprofit management and resource development, she has worked with local, regional, and national organizations in strategic planning and assisted them in building more effective resource development programs in annual, capital and endowment giving, major gifts, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, and special events. She is a national speaker and trainer on boards and volunteers. Prior to becoming a consultant in 1999, Barbara spent thirteen years at American University, where she served as the associate dean responsible for the overall development, alumni relations, and publications program for the university’s law school. She was previously the law school’s director of development and in that position was responsible for managing the college’s successful $20 million capital campaign, which was part of the university’s $100 million Centennial Campaign. Barbara has served as an adjunct faculty member at George Mason University and American University and has published articles in The NonProfit Times and The Development Director’s Letter. She volunteers her time as a trainer and instructor for Maryland Nonprofits, Center for Nonprofit Advancement, and the Institute of Policy Studies. Barbara is a former member of the board of directors of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and a past president of the AFP Greater Washington, DC Area Chapter. She received the AFP/DC Chapter’s highest honor in 1997 when she was named outstanding fundraising executive of the year for her leadership and service to the profession Jeanne G. Jacob, CAE, CFRE is Executive Director of Goodwin House Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia, a supporting foundation for Goodwin House Incorporated, a Continuing Care Retirement Community. Previously, she was Vice President of the American Society of Civil Engineers Foundation (ASCE Foundation) in Reston, Virginia where she successfully completed two capital campaigns both of which exceeded their fundraising goals. In addition, she established the Foundation’s annual fund, planned giving, sponsorship, and major gift programs. Prior to joining the ASCE Foundation, Jacob was Vice President for Development, Marketing, and Public Affairs for IMG, an international management consulting firm and Director of Development for the National Academy of Engineering where she directed a $46 million capital campaign. Jacob is president of the Association Foundation Group (AFG), an active member/volunteer for the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Washington, DC Chapter, and for a variety of other nonprofit organizations for which she frequently conducts workshops and seminars. For eight years, she taught the Fundamentals of Fund Raising course at The George Washington University’s Center for Continuing Education. She is a frequent speaker at national conferences including ASAE, CESSE, Destination Showcase, AFG, AFP, and AFP/DC. In 2002, Jacob received the AFP-DC Chapter’s Outstanding Fundraising Professional award.