About...

Wendy Smith is an experienced fundraising professional who has worked in the nonprofit sector for the past 20 years, including work in direct services, program administration, development, consulting, and board membership. She is a Certified Fundraising Professional (conferred by CFRE International) and has a master’s degree in education and a bachelor’s degree in marketing. Wendy is currently the Director of Foundation and Government Relations at Building with Books, an international organization that constructs schools in developing countries and runs youth development programs in the U.S.

With her background in philanthropy, Wendy has a broad understanding of how the nonprofit sector operates, what makes programs effective, and what motivates donors to give. She is inspired by the generosity of everyday citizens and passionate about helping them give effectively. Writing When a Little Means a Lot: The Power of Affordable Donations expresses this passion.

Wendy has written hundreds of successful grant proposals and fundraising letters to individuals. She has written annual reports, marketing materials, and articles for newsletters and community publications. Wendy has also conducted public relations for private sector businesses and nonprofits. She has been interviewed about fundraising and quoted in professional periodicals. She has conducted numerous workshops and taught courses at a community college. She is a dynamic and motivating public speaker.

Wendy has reserved the websites TheGivingGuru.org and WhenaLittleMeansaLot.org in order to support this book. Her plans for widening the reach of her project include a regular blog and a column in an online or print magazine aimed at helping readers navigate the process of making personal donations.