"Do I have to ask people ... gulp ... for money? Horror. Cue the 'I'm not feeling well' emoji."

Whether new to fundraising, fearful to try, or seeking to take your skills to the next level,

WELCOME TO BIG BOLD FUNDRAISING!

Because, spoiler-alert, fundraising done well is SO much more than making an 'ask.'

Hello, I'm Karen! As a CFRE-certified fundraiser, nonprofit leader, board member, strategist, storyteller, writer, and trainer, I've contributed to raising $42 million over the past 17 years.

Before that, I spent 13 years in for-profit business development, marketing, writing, and coaching, including as a senior leader and national corporate trainer contributing to a division's growth from $80 million to $110 million in three years.

(Perhaps I should just say that I have spent 30 years building relationships and generating revenue. Because whether 'client' or 'donor,' the fundamentals of doing it well are the same.)

My experience coaching boards, nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and marketing professionals - and working with small-to-large nonprofits, healthcare systems, and universities - has revealed a truth:

Fundraising scares people.

No, that's not quite right.

Fundraising scares those that misunderstand what it actually is - and have yet to develop the skills to do it well.

Fundraising starts with FUN for a reason.

Ready for Big. Bold. Fundraising. Success?

Let's start a conversation!

Contact me to receive my free overview 'The Top 10 Myths About Fundraising - and the Real Deal!'

Let's Get to Work.

FUNDRAISING STARTS WITH FUN FOR A REASON.

Because when done well, it is. (And very rewarding!)

It honors how Funding Partners (aka, Donors) seek to make a difference now - and long-term for their desired legacy.

It allows an Organization to create more impact - for the people and communities it serves.

It builds rock-solid relationships leading to long-term partnerships between Funding Partners and Organizations.

When fundraising becomes BIG and BOLD, we spend our valuable time on high-impact, high ROI activities - and kick to the curb 'checking the box' ones because (ugh) 'we've always done it this way.'

Or, maybe, box-checking stops when we learn how to do it better.

Through simple, easy-to-implement, results-focused, no BS-approaches, BIG BOLD FUNDRAISING works with Boards, Leadership, Fundraising & Marketing Teams, and Individual Performers to inform, coach, and help you GET IT DONE.

Time to launch, expand, or improve your fundraising efforts?

Unlock Your Fundraising Potential to Get. It. Done.

Let's Get to Work.

  • Understanding your needs (no one-size-fits-all solutions here) +
  • Agreed-upon goals & timeline +
  • Development of a simple, action-focused plan (emphasis on simple and action) +
  • Skills development coaching and support (board, senior leadership, teams, and/or individuals) +
  • Board, leadership, and staff implementation and repetition +
  • Flexibility to course correct if needed =
  • Measurable progress & success.
  • THE IMPACT: BOLD BOARDS, BOLD LEADERSHIP, BOLD TEAMS, AND BOLD FUNDRAISERS ... WHO ACCOMPLISH BIG BOLD THINGS!

Services to Get Results. Effective Fundraising Takes a Team.

Comprehensive. Customized. Focused. Available In-person or by video conferencing.

  • Coaching + Training: Boards, Fundraising Committees, CEO + Staff Leaders, Fundraising + Marketing Teams, Individual Performers..
  • Board and Staff Retreat Facilitation.
  • Capital Campaign: planning and execution strategy and implementation.
  • Fundraising Program Launch, Relaunch or Development: Major Gifts, Planned/Legacy Giving, Campaigns, Endowment.
  • Communications, Marketing, and Media Relations: Peanut Butter & Jelly, Fundraising & Marketing. Based on budget and goals, development and execution of a high-impact plan that integrates social media, e-communications, print & digital advertising, with targeted messages for general awareness and fundraising achievement.
  • Writing: Diverse awareness, persuasive, training, and fundraising content and collateral to execute the above. Ask me about ghostwriting speeches, event scripts, and media interview prep!

Coming in 2027: Big Bold Fundraising Academy!

A unique on-line training program (trademark app pending) and experience designed to S.P.A.R.K. fundraising excellence through five foundational elements:

  • Skills
  • Performance
  • Attitude
  • Results
  • Kindness + Values

HONORED BY THREE DECADES OF RELATIONSHIPS, CREATING IMPACT TOGETHER COAST-TO-COAST

I have the pleasure of working with Karen while serving with her on the Charitable Gift Planners of Southwest Florida Board of Directors. Karen is an outstanding professional and a seasoned fundraiser. I find her to be a thoughtful and strategic partner who adds value to every conversation and decision. She combines expertise, professionalism, and collaboration in a way that makes her a true asset to any organization. I highly recommend Karen for her skill, integrity, and dedication.
D
Declan Sheehy, nonprofit fundraising, marketing, and team-building executive
Karen has a depth of experience across a number of areas from training and development to sales to management. Among her many gifts, she is easily one of the best trainers I've ever encountered. She has that rare ability to quickly and accurately pinpoint the root of a problem, provide constructive feedback, and then solve it in a collaborative fashion. It is very easy to have a connection with Karen. She is thoroughly invested in her work, in people and their development, and in success. And for all her talents, Karen is also a gem of a person.
J
Jennifer Henderson, executive and former leader of a team trained by Karen
Karen was a leader over a large territory of business development professionals and from her high level of personal success, was placed in a national training and development role. As a peer in another division, I visited many of the same locations as Karen. I was directly aware of her stellar reputation from the praises of those she trained after she left an office. Mostly, the items you heard associated with Karen included genuinely cared, always prepared, knows her material, and helped me to grow professionally. I have confided in Karen at certain points in my career as I trust her judgment. She is a tremendous resource for coaching and mentoring.
R
Randy Gartz, business executive and corporate training leader
I enthusiastically provide this reference for my colleague, Karen Zelden. An accomplished writer, Karen authored the published biography, Doggett Determination: Believing in Yourself to Create Success in Life and Business. Karen impressed me with her exceptional writing and editing abilities; competence; attention to detail; and professionalism. She put her decades of business and leadership experience to good use and displayed skill in making understandable [the book's] complex business transactions - no easy feat! I enthusiastically recommend Karen to anyone in need of an exceptional writer, and look forward to working with her again in the future.
L
Larry C. Farrell, Founder & Chairman, The Farrell Company Internationally-recognized expert on researching and teaching entrepreneurship and writer of five published books
I had the opportunity to work with Karen when she managed a fundraising campaign for a large hospital system. She did a wonderful job understanding our mission in the community and created a fundraising proposal for the campaign that worked within our budget, addressed the needs of future patients, and reflected positively on everyone involved. Karen listens actively, responds creatively, and works tirelessly to guide a project from concept to completion along with her impressive attention to detail and exceptionally positive attitude.
S
Steve Brechbiel, retired executive of corporate major gift donor identified and developed by Karen
Karen's strategic approach and collaborative style brought our board and campaign committee together. She created innovative campaigns, including P.A.C.T. (Physicians Aligned for Children Today) which raised over $1.3 million. Her leadership and fundraising expertise played a key role in helping us reach our $20 million goal. She was a pleasure to work with!
A
Andy Cook, former board member and campaign cabinet member, WakeMed Foundation
I have had the privilege of working with Karen over many years in multiple professional contexts, including at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and WakeMed Health & Hospitals. I can say without hesitation that she is one of the most effective and strategic fundraising leaders I have encountered. Karen brings a rare combination of vision, discipline, and emotional intelligence to her work. She is exceptionally polished and professional, with the kind of energy and approachability that enables her to connect with stakeholders at every level. Her CFRE certification reflects what I observed firsthand - deep expertise paired with consistent results as evidenced by her multi-million campaign success. When it comes to marketing, Karen is a persuasive communicator and an equally talented writer; I place high value on her experience and insights. Her work reflects integrity and commitment to excellence. I am confident that organizations partnering with Big Bold Fundraising will benefit enormously from her proven ability to deliver best-in-class services.
K
Kiecha Berzins, nonprofit and for-profit marketing and communications leader
KAREN'S UPCOMING SPEAKING Sharing Ideas in Conversation that Inform and Transform

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

8:00-9:30 am

'Integrity Before Investment: Six Essential Values for Fundraising Success'

Presented by Karen Zelden

Hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals SWFL

Carlisle Inn & Conference Center

Sarasota, Florida