Donna Patterson’s nonprofit and fundraising experience spans three decades, several states and more than 40 countries. Since 2007, Patterson has put her extensive resume to work in her hometown, where she recently moved into the position of chief global fundraising officer at Enactus after serving as president of Enactus United States.
Patterson began her career in 1977 as the founding executive director of Rape Crisis Assistance Inc., now known as The Victim Center. She moved from Springfield to Arkansas, where she worked at a regional fundraising consultant firm and then transitioned into the nonprofit arts world at organizations in Little Rock, Ark., Dallas, Fort Worth, Texas, and Charlotte, N.C.
When Patterson returned to the Ozarks, she brought experience ranging from marketing and management to fundraising and donor development.
“I have raised hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of the important missions of my employers and clients,” Patterson says. “I have been known for my nonprofit leadership in establishing strategic visions and creating comprehensive funding models that nurture and sustain long-lasting relationships with donors. I … enjoy providing leadership and mentoring to staff while always being attentive about their individual career growth goals.”
As president of Enactus – formerly known as Students In Free Enterprise – Patterson was responsible for strategy and implementation of all operations in the U.S., the largest country Enactus serves.
“This includes managing partner relationships with 365 global corporate donor companies, including yearly fundraising and benefits delivery to existing donors,” Patterson says. “The collegiate program includes nearly 600 active colleges and universities and more than 22,000 students.”
She restructured the funding model, expanded sponsorship offerings and developed strategic project partnerships.
“The long-term results of the improvements to our funding model have resulted in notably increased and sustainable levels of giving to Enactus,” Patterson says. “As the oldest and largest national program in the Enactus network, the U.S. program was steeped in the past, was shrinking in numbers and the level of excellence was declining. I led a deep dive analytic analysis … with the end result that we committed to make extensive changes to the U.S. program to set it back on the right track.”
Patterson started Sept. 1 as chief global fundraising officer, working with top donors and prospects around the world while focusing on fundraising, training and resources. Last year, Patterson traveled 183 days out of the year.
“Sometimes it wears you out, but you get used to it. It’s a lifestyle,” she says.
