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Leah E. Olm

Fundraising Coach

Headshot of a smiling person of light skin tone with long curly light brown hair, wearing a dark green shirt and leaning against a rock wall.
Photo Credit: Leah E. Olm

Bio

A native Duluthian, Leah’s been organizing money and people for 16 years. In her ten years of full-time individual fundraising, she organized kissing booths and foursquare tournaments. She developed fundraising relationships with students and elders, wealthy folks and folks with little. She often had a fundraising budget of zero dollars, so she’s learned how to solicit donations of donuts and beer, take major donors out for coffees instead of lunches, and host guerilla-style events in public places so she wouldn’t have to pay for space. So it’s fair to assume that if you’re running into a snag in your fundraising, Leah’s been there.

Recent Articles

  • Students use hammers and chisels to carve dovetails keys into the base of the boat as Douglas Brooks' traditional Japanese wooden boatbuilding apprentices.

    Fundraising 101: Fundraising from Scratch

    Assertiveness is important for fundraising, but it doesn't come naturally to many development and advancement professionals. This article outlines a way to create an effective ask that generates donations or support for your nonprofit.