Elizabeth Abel

Elizabeth is a thought leader in philanthropy and expert in nonprofit fundraising. She has led capital campaigns and development initiatives that have collectively raised nearly one billion dollars for education, healthcare, arts and culture, and advocacy organizations.

Since joining CCS in 2013, Elizabeth has partnered with institutions to plan and implement large-scale fundraising campaigns with revenue goals ranging from $5 million to over $1 billion. In this role, she provides counsel on strategic planning, major gifts fundraising, and board engagement. Elizabeth has also directed feasibility and campaign planning studies, served in interim development roles, and managed annual campaigns and special fundraising events.

Elizabeth has been recognized by BELLA Magazine as a “Woman of Influence in Philanthropy.” She is an Instructor at the University of Pennsylvania, where she teaches “Fundraising & Philanthropy: The Donor Journey” to graduate students in the Nonprofit Leadership Program. Elizabeth serves on the Board of the Nonprofit Leadership Program Alumni Association, and in 2020, she was inducted into the School of Social Policy and Practice Alumni Hall of Fame for her work with mission-driven organizations. An active community leader, Elizabeth serves on the Association of Fundraising Professionals New York City Chapter Mentorship Committee. You can find Elizabeth offering her fundraising expertise at industry conferences, on nonprofit podcasts, and on social media platforms including LinkedIn and Instagram.

Elizabeth’s belief in social justice influenced her fundraising career: In rural Rwanda, she volunteered at a youth village for vulnerable Rwandan youth that was founded in the aftermath of the 1994 genocide. In Jaipur, India, she lived and studied the generational empowerment of Indian women, working with mothers seeking to build lives of dignity and prosperity for themselves and their families. These global experiences—grounded in the values of inclusion, diversity, equity, and access—motivated Elizabeth to improve the world through philanthropy. She incorporates these values and intentional practices daily, as an Executive at CCS Fundraising, an Instructor at UPenn, and a mother.

Elizabeth holds a Masters in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts from Tufts University. Elizabeth resides in Manhattan with her husband and daughter. She is an avid traveler, glacial lake hiker, tea drinker, and toddler chaser.

Featured Content

1. NonProfitPRO: Are You Ready for a Capital Campaign? 5 Questions to Consider as You Plan for the Future (6/16/22)

2. Nonprofit Nation: You Made “The Ask” – Now What? (8/24/22)

3. We Are For Good: Giving USA 2022: Breaking Down the Philanthropy Trends (7/20/22)

4. NonProfitPRO: Redefining Philanthropy for 2022: Five Strategies to Inspire Giving in a New Year (1/12/22)

5. NonProfitPRO: What’s Your People’s Strategic Plan? Why Nonprofit Leaders Should Invest in Talent and Culture (9/23/21)