I’m Tammie Ruda, and, as a first-generation college alumna, I’ve witnessed the transformational power of education and of philanthropy. As a consultant, I’m committed to bringing those benefits to the institutions with which I partner.

Recognizing that fundraising is an art and a science, I help clients enhance their data-based decision-making and strengthen their relationship-based fundraising and engagement efforts.

Since 2019, I have consulted with educational institutions and other nonprofits to provide services that include analyzing and interpreting historic and current results; assessing readiness for annual, capital, and comprehensive campaigns; making recommendations and partnering with clients through the implementation process; coaching and training staff and volunteers; and building the infrastructure required to manage and execute fundraising and engagement efforts.

Before becoming a consultant, I spent over 25 years in higher education and worked on five major fundraising campaigns, including three with goals over $1B. I led the annual funds at Harvard and Brown and served for three years as chair of the Annual Giving Directors’ Consortium. I also led prospect management, database conversion, and advancement information technology teams and helped establish the Alumni of Color Initiative, a comprehensive fundraising effort which engaged self-identified African American, Asian American, Latinx, Native American, and multiracial alumni in philanthropy to Brown University.