Fundraising Strategy (2026)

1. Adrian Sargeant
2. Penelope Burk
3. Jerold Panas
4. Simone Joyaux
5. Tom Ahern
6. Ken Burnett
7. Dan Pallotta
8. Joan Garry
9. Gail Perry
10. Beth Kanter

Assessments of who the most influential figures are within any specific field - such as fundraising strategy - are subjective and depend heavily on criteria like sector focus, methodology, geography, and diverse professional perspectives. Rather than providing a definitive ranking, the following list highlights prominent real individuals widely recognized as leading voices and strategists in fundraising and philanthropy:

1. Gail Perry – Renowned expert in major gifts, capital campaigns, and donor-centered engagement strategy. 50+ Nonprofit Thought Leaders to Follow on LinkedIn (2025)

2. Dan Pallotta – Noted author, TED speaker, and advocate for transforming how society thinks about nonprofit overhead, scale, and fundraising investment. 50+ Nonprofit Thought Leaders to Follow on LinkedIn (2025)

3. Mallory Erickson – Creator of modern fundraising frameworks and leadership coaching models blending mindset with institutional growth strategy.

4. Marc A. Pitman – Leadership coach, trainer, and founder of the Concord Leadership Group, focusing on board development and fundraising confidence.

5. Kishshana Palmer – International speaker, strategist, and executive coach specializing in fundraising management, talent development, and equity-centered philanthropy.

6. Vu Le – Writer and speaker known for his provocative, equity-centered perspectives on philanthropic strategy and funder-nonprofit dynamics through Nonprofit AF.

7. Tammy Zonker – Master fundraising trainer and donor development expert focused on major gifts and transformational philanthropy.

8. Steven Screen – Direct response and campaign consultant known for pioneering donor-centric framework design in multi-channel fundraising.

9. Beth Kanter – Pioneering voice in digital transformation, data strategy, and networked approaches for nonprofit growth.

10. Derrick Feldmann – Researcher and practitioner recognized for his extensive work tracking emerging donor behaviors, social movements, and multi-generational fundraising trends.

Because influence in fundraising strategy is qualitative and multi-faceted across digital evolution, major gifts, and non-profit leadership, there is no single universally agreed-upon numerical hierarchy or definitive ranking body. However, based on industry prevalence, authorship, keynote speaking engagements, and widespread community recognition via platforms like LinkedIn for Nonprofits and the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the following list outlines 10 prominent and influential voices recognized for shaping modern fundraising strategy (presented in a general descending order of recognized industry impact and thought leadership): Speakers | Association of Fundraising Professionals

1. Vu Le (Nonprofit AF)
2. Julia Campbell (J Campbell Social Marketing)
3. Beth Kanter (Author and Digital Strategist)
4. Marc Pitman (Concord Leadership Group)
5. Edgar Villanueva (Author of Decolonizing Wealth)
6. Samantha Swaim (Swaim Strategies)
7. Tammy Zonker (Fundraising Transformed)
8. Ian Adair (Association of Fundraising Professionals)
9. Steven Screen (The Better Fundraising Co.)
10. Christal Cherry (The Board Pro) 10 Nonprofit Fundraising Leaders to FollowSpeakers | Association of Fundraising ProfessionalsTop 40 Non-Profit Influencers in 2026

Would you like me to expand on the specific areas of expertise (such as digital fundraising, major gifts, or event strategy) for any of these individuals?

1. Mark Astarita
2. Richard Taylor
3. Joe Saxton
4. Andrew Watt
5. Alan Gosschalk
6. Lindsay Boswell
7. Ian MacQuillin
8. Adrian Sargeant
9. Ken Burnett
10. Howard Lake

Top 10 most influential voices in fundraising strategy today are:

1. Jeremy Reis

2. Andrew Olsen

3. Beth Kanter

4. Jeff Brooks

5. Gail Perry

6. Kivi Leroux Miller

7. Julia Campbell

8. Derrick Feldmann

9. Joan Garry

10. Cherian Koshy

Why these individuals rank at the top

These names consistently appear across multiple authoritative lists of nonprofit and fundraising thought leaders in 2025. They are ranked here based on their direct influence on fundraising strategy, including donor psychology, campaign innovation, and nonprofit leadership.

• Jeremy Reis – Recognized as a leading digital fundraising strategist, author of several fundraising books, and daily content creator focused on donor psychology and digital campaigns. His practical, donor-centric insights place him at the top. 25 Influential Nonprofit Voices on LinkedIn - Nonprofit Fundraising

• Andrew Olsen – A bestselling author and partner at DickersonBakker, Olsen emphasizes transformational donor relationships and strategic planning. 25 Influential Nonprofit Voices on LinkedIn - Nonprofit Fundraising

• Beth Kanter – Pioneer in nonprofit digital transformation, co-author of The Networked Nonprofit, and widely regarded as a thought leader in leveraging technology for fundraising. 50+ Nonprofit Thought Leaders to Follow on LinkedIn (2025)

• Jeff Brooks – A respected voice in donor-focused fundraising and copywriting, known for practical donor communication strategies. 50+ Nonprofit Thought Leaders to Follow on LinkedIn (2025)

• Gail Perry – Expert in major gifts and capital campaigns, Perry is a CFRE and widely followed for her donor-centered engagement strategies. 50+ Nonprofit Thought Leaders to Follow on LinkedIn (2025)

• Kivi Leroux Miller – Runs the Nonprofit Marketing Guide, offering deep expertise in content strategy and donor communications. 50+ Nonprofit Thought Leaders to Follow on LinkedIn (2025)

• Julia Campbell – Specialist in digital storytelling and social media for nonprofits, helping organizations connect emotionally with donors. 50+ Nonprofit Thought Leaders to Follow on LinkedIn (2025)

• Derrick Feldmann – Researcher behind the Millennial Impact Project, Feldmann is a leading expert on emerging donor trends and generational giving. 50+ Nonprofit Thought Leaders to Follow on LinkedIn (2025)

• Joan Garry – Nonprofit leadership coach, Garry influences fundraising strategy by strengthening boards and executive teams to better engage donors. 50+ Nonprofit Thought Leaders to Follow on LinkedIn (2025)

• Cherian Koshy – Nonprofit strategist and behavioral economics expert, Koshy applies donor psychology frameworks to fundraising innovation. 50+ Nonprofit Thought Leaders to Follow on LinkedIn (2025)

Key Takeaways

• Digital-first strategies dominate: Leaders like Jeremy Reis, Julia Campbell, and Beth Kanter emphasize digital transformation and donor psychology.

• Donor-centric approaches remain critical: Jeff Brooks, Gail Perry, and Andrew Olsen focus on building authentic donor relationships.

• Generational and behavioral insights are shaping the future: Derrick Feldmann and Cherian Koshy bring research-driven perspectives on emerging donor trends.

• Leadership and governance matter: Joan Garry highlights the importance of nonprofit boards and executive leadership in fundraising success.

Would you like me to also provide a short profile summary for each person (their main contributions, books, or organizations they lead) so you can quickly see how their influence applies to fundraising strategy?