Shannon speaks to nonprofit boards and fundraising teams about major and mega gifts, board fundraising, and capital campaigns.
She brings more than 20 years of doing this work, including directing Second Harvest of Silicon Valley’s $150 million capital campaign. As a Chief Philanthropy Officer, she led a 30-person team raising more than $70 million a year.
SPEAKING
Talks and trainings that change how nonprofit boards and teams approach fundraising.
RECENTLY SPOKE AT
$300M+
Raised
80+
six-, seven-, and eight-figure gifts secured
50+
Nonprofits served
200+
Board members trained
Signature Talks
Every talk comes with an Implementation Toolkit attendees can use right away.
From Obligation to Ownership
A Framework for Effective Board Fundraising
Why the most stubborn board fundraising problems are design problems, and how to build the team, peer accountability, and board-staff trust that board fundraising depends on.
Best for: EDs and CEOs, development staff and leaders, board chairs, and full boards
You'll leave with: Six simple tools your board and staff can use to put the framework into practice right away.
Positioning Your Team for Major & Mega Gifts
How Nonprofits Break Through to 7- and 8-Figure Gifts
Why organizations with talented teams and loyal donors still stall at six figures, and what changes when a team asks for more, makes the case for what the organization could become, and gives big opportunities time to grow.
Best for: EDs and CEOs, CDOs, and major gift officers
You'll leave with: Tools your team can use to set bigger asks together and keep its largest donor relationships moving.
Before the Feasibility Study
How to Know When Your Nonprofit Is Ready to Raise More
Feasibility studies are a significant investment. Before deciding to commission one, there is a lot your board and leadership should know and talk through about donors, leadership gifts, and your own capacity to run a campaign.
Best for: Boards, executive leaders, and development teams considering a campaign
You'll leave with: The questions to answer internally before you decide whether a feasibility study is worth the investment.
Recent & Upcoming Speaking
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The Board Moves Method: Board Fundraising Made Easy
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From Obligation to Ownership: A Framework for Effective Board Fundraising, presented at Northern California’s regional gathering for fundraising professionals, nonprofit leaders, board members, consultants, and philanthropic partners
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Co-presenter of Why Your Board Isn’t Fundraising (And What Actually Works), an interactive session on moving boards from uncertainty to purposeful fundraising action.
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More Money, More Problems? Navigating Sudden Abundance, a conversation with Bay Area nonprofit leaders about what happens after a transformational unrestricted gift, including donor communication, internal decision-making, and fundraising strategy.
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Opening Doors: The Real Role of Board Members in Fundraising, a practical session on helping board members build trust, spark interest, and open doors within their networks.
AFP Golden Gate, June 2026
AFP Silicon Valley, August 2026
Invite Shannon to speak.
Tell us about your event or organization. We’ll follow up within two business days.
Let's talk about what you're working through.
Whether you're considering a capital campaign, trying to engage your board in fundraising, or working through a fundraising team challenge that doesn't have an obvious answer, let's start with a conversation.
In our complimentary 30-minute introductory call, we'll talk through what you're trying to accomplish and whether Gravity Collective is the right partner for your goals.