I’m thrilled to share that Patrick O’Donnell will be taking the helm of GIVING magazine as executive editor, and will also serve as editorial director for GIVING’s sister site, Philanthropy.org.
Patrick is a writer, editor and author who’s been working with the PlannedGiving.com brand for almost 10 years. He is the founder of O’Donnell Editorial Services, where he offers consulting and editorial services that help nonprofits hone their communications and drive supporter engagement. He specializes in storytelling, attention-grabbing appeal letters, and planned giving content.
Patrick brings more than 30 years of writing and editing experience to the table. He has a very strong background in journalism, having served in various editorial roles at three major metropolitan newspapers and several magazines. He also has over a decade of print and digital nonprofit and b2b marketing experience.
Patrick holds a bachelor of arts degree from East Stroudsburg University in English, and has earned advanced certificates in creative writing, digital marketing, and social media marketing. In addition to running his own company, he is also a children’s book author, nonfiction author, and a ghostwriter for senior-level executives.
An avid volunteer, he serves as Assistant Scoutmaster with his local BSA Troop. He lives in beautiful rural Berks County, Pa., with his two teen sons, a rescue dog, and a wide variety of wildlife. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, gardening on his homestead, kayaking, hiking, and learning to play bass guitar. He is also an accomplished nature photographer—you can see some of his work here.
To learn more about Patrick, check out his website: Patrickfodonnell.com, or connect with him on LinkedIn.
Welcome Michelle Aquino – Assistant Editor at GIVING Magazine
We’re excited to also announce that Michelle Aquino has joined the GIVING magazine team as Assistant Editor, supporting Executive Editor Patrick O’Donnell.
Michelle brings fresh energy and a strong background in nonprofit communications, development, and outreach. With experience working directly in the fundraising trenches, she understands what resonates with both donors and development professionals. In her role, Michelle will help manage contributor outreach, coordinate article submissions, and ensure our editorial process runs smoothly—from pitch to publication.
She is passionate about elevating new voices in the philanthropic sector and is already playing a key role in shaping upcoming issues of GIVING. Contributors may hear from her directly as she helps expand our community of thought leaders.
Past Contributors (Partial List)
Gail Perry, Gail Perry Group
Jim Langley, Langley Innovations
Eddie Thompson, Thompson and Associates
Russell James, Texas Tech University
Sam Samuels, Smith College
Sue Harpole, St. Jude Children’s Hospital
John Nersesian, PIMCO
Conrad Teitell, Taxwise Giving
Stuart Sullivan, Shriners Children
Deb Havighorst, Prairie State College Foundation
Mark Seeley, Reformed Theological Seminary
Anne McClintock, Harvard University
Jeffrey Cline, ALS Association
Lynn Elsken Brynes, The Bryn Mawr School
Penelope Burk, Cygnus Applied Research, Inc.
Kevin L. Brown, Fundable and Findable
Mike Esposito, Fundraising Consultant
Steve Clark, Virginia Tech
Ed Cable, Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Ben Madonia, Hamilton College
Jeff Comfort, Oregon State University
Josefa Bethea-Wall, Africa University, Inc.
Dennis Carlson, General Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists
Marilyn Van Houten, NYU Langone Health
Steven Clark, Virginia Tech
Kathryn Miree, Kathryn W. Miree & Associates, Inc.
Kim Johnson, Mount St. Mary’s University
Meredith Sossman, MM&C Consulting
Delia G. Perez, Fairleigh Dickinson University
James Salley, Africa University
Joe Garecht, Garecht & Associations
Paul Chip Hurd, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley
Larry Raff, Copley Raff
Dr. Sarah K. Nathan, Middletown Community Foundation
Stephanie Cory, Stephanie Cory Consulting
Lynn Ierardi, University of Pennsylvania
Russell James, Texas Tech University
Sandra Pollack, Daughters of the American Revolution
Nigel Allen, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Foundation
Mindy Aleman, Kent State University
Kenneth Meifert, National Baseball Hall of Fame
Tania Yount, Barnabas Center
Joe Tumolo, Donor Centric Fundraising
Gary Bukowski, Sarah A Reed Children’s Center
Camilyn Leone, University of Virginia Law
Jeff Mueller, American Heart Association
Dale Keshishian, HealthWorks Academies
Andre Gorgenyi, Tower Hill Botanic Garden
Jim Murphy, Episcopal Church Foundation
Jane Danek, Princeton University
Rebecca Price-Janney, Author
Michael Einbinder-Schatz, Life Lessons Collective
Suzanne Lutz, Robert Kennedy Center for Justice
Seetha Aiyar, Hindu American Foundation
Debbie Shupp, The Parkesburg Point
Steve Grourke, The American College
Dan Rice, Alliance Community Foundation
Scott Janney, The Salvation Army
Jory Barrad, The Pathway School
Cynthia Pritchard, State System Foundation
Michelle Gollapalli, ECRI Institute
Allen Thomas, Thomas Charitable Advisors
Nanette Fridman, Fridman Strategies
Sylvia Bastani, Girard College
Cam Kelly, Duke University
Kevin Jameson, Dementia Society of America
Daniel P. Condoluci-Smith, Humane Animal Partners
Elizabeth Fitzgerald, Kronstadt Consulting
Creal Zearing, Gathering Waters: Wisconsin’s Alliance for Land Trusts
Marlo Schalesky, Wonder Wood Ranch
Judy Frazier, We The Kids, Inc
Rhett Wilson, White House Historical Association
Jennifer Green, Alpha Bravo Canine
John Lepp, Agents of Good
Johnne Syverson, Charitable Giving Resource Center
William Curtis, CommonSpirit Health
Brad Caswell, Acadia Squam Group
Amy Varga, The Varga Group
Dien Yuen, Daylight Advisors
Brian Saber, Asking Matters
Elizabeth Thompson, World Relief
Claire Axelrad, Clairification
Stephen Frey, Geneva College Foundation
Linda Garrison, Acuity Consulting
Carolyn Ridley, Asbury University
Cole Eason, Truman Heartland Community Foundation
Wayne Lynch, Global School Consulting Group
Phil Bloyd, SAR Foundation
Petrina Williams, Susan B. Anthony
Troy Nuss, Ronald McDonald House of Delaware
Matt Sleezer, Kaleida Health Foundation
Jessica Gottlieb, Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation
James Gold, Accordant Health
Scott Lumpkin, Scott R. Lumpkin & Associates
Ramona Ramadar, The Salvation Army
Michelle Staes, United Way of Atlanta
Pazit Levitan, The Path to Impact
Chelsea Brown, Outlier Media
Chris Needles, Wounded Warrior Project
Rebecca Locke, American Red Cross
Wayne Olson, Shriners Children
Wes Davis, West End Neighborhood House
Doris Parent, Philadelphia Orchestra
Dwayne Walton, The Parkesburg Point
Leigh Brown Perkins, Blackbaud
Ryan Park, Upbring
Brent West, High Peaks Alliance
Kimberly Johnson, Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart
Elizabeth Racheva, The Phillips Collection
Mark Mills, Smithsonian Institution
Larry Chinn, New Life Church
Patience Boudreaux, Rideout Foundation
Susan Campbell, Polk County Community Foundation
Shari Hunter, Two & Company
Adam Morgan, MVP Advisors
Cheryl Mott Smith, Kairos Trust
Patience Boudreaux. Rideout Foundation
Aquanetta Betts, George Mason University
Dolores Nypaver, Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh
Kim Timko Johnson, Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart
Melissa Braillard, WUCF TV & WUCF FM
Jennifer Amarnick, Jupiter Medical Center Foundation
Lynn Brynes, The Bryn Mawr School
Phil Bloyd, Sons of the American Revolution Foundation
Shelita G. Bourgeois, The National World War II Museum
Karen Alonso, United Way of Southern Nevada
Brent West, Highpoint Alliance
Dan Rice, 4Alliance Community Foundation
Michelle Khateri, Pacific Charter Academy
Cheryl Mott Smith, Kairos Trust
Mark Troyer, Asbury University
Rebecca Watkins, National Park Foundation
Jeffrey W. Cline, ALS United Mid-Atlantic
Emily Wills, Madison Reading Project
Daniel Minich, CSU Pueblo Foundation
Doris Parent, Philadelphia Orchestra
Mark Mills, Smithsonian
Sylvia Bastiani, Queen of Green
Gary Bukowski. Sarah A. Reed Children’s Center
Shannon Neblett, Heart of the Valley YMCA
Nathan Alvarez, Greater New Orleans Foundation
Cam Kelly, Duke University
Rebecca Locke, American National Red Cross
Cassandra Grimes, English Hudson Consulting
Craig Shelley, Carey & Co.
Brian Marquez, Southern Scholarship Foundation
Karla Aho, Michigan Technological University
Heidi Bagwell, Easter Seals Midwest
Mike Esposito, Mike Esposito Fundraising
Joe Anderson, Lutheran Life Communities Foundation
Why You Should Contribute
Contributing isn’t just about writing an article—it’s about lifting up your peers, sharing what works, and helping others navigate the challenges of fundraising. Whether you’re offering a fresh idea, a hard-earned lesson, or a new way to approach donor relationships, your words can make a real impact.
Plus, as a contributor, you will:
- Be featured in print & online – Your article will appear in Giving: Today and Tomorrow, reaching fundraisers nationwide.
- Help others in the field – Your insights could save someone time, spark new ideas, or provide encouragement.
- Expand your influence – Your voice matters, and this is a chance to share it with a larger audience.
- Join a community of professionals – Connect with fellow fundraisers, nonprofit leaders, and experts who share your passion.
- Enhance your credibility – Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the field, contributing helps build your reputation as someone who cares and contributes.
- Join an Exclusive Network – Our contributors include top nonprofit experts, fundraisers, and consultants.
- Increase Your Professional Opportunities – Many past contributors have gained speaking engagements, consulting clients, and new business opportunities.
