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)
Adam Fazio, Benefactor Group
Adam Morgan, MVP Advisors
Aguanetta Betts, George Mason University
Allen Thomas, Thomas Charitable Advisors
Anne McClintock, Harvard University
Ben Madonia, Hamilton College
Beth Kanter, The Smart Nonprofit / Happy Healthy Nonprofit
Brad Caswell, Acadia Squam Group
Brent West, High Peaks Alliance
Brent West, Highpoint Alliance
Brian Marquez, Southern Scholarship Foundation
Brian Saber, Asking Matters
Cam Kelly, Duke University
Camilyn Leone, University of Virginia Law
Cassandra Grimes, English Hudson Consulting
Catherine Pulkrabek, L’evate Non-Profit Consultants
Chelsea Brown, Outlier Media
Cheryl Mott Smith, Kairos Trust
Chris Needles, Wounded Warrior Project
Claire Axelrad, Clairification
Cole Eason, Truman Heartland Community Foundation
Conrad Teitell, Taxwise Giving
Courtney Backen, GiveMN
Craig Shelley, Carey & Co.
Creal Zearing, Gathering Waters: Wisconsin’s Alliance for Land Trusts
Cynthia Pritchard, State System Foundation
Dan Miller, Navy Seabee Foundation
Dan Rice, Alliance Community Foundation
Dan Rice, 4Alliance Community Foundation
Daniel Burgner, The George Washington University
Daniel Minich, CSU Pueblo Foundation
Daniel P. Condoluci-Smith, Humane Animal Partners
Dale Keshishian, HealthWorks Academies
Deb Havighorst, Prairie State College Foundation
Debbie Shupp, The Parkesburg Point
Dennis Carlson, General Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists
Dennis Haber, Ziglar Legacy / Don’t Play With Fire
Dien Yuen, Daylight Advisors
Dolores Nypaver, Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh
Doris Parent, Philadelphia Orchestra
Dwayne Walton, The Parkesburg Point
Ed Cable, Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Eddie Thompson, Thompson and Associates
Elizabeth Fitzgerald, Kronstadt Consulting
Elizabeth Racheva, The Phillips Collection
Elizabeth Thompson, World Relief
Ellen Jones, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Emily Wills, Madison Reading Project
Erin Lawson, United Way of Frederick County
Gary Bukowski, Sarah A Reed Children’s Center
Gail Perry, Gail Perry Group
Heidi Bagwell, Easter Seals Midwest
Jack Duggan, Launch Legacy Consulting
James Gold, Accordant Health
James Salley, Africa University
Jan Rich, For the Love of Cats
Jane Danek, Princeton University
Jennifer Amarnick, Jupiter Medical Center Foundation
Jennifer Green, Alpha Bravo Canine
Jeff Cline, ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter
Jeff Comfort, Oregon State University
Jeff Mueller, American Heart Association
Jeffrey W. Cline, ALS United Mid-Atlantic
Jessica Gottlieb, Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation
Jim Langley, Langley Innovations
Jim Murphy, Episcopal Church Foundation
Joe Anderson, Lutheran Life Communities Foundation
Joe Garecht, Garecht & Associations
Joe Tumolo, Donor Centric Fundraising
John Lepp, Agents of Good
John Nersesian, PIMCO
Johnne Syverson, Charitable Giving Resource Center
Josefa Bethea-Wall, Africa University, Inc.
Jory Barrad, The Pathway School
Judy Frazier, We The Kids, Inc
Kara Robertson, Prism Philanthropy
Karla Aho, Michigan Technological University
Kathryn Miree, Kathryn W. Miree & Associates, Inc.
Keith Jameson, Dementia Society of America
Kevin L. Brown, Fundable and Findable
Kenneth Meifert, National Baseball Hall of Fame
Kyle Rhinehelder, Navy SEAL Museum
Larry Chinn, New Life Church
Larry Raff, Copley Raff
Laura Alpert, MAB Community Services
Laura MacDonald, Benefactor Group
Leigh Brown Perkins, Blackbaud
Linda Garrison, Acuity Consulting
Lizzie Covington, Wisconsin Humane Society
Lynn Brynes, The Bryn Mawr School
Lynn Elsken Brynes, The Bryn Mawr School
Lynn Ierardi, University of Pennsylvania
Marc Pitman, Concord Leadership Group
Marilyn Van Houten, NYU Langone Health
Marlo Schalesky, Wonder Wood Ranch
Mark Mills, Smithsonian Institution
Mark Seeley, Reformed Theological Seminary
Mark Troyer, Asbury University
Marcus Ippolito, Community FoodBank of New Jersey
Marjorie Parker, JobsFirstNYC
Mary Paxton, JumpStart Inc.
Matt Sleezer, Kaleida Health Foundation
Melissa Braillard, WUCF TV & WUCF FM
Megan Simmons, Benefactor Group
Meredith Sossman, MM&C Consulting
Michael Einbinder-Schatz, Life Lessons Collective
Michelle Aquino Mooney, Philanthropy.org / Rise Against Suicide
Michelle Gollapalli, ECRI Institute
Michelle Khateri, Pacific Charter Academy
Mike Esposito, Fundraising Consultant / Mike Esposito Fundraising
Mindy Aleman, Kent State University
Nancy Fridman, Fridman Strategies
Nate Broeckert, Coal Creek Meals on Wheels
Nathan Alvarez, Greater New Orleans Foundation
Nigel Allen, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Foundation
Patience Boudreaux, Rideout Foundation
Patrick O’Donnell, GIVING Magazine / Philanthropy.org
Paul Chip Hurd, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley
Paul Weaver, Akron Zoo
Paul Yeghiayan, American University of Armenia / AFP Global
Pazit Levitan, The Path to Impact
Penelope Burk, Cygnus Applied Research, Inc.
Petrina Williams, Susan B. Anthony
Phil Bloyd, SAR Foundation
Rhett Wilson, White House Historical Association
Rebecca Locke, American Red Cross
Rebecca Price-Janney, Author
Rebecca Watkins, National Park Foundation
Richard Olson, Shriners Children
Ron Smith, ViTreo Group / AFP Calgary
Roxanne Smith, University of Louisiana Monroe Foundation
Russell James, Texas Tech University
Ryan Park, Upbring
Sam Samuels, Smith College
Sandra Pollack, Daughters of the American Revolution
Sara Bastiani, Queen of Green
Scott Janney, The Salvation Army
Scott Lumpkin, Scott R. Lumpkin & Associates
Scott Thomas, Stewardship Matters, Inc.
Seetha Aiyar, Hindu American Foundation
Shannon Neblett, Heart of the Valley YMCA
Shari Hunter, Two & Company
Shelita G. Bourgeois, The National World War II Museum
Stuart Sullivan, Shriners Children
Steve Clark, Virginia Tech
Steve Grourke, The American College
Stephanie Cory, Stephanie Cory Consulting
Stephen Frey, Geneva College Foundation
Sue Harpole, St. Jude Children’s Hospital
Susan Campbell, Polk County Community Foundation
Suzanne Lutz, Robert Kennedy Center for Justice
Tania Yount, Barnabas Center
Todd Wenzel, WYZE / seCuREgift
Troy Nuss, Ronald McDonald House of Delaware
Vincent Robinson, The 360 Group
Wayne Lynch, Global School Consulting Group
Wayne Olson, Shriners Children
Wes Davis, West End Neighborhood House
William Curtis, CommonSpirit Health
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.
