30 Years of nonprofit Leadership & Fundraising.
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“The campaign would never have gotten off the ground without Martha. I am so appreciative of the perspective, intuition, professional diplomacy and graceful skill she brought to the fundraising process.” –Bonnie Keet Adams, board member Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation, volunteer fundraiser and philanthropist, 2024
“Martha helped me lead more professionally as board president and educated the board on the importance of succession planning. I highly recommend Martha as a nonprofit business consultant.” —Sandra Hildreth, Saranac Lake ArtWorks co-founder and board president, 2023
“Martha taught us how to fish.” — A satisfied Northern Lights School board member, 2022, referring to the saying, “give a woman a fish and she eats for a day. Teach her how to fish and she eats for a lifetime.”
About…
Martha Spear has served as a professional nonprofit fundraiser, director, volunteer, elected school board member and consultant for over thirty years, specializing in small and rural organizations. She builds relationships and raises money through individual gifts large and small, capital and annual campaigns, grants from private and public sources, strategic planning and governance. Throughout her career, she has helped nonprofits grow, build relationships, raise more money, and plan for their future, all through a social justice lens.
Selected Clients
- Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation – case for support writing, fundraising strategy, implemented a campaign that raised 40% of its goal in six weeks
- Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts – feasibility study for a $1.5M capital campaign
- Akwesasne Boys & Girls Club – $10M capital campaign close-out consulting, grants program buildout
- Homeward Bound Adirondacks – start-up fundraising and grant writing
- Lake Placid Sinfonietta – centennial campaign fundraising role plays and training
- New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) – retreat leader for NYS school boards on various topics
- Northern Lights School – fundraising, board development and organizational management
- Paul Smiths College – government and private funder grants and report writing
- Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce – workshops on fundraising and nonprofit management
- Saranac Lake ArtWorks – program management and administration including fundraising and events
- Shipman Youth Center – grant writing and program development