Karin is the principal of Mission Forward Consulting, a firm focused on strengthening mission and fundraising outcomes for nonprofits. Her expertise includes managing fundraising campaigns and development departments, leading small to mid-sized nonprofits, oversight of major fundraising events, and organizing retreats.
In her consultant capacity, Karin has served as Interim Chief Development Officer for Samaritans, Campaign Manager for Friends of Holly Hill Farm, Executive Coach to the African American Museum and Retreat/Meeting Planner for the Zenie Foundation.
Previous to launching Mission Forward Consulting in January 2024, Karin effectively led non-profit departments and organizations from 2005-2023. Her professional experience spans a university, an international think tank, a national foundation, independent schools and human services and housing organizations.
Most recently, Karin successfully led a $13M deeply affordable housing organization in Greater Boston through the pandemic where she strengthened the staff culture, built best DEIB practices throughout every aspect of the organization, managed efforts to raise over $20M, built and directed four bedrock programs, and oversaw a rebranding and comprehensive communications strategy. Her efforts resulted in a strong highly effective team, 150% increase in charitable donations through grants, events, and corporate and individual giving programs, all 34 properties being brought to a higher level of function and dignity, and thousands of lives of marginalized individuals improved.
Previously, she led development efforts for a $4M agency serving unhoused young adults, raising 95% of the annual operating budget. During that tenure, she helped launch the opening of the only youth shelter in Greater Boston at the time and was awarded the Bank of America Emerging Leader Award.
Earlier in her career, she led the fundraising efforts at Providence Country Day School and supported fundraising efforts for The Wheeler School in Providence, RI, Harvard University, The School Food Service Foundation in Washington, D.C. and the Japan Center for International Exchange in New York City and Tokyo. In the last 20 years, Karin has consistently surpassed fundraising goals and secured the largest gift in the history of each organization.
LinkedIn Profile: Karin Cassel Mitterando