Pronouns
she/her
What do you do as a consultant/coach?
Gabi Cole Social Enterprise partners with social and community organizations to transform fundraising into a values-driven, equity-centered practice. By prioritizing resource sharing, well-being, collective power, and shared learning, we create sustainable pathways for organizations to thrive without compromising their values.
What is your approach?Â
- Racial Equity & Justice – We challenge and disrupt systemic barriers in fundraising that exclude or undervalue BIPOC-led organizations. Our work is rooted in justice, ensuring that fundraising aligns with the needs and leadership of those most impacted.
- Authentic Relationships – We believe philanthropy should be built on trust, transparency, and mutual accountability. We foster deep, meaningful connections between organizations and funders that center shared purpose over transactions.
- Sustainability & Liberation – We reject the scarcity mindset in fundraising. Instead, we champion long-term, community-centered solutions that ensure organizations have the resources they need to achieve transformative change.
- Values-Driven Practices – We refuse to compromise our values for funding. Our work is guided by integrity, ensuring that financial sustainability is not achieved at the cost of mission, people, or ethics.
- Resource Sharing & Collective Power – Fundraising should be an act of solidarity, not competition. We encourage open sharing of knowledge, strategies, and resources to uplift organizations and movements working toward justice.
- Well-Being & Community Care – We reject burnout culture and center healing, rest, and joy as necessary components of sustainable fun.
How has your experience/background contributed to your work?
As a consultant, I work with organizations to help them build sustainable growth and achieve their goals through thoughtful, tailored strategies. I specialize in development planning, both for short- and long-term needs, and focus on creating strong foundations for donor relationships through stewardship and cultivation strategies. I also facilitate engaging workshops and training sessions that empower teams and leaders, covering topics such as social justice, grassroots development, and the critical role of leadership in fundraising. In addition to strategic planning and training, I offer speaking engagements on key issues like health and wellness, Black leadership, Black equity, and effective fundraising. I provide grant support, including proposal language development, alignment strategies, and grant management tools to ensure organizations can secure and manage funding effectively. I also conduct research through landscape analyses and environmental scans to help organizations better understand their external landscape and opportunities for growth. To support communication efforts, I work on creating key collateral like organizational slide decks, one-pagers, appeal messaging, and case statements that help tell your organization’s story and connect with donors. When it comes to fundraising campaigns, I assist in designing and implementing programs such as annual funds, major donor programs, and capacity-building campaigns, ensuring messaging is aligned with the organization’s mission and vision. At the core of my work is a passion for empowering organizations through strategic planning, capacity building, and targeted support that drives meaningful and sustainable impact.
Relevant certifications or trainings
I was born and raised in North St. Louis City, Missouri then moved to Chicago after high school to study Political Science and Sociology at DePaul University. I later returned and obtained a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from Fontbonne University. I am currently a nonprofit executive and consultant, educator, and author. I am a committee member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, St. Louis Chapter. I also received community centric fundraising training in 2022.
Sample clients
New Orleans Workers Center for Racial Justice, Southern California Black Workers Hub for Regional Organizing, RoadMap, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Movement Strategy Center