Nichole M. Collins, CFRE

Nichole M. Collins, CFRE (she/her), Senior Consultant, is a seasoned philanthropic strategist dedicated to advancing social impact through effective fund development. With a Bachelor of Arts from Case Western Reserve University and a Master's in Nonprofit Administration from John Carroll University, Nichole passionately uses her expertise to strengthen communities and drive meaningful change. Nichole is also a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), reflecting her deep expertise and commitment to excellence in the field of philanthropy.

 

Currently, Nichole serves as a Philanthropic Strategy Advisor at the Cleveland Foundation, where she cultivates strategic partnerships and fund development initiatives with individuals, corporations, and nonprofit organizations aiming to expand their philanthropic assets for greater community impact. In this capacity, she is responsible for designing and executing customized strategies to advance the Foundation’s philanthropic objectives, working in close collaboration with key community stakeholders.

 

Throughout her career, Nichole has held key positions at leading organizations such as the Cuyahoga Community College Foundation, Cleveland Zoological Society, Intergenerational Schools, and the national office of the United Church of Christ. She has successfully organized major fundraising campaigns, built data management systems, and led cross-functional teams to launch national initiatives.

 

In addition to her nonprofit experience, Nichole has worked as a fundraising consultant, specializing in helping organizations strengthen their fundraising operations, diversify funding sources, and optimize prospect pipelines. She is particularly skilled in leveraging technology, including data-driven practices and artificial intelligence, to build robust fundraising strategies that drive long-term sustainability.

 

Nichole is also a coach for Melanate's Certified FREed Program, where she supports women of color in earning their CFRE designation. She is passionate about empowering women of color to excel in the fundraising profession. Nichole is deeply committed to giving back to her community. She is on several nonprofit boards and committees to use her gifts in service to others.