Elizabeth Abel is an expert in nonprofit fundraising and thought leader in philanthropy. She has designed, advised, and directed development initiatives and capital campaigns that have collectively raised nearly half a billion dollars, positively impacting tens of thousands of lives.
Since joining CCS in 2013, Elizabeth has partnered with institutions to plan and implement large-scale fundraising campaigns with revenue goals ranging from $5 million to over $1 billion. In this role, she provides counsel on strategic planning, major gifts fundraising, and board engagement. She has directed campaign planning studies, served in interim development roles, and managed annual campaigns and special fundraising events.
Elizabeth is an instructor at the University of Pennsylvania, where she teaches “Fundraising & Philanthropy: The Donor Journey” to graduate students in the Nonprofit Leadership Program. Elizabeth serves on the Board of the Nonprofit Leadership Program Alumni Association, and in 2020, she was inducted into the School of Social Policy and Practice Alumni Hall of Fame for her work with mission-driven organizations. She also serves on the AFP-NYC Mentorship Committee. Beyond the classroom, you can find Elizabeth offering her fundraising expertise at industry conferences, on nonprofit podcasts, and on social media platforms including LinkedIn and Instagram.
Elizabeth holds a Masters in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts from Tufts University. She lives in New York City with her husband and daughter and is an avid hiker, traveler, and tea drinker.
Elizabeth’s Commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access:
Elizabeth’s belief in social justice influenced her fundraising career: In rural Rwanda, she volunteered at a youth village for vulnerable Rwandan youth that was founded in the aftermath of the 1994 genocide. In Jaipur, India, she lived and studied the generational empowerment of Indian women, working with mothers seeking to build lives of dignity and prosperity for themselves and their families. These global experiences—grounded in the values of inclusion, diversity, equity, and access—motivated Elizabeth to improve the world through philanthropy. She incorporates these values and intentional practices daily, as she leads projects and teams at CCS and as she raises a global citizen of her own.
Select client Partners
- ADL (Anti-Defamation League)
- Baptist Health South Florida
- The Chapin School
- The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
- Columbia University School of Nursing
- Friends Academy
- The Hewitt School
- The Museum of Jewish Heritage: A Living Memorial to the Holocaust
- The Newark Public Library
- NYU Stern School of Business
- The Parkinson’s Foundation
- The Police Athletic League
- The Ramaz School
- The Spence School
- The Speyer Legacy School
recent resources
- Professional Instagram: ElizabethBerniAbel
- Redefining Philanthropy for 2022: 5 Strategies To Inspire Giving in a New Year (Article)
- Philanthropic Leadership: Engaging Board Members As Fundraising Ambassadors (Webinar)
- Building a Career in Nonprofit Leadership, Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership (Podcast)
- Fundraising Fundamentals in A New Fiscal Year, The Development Debrief (Podcast)
- Inspiring Board Members to Fundraise, The Nonprofit Jenni Show (Podcast)
- Philanthropy Trends: Breaking Down the Giving USA 2021 Report, We Are For Good (Podcast)
- What’s Your People’s Strategic Plan? Why Nonprofit Leaders Should Invest in Talent and Culture, NonProfitPRO (Article)
