Northeast
Rachel Keir
Senior Vice President
Summary
Rachel Keir helps mission-driven organizations translate ambition into sustained philanthropic impact by bringing clarity to complex challenges. As a Senior Vice President at CCS Fundraising, she advises leaders on strategy, systems, and development operations, guiding organizations through growth and transformation.
Specialties
The Full Story
Rachel Keir’s work sits at the intersection of strategy, systems, and relationships, helping mission‑driven organizations translate ambition into sustained philanthropic impact. At CCS, she is known for bringing clarity to complexity, guiding executives and boards through moments of growth, transition, and transformation with a steady, pragmatic approach grounded in partnership and collaboration.
As a Senior Vice President, Rachel advises healthcare systems, independent schools, social service organizations, and national nonprofits on strengthening fundraising strategy and development operations. Her work spans major and principal gift strategy, campaign and portfolio design, governance and organizational assessments, and leadership engagement. She leads multi‑workstream engagements that align organizational vision with operational reality, helping institutions build capacity while advancing their goals.
Rachel’s perspective has been shaped by more than a decade of cross‑sector experience and by advising organizations at pivotal moments, from campaign readiness and systemwide assessments to leadership transitions and enterprise‑level growth. Clients value her ability to adapt complex recommendations into actionable plans and to serve as a trusted thought partner to senior leaders. Within CCS, she contributes to the firm’s culture and strategy through the Working Parents and Caregivers Committee and the Inclusive Philanthropy Working Group.
Rachel lives in Boston with her young family. She values New England’s four seasons, especially summer, when she spends time with extended family on Cape Cod and in Vermont. Grounded in a strong commitment to community connection, Rachel stays actively engaged in her neighborhood and supports causes that strengthen the Boston area. She also serves on the board of DREAM, based in Fletcher, Vermont.
I’m inspired by helping organizations and communities thrive, and I believe it happens through strong relationships, shared trust, and collaborative work approached with intention and optimism.