My Experience

David helps schools explore and understand the intersection between fundraising/advancement, governance, and DEIB (diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging). He has organized and directed annual and capital campaigns for independent schools and other non-profit organizations, with direct experience soliciting and closing major gifts and developing strategies for successful donor stewardship. With 16 years of fundraising experience, David led the development / advancement operations in schools that collectively raised over $100 million.

Select Clients

  • Far Brook School

  • The Putney School

  • Episcopal High School

  • Francis Parker School

  • Wingra School

  • Saint Ann's School

  • St. Peter's School

  • International School of Brooklyn

  • Oliver Scholars

David Smith is a fundraising consultant with years of experience leading in the areas of major gifts, capital campaigns, and DEIB in advancement. From 2017-2023, he served as the Director of Advancement at Saint Ann’s School in Brooklyn, leading an initiative to double the school's endowment for financial aid. Prior to Saint Ann’s, he was the Director of Development at the Calhoun School and then at The Allen-Stevenson School, where he led a $50 million capital campaign to expand the campus.

David has presented sessions and workshops on major gifts, capital campaigns, and diversity, equity and inclusion in advancement at many conferences, including the NAIS Annual Conference and the NAIS People of Color Conference. He was a keynote speaker at the 2024 CASE/NAIS Conference, and he currently serves on the faculty of the CASE School Advancement Institute and the CASE Fundraising for Heads of School program. David also serves on the Association of Fundraising Professionals-NYC Board of Directors.

PRESENTATIONS

Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools

  • 2024 ADVIS Advancement Retreat – Keynote Speaker

New Jersey Association of Independent Schools

  • 2021 NJAIS Advancement Officers Workshop – “DEIB Throughout Your Advancement Office”

NY State Association of Independent Schools

  • 2023 Institutional Advancement Conference - “The Board and Advancement”

  • 2022 Institutional Advancement Conference - “Independent School Financial Model & Socioeconomic Diversity”

  • 2020 Institutional Advancement Conference – “Listen, Learn, Act: Advancement Professionals Engaging with Race and Anti-Racism”

  • 2019 Institutional Advancement Conference- “Better Together: Collaboration Between Admissions, Development, Alumni and Communications Offices”

  • 2018 Institutional Advancement Conference – Diversity and Inclusion in Development

  • 2017 Institutional Advancement Conference- “Insuring Success in Your Capital Campaign”

  • 2015 Institutional Advancement Conference- Trustees and Development Directors Together

CASE/NAIS National Conference

  • 2024 – Opening Keynote Panel

  • 2019 – “Attracting Diverse Talent”

NAIS National Conference

  • 2024 – DEIB in Advancement

  • 2016 – Diversity and Inclusion in Development

NAIS People of Color Conference

  • 2014 – Diversity and Inclusion in Development

Association of Fundraising Professionals

  • 2023-Fundraising Day in New York-Panelist

  • 2023-Not So Scary Fundraising: Afternoon Fall Symposium

Pollyanna

  • 2023-Mind the Gap: The Bridge Between DEIB and Advancement

  • 2023-Aligning Your School’s DEIB and Advancement Goals

Let’s Chat.

CONTACT ME FOR A FREE CONSULTATION.