Rhonda Newman is the founder and president of Newman Consulting, a fund development consulting firm based out of Edmonton, Alberta. Inspired by non-profit organizations in her community, and their desire to make the world a better place, Rhonda has a desire to help them grow and achieve their missions through strategic fund development planning and capital campaigns. She has over 24 years working in the charitable sector and has built solid reputation for professionalism, innovation, accountability, cost-effectiveness and success for her clients and their projects.

Rhonda started her career in fund development in 1991 with the Alberta Lung Association (ALA), starting with small rural campaigns, moving into managing year-round fundraising initiatives to finally becoming the Vice President of Fund Development for Alberta and a consultant to other provinces within the Canadian Lung Association.

In 2003, Rhonda left the ALA and started Newman Consulting. She was attracted to the opportunity to expand her skills and professional experience by working with a range of non-profit organizations and to grow a successful business while maintaining a healthy and flexible work-life balance for herself and her young family.

Working with a wide range of non-profit organizations, Rhonda continued to provide professional counsel for capital projects and on-going fundraising programs. Throughout her career she has worked on many different fund development activities ranging from small to large, including: coin boxes, casinos, managing a provincial door to door campaign involving over 25,000 volunteers, a 1-million-piece direct mail program, $25+ million capital campaigns and starting a social enterprise business that included a call centre that served clients around North America.

Rhonda has earned the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation and is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), subscribing to their AFP Code of Ethical Principles and Standards.

Newman Consulting has worked with a number of organizations including the Right At Home Housing Society, HIV Edmonton, Wildlife Rehabilitation Society, The Good Samaritan Society, the City of Wetaskiwin, WIN House, CKUA Radio Network Foundation, Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues, Robin Hood Association, Schizophrenia Society of Alberta and many others.  A few of her most recent projects include capital campaigns to rebuild the new Varscona Theatre in Edmonton and to fund major building projects for the Thorpe Recovery Centre and the Manluk Centre.

“Rhonda Newman is an expert in her field. When we began the rebuild project at The Varscona Theatre, none of us knew where or how to start our capital campaign. Rhonda showed us the path, had the expertise and was able to guide us towards our goal. Together we raised the funds to give Edmonton a beautiful new cultural centre in the heart of Old Strathcona.” – John Hudson, Executive Director.

Rhonda is dedicated helping her clients meet their fund development goals. She knows that building relationships is key, both with her clients but also with donors, sponsors and members of the community. She puts her clients first, supporting, mentoring and guiding organizational staff, volunteers and Board members to achieve their goals.

Non-profit organizations will benefit from her dedication, organization, problem solving, leadership and management skills. She is both a coach and a cheerleader, driven by her clients’ success and growth. Her experience in fund development at the senior management level, combined with her passion for non-profits and working with people in her community, enables organizations to realize their visions and be successful in funding those dreams!