ScaleUp understands the unique needs of not-for-profit organizations. We work across multiple disciplines, with specialized experience in fund development and advancement of organizations, leveraging the skills and energy of volunteers and boards, governance best practices and strategic mentoring and planning. We work with organizations that need short-term and long-term support, from quick “wins” to long term strategies that will really move the needle and improve impact.
We will listen, learn and ask a lot of questions about your needs and goals.
We will work alongside you to collaborate, share ideas and design the best solutions while respecting your budget and resources.
We will roll up our sleeves and help achieve your goals by delivering quick wins and actionable improvements to scale up your mission.
Ann has more than 30 years of leadership experience advancing nonprofits, universities and for-profit brands. Her experience includes managing nonprofits for growth and to build capacity, fund development including major gifts and campaign management, strategic planning and program development, corporate and foundation relations, skills-based volunteer management, and board governance and improvement.
Prior to launching ScaleUp, Ann was executive director of Social Venture Partners Minnesota, preceded by management roles at the Jeremiah Program, the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, and Twin Cities PBS (TPT). Ann also spent 10+ years managing marketing communications departments at (now) Delta Airlines and at Colle McVoy.
Ann shares her talents by serving as Vice Chair for the St Croix Valley Foundation, she is a consultant with Constellation Fund, she is a member of the Hudson Daybreak Rotary and supports the district strategic visioning team. Once a year Ann enjoys being a judge for the University of St. Thomas Fowler Business Concept Challenge social venture track. Ann has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Minnesota’s College of Liberal Arts (go Gophers!) and she completed a certificate in the mini MBA program at the University of St Thomas.
Elaine is a consultant focused on improving the marketing, strategic planning, and fundraising efforts of nonprofit organizations in the Twin Cities and Western Wisconsin areas. She has led successful capital campaigns, initiated planned giving programs, led Boards of Directors in strategic planning, and developed fundraising strategies and marketing programs for many diverse organizations.
In addition, Elaine was an adjunct faculty member at the Carlson School of Management at University of Minnesota, teaching in the marketing department at both the undergraduate and M.B.A. programs for 15 years. Her strengths lie in her ability to grasp the end goal quickly and to develop positive action steps to reach it, while managing to assess the culture of an organization so her recommendations are valid and solid for each individual client.
Elaine has worked on capital campaigns and/or feasibility studies for The Saint Paul Area Council of Churches, the Victoria Theater Arts Center, the Washington County Historical Society, Lyric Arts, Lumen Christi Catholic Community, and Christ Church Lutheran.
"I've worked with Ann for many years and most recently I asked her to provide a governance audit. She was fast, thoughtful and her knowledge helped us in preparation to strengthen our organizational practices. I highly recommend Ann for governance, advancement and fundraising."
— Beverly Wadsworth, Minneapolis Community and Technical College
"Ann facilitated a process with my board of directors that helped us make a number of difficult but critical decisions relating to how we deliver our mission now and in the future. She was patient, professional and used highly effective planning and visioning tools to ensure all voices were heard."
— Marybeth Nelson, Habitat for Humanity of West Central MN