I help mission-driven organizations raise more money and work smarter. Whether you need proven fundraising excellence or strategic AI integration, I bring 35+ years of experience plus cutting-edge insights to your cause.
Gayle Roberts
At six years old, I organized my first fundraiser—a backyard carnival for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. That early spark grew into 35+ years of helping Bay Area nonprofits raise money and build teams.
I have helped raise over $200,000,000 for good causes in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.
Today, I split my time between fundraising consulting, leading AI learning work for funders and their grantees, and co-leading AIxImpact, a peer community helping nonprofit consultants adopt AI responsibly. I'm also a Community Leader in OpenAI's private global discussion forum, ensuring nonprofit voices are heard as AI technology evolves.
Three Ways I Help Nonprofits Thrive
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Build sustainable revenue with major gift strategy, campaign planning, and development plans that fit your organization's culture. From donor pipeline development to board training, I help create systems that keep working long after our engagement ends.
Major gift prospect identification and cultivation strategies
Donor stewardship systems that build lasting relationships
Board member training in fundraising and solicitation techniques
Development team coaching and capacity building
Annual giving program optimization and growth strategies
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Implement AI tools thoughtfully with training that empowers your team and safeguards that protect your values. From donor research automation to strategic planning assistance, I help you adopt technology in ways that enhance rather than replace human connection.
AI learning cohorts and facilitation for funders and their grantees
Donor prospect research automation and data analysis
Fundraising communications and personalization at scale
AI governance policies and ethical use guidelines
Staff training on responsible AI tool adoption
Custom AI workflow development for development operations
The SMART.AI Suite is two frameworks I revise every year: how to adopt AI step by step, and how to keep power and risk honest while you do it. Use them with your own clients. All I ask for is credit.
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Executive coaching, board development, and speaking engagements that build confidence and skills. Whether strengthening fundraising teams, training board members in solicitation, or delivering keynotes on innovation and equity, I help nonprofit professionals grow their impact.
Executive coaching for development directors and nonprofit CEOs
Board governance training and fundraising orientation
Workshop facilitation on fundraising strategy and innovation
Conference keynotes on AI, equity, and nonprofit leadership
Team retreat facilitation and strategic planning sessions
Public speaking coaching for nonprofit leaders
“Gayle is a seasoned development professional, and it shows. It is clear, the skills of a manager and leader come naturally to her, and she exercises them with aplomb.”
Brett Andrews, Interim CEO
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Current Work Highlights
I'm the cohort facilitator for the Gates Foundation's AI to Accelerate Charitable Giving initiative, a two-year learning cohort of nine grantee organizations in seven countries. The cohort is testing whether AI can move more money to nonprofits, faster.
I also publish the SMART.AI Practice Suite, two free AI governance frameworks now in their 2026 editions. I’m providing executive coaching to Other Minds, a San Francisco institution for contemporary music, during an executive leadership transition. I also co-lead AIxImpact, a global co-learning circle for nonprofit consultants providing AI training, strategy, and guidance.
Earlier in my career, as Chief Development Officer at Larkin Street Youth Services, I led the team that grew the agency from $23 million to over $35 million in five years.