
“You gave such a thoughtful and practical perspective — it really helped me think differently about how to approach AI in this work. Thank you for sharing your insights!”
Lauren Steiner, CEO, Grants Plus

Selected Client Work
Organizational Leadership & Major Campaigns
San Francisco LGBT Community Center: The Center provides San Francisco with a vast array of programs and services for LGBTQ people, friends, and families. I served as Interim Development Director for 6 months, overseeing comprehensive fundraising programs including major gifts, corporate partnerships, and annual gala production. A year later, I returned to take on the role full-time for several years.
Rockwood Leadership Institute: The nation's premier nonprofit organization promoting social change through leadership training and consulting to progressive nonprofits. As their long-term contract fundraiser, I provided strategic consulting, prospect research, and grant writing, and built out their national funding, strengthening relationships with a variety of institutions, including the Ford Foundation, Nathan Cummings Foundation, and Arcus Foundation. Later, I also returned to lead their fundraising efforts as the staff Director of Resource Development.
StartOut: StartOut inspires, educates, and supports LGBTQ entrepreneurs and fosters new business founders and CEOs. I provided strategic fundraising planning and campaign management, including developing their StartOut Awards sponsorship campaign that exceeded fundraising goals by 150%.
AI Strategy & Innovation Consulting
Harbor Academy: I developed the inaugural funding plan for this innovative LGBTQ+ virtual school, which included a foundation case statement, prospect research, and a grants calendar to ensure successful long-term sustainability. This comprehensive strategy positioned them to secure resources for creating a safe, inclusive educational environment.
Springboard HealthLabs: I provide comprehensive funding strategy services to help this nonprofit health startup incubator with global impact diversify and strengthen their private funding sources. My work supports their mission of supporting innovative health equity projects focused on global structural change.
Grant Writing & Government Funding
Brava! for Women in the Arts: Brava redefines the American stage through theater by women and people of color while improving the quality of life in San Francisco's Mission District. I provided long-time foundation and government grant writing services, including securing a successful $450,000/3-year city contract proposal.
Gum Moon Women’s Residences / Asian Women's Resource Center: Founded in 1868, this organization provides safe transitional housing for Asian immigrant women, along with educational programs for low-income households. I wrote several institutional funding requests, including also securing a new $450,000/3-year city contract.
TAJA's Coalition: Led by trans women of color, this coalition works to stop the genocide of trans women of color. I wrote their initial strategic plan and government funding request, which secured $200,000 in startup capital.
Capacity Building & Strategic Planning
Compton's Cafeteria Riot 40th Anniversary Commemoration: I led fundraising and marketing efforts for this historic LGBTQ+ commemoration, including recruiting and training community volunteer fundraisers, writing case statements, supervising major donor solicitations, and coordinating international press coverage.
Sojourn Chaplaincy: This hospital chaplaincy program visits over 11,000 patients, staff, and loved ones at San Francisco General Hospital annually. I designed board retreats, developed their annual fundraising plan, and provided ongoing donor prospecting and solicitation training.
The Berkeley Chess School: BCS improves academic performance and builds self-esteem among Bay Area children, reaching 5,000 students annually in over 130 schools. I helped create a new case statement, researched institutional funding sources, and facilitated the development of their annual fundraising plan.
Executive Coaching & Board Development
The Diversity Center: This organization enhances lives and promotes fairness for LGBTQ people in Santa Cruz County. I mentored their Executive Director for nearly a decade, trained their board on corporate solicitation techniques, and wrote successful multiple major donor solicitation appeals.
LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired: The LightHouse provides solutions for living with vision loss. I delivered coaching and professional development support to several staff members, helping strengthen their fundraising capabilities.
Youth ALIVE!: This nonprofit public health agency prevents youth violence and generates youth leadership in California communities. I provided executive leadership coaching, board development support, and staff public speaking training.
Specialized Projects & Training
Openhouse: Dedicated to creating a residential community for LGBTQ seniors. After an executive leadership transition, I updated grant management systems, clarified program objectives, and wrote new funding proposals, before eventually also joining their staff as Senior Development Officer.
Transgender Law Center: This civil rights organization advocates for transgender communities and gender non-conforming individuals. My services included board development training, annual gala event coordination, and direct response fundraising consultation.
Rebuilding Together San Francisco: This organization provides free home repair for low-income, elderly, and disabled San Franciscans, as well as nonprofit facilities. I delivered fundraising solicitation training to their board of directors, building their capacity for sustainable revenue generation.
Selected Public Speaking
OpenAI - Nonprofit AI Adoption and Applications
Chronicle of Philanthropy - ChatGPT for Fundraising Innovation
AFP Global Conference - Responsible AI Adoption for Fundraising Professionals
AFP Golden Gate Chapter - Local Fundraising Innovation and AI Integration
Fundraising.AI - Practical AI Implementation Strategies
DonorSearch - Early GenAI Adoption Lessons
Atlassian - Artificial Intelligence and Social Impact Leadership
American Prospect Research Association - Simple AI Tools for Prospect Research
Toast - Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Impact
Rodan+Fields - Purpose-Driven Business and Social Change
TurnOut - LGBTQ+ Leadership and Civic Engagement
San Francisco State University - Nonprofit Leadership and Career Development
Sonoma State University - Fundraising Strategy and Professional Growth
San Francisco Pride - Mainstage Festival Public Speaker
International Interior Design Association - Values-Based Business and Social Impact
“Gayle Roberts epitomizes the term ‘development professional.’ She is a strategic thinker, who understands that mission, values and ethics are the foundation of a development program and fundraising is only one of the tools needed to be successful.”
George Clark, Former Chief Development Officer
LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
