Associate

With over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, Jennifer Lynch-McKinney, MNA has served the Arts & Culture, Animal Welfare, Education, Housing and Community Based Membership and Advocacy nonprofit sectors, serving as Manager of Annual Fund and Advancement for the Cleveland Zoological Society, Annual Fund Manager for ASM Materials Education Foundation and Institutional Advancement Manager for University Circle, Inc.  

Today, Jennifer applies her skill and talent as Manager of Fundraising at CHN Housing Partners, a highly seasoned, nonprofit affordable housing developer and housing service provider that works with its partners to solve major housing challenges for low-income people and underserved communities. CHN partners with cities and organizations to deliver housing solutions for their constituents, with utility companies, financial institutions, and public agencies to manage and deliver large-scale housing resources to the community, and with people—low-income individuals, families, seniors, the disabled and the homeless—to improve their housing stability. 

Through partnerships CHN has developed over 7,000 affordable homes, and each year serves over 60,000 families through a wide array of housing services. 

Working in Ohio and neighboring states, CHN preserves and expands affordable housing, building equitable communities. By investing in affordable housing, CHN invests in families, communities, and the economy – CHN invests in the power of a permanent address. 

Jennifer is passionate about the work she does with various organizational partners and works hard as an advocate for the voices that need to be heard and the work that needs to be done to improve individuals and our communities. 

A graduate from Otterbein University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Equine Administration, Jennifer is also a graduate from John Carroll University with a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Administration.  

Jennifer completed the Cleveland Leadership Center’s Civic Leadership Institute, is a board member of One Health Organization, past chair of The Gathering Place’s Race for the Place fundraiser, a member of the Advisory Board for Ashland University Women in Leadership Certificate Program and a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Cleveland chapter. 

  
Area of Expertise: 
Jennifer’s core expertise is in Donor and Constituent Engagement. She has excelled in Annual Giving and Direct Marketing; Fundraising Campaigns and Strategic Planning; and Major and Principal Gifts 
 
Experience: 
Education, Arts & Culture, Community Based Membership and Advocacy 
 
Fundraising Must Have: 
Passion and strong advocacy to improve individual lives and the communities we serve. 

Strategic Advisor and Executive Associate

Jeff Comfort is a seasoned professional with 38 years of gift planning experience. Currently serving as vice president of principal gifts and gift planning at the Oregon State University Foundation (OSUF), Jeff provides strategic leadership to the gift planning program that assists donors in making deferred, assets-based or complex gifts to the university. Year in and year out, gift planning provides over 25% of total fundraising at OSUF.

 Jeff spent 18 years at Georgetown University, where he oversaw university-wide gift planning efforts resulting in approximately $500 million of gift commitments and receipts in his tenure. Before arriving at Georgetown in 1995, he spent 11 years in Denver directing the gift planning program for the National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medical (now National Jewish Health).

As a volunteer leader of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (formerly the National Committee on Planned Giving), Jeff served as president, chaired the 10th National Conference on Planned Giving and was a member of the NCPG board of directors for five years. Additionally, he was a member of the ethics committee and chaired the task force on gift valuation. Jeff chaired the CASE National Conference on Planned Giving for 10 years from 2008 to 2018.

Area of Expertise:
Planned and Legacy Gifts.

Experience:
Education, Healthcare

Fundraising Must Have:
Prospects

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffcomfort/

Senior Associate

With close to 30 years of experience in higher education, Dr. Tracy Woodard is a visionary leader who specializes in data analytics with a focus on emphasizing diversity, equity, and inclusion principles in daily operations and organizational missions. Previous experience has included Dean of the Communications and Humanities Division at Tallahassee Community College, Director of the Women’s and Gender Studies program at Valdosta State University, and Professor of Sociology at Valdosta State University.   

Tracy holds a Ph.D. in Human Sciences, a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science from Florida State University.  

Area of Expertise:
Data Analytics. Tracy is also adept with Project Management and Board Training, Management and Governance 

Experience:
Education, Arts & Culture

Fundraising Must Have:
A vision and desire to affect positive change.

Contact Tracey at: [email protected]