Helping people connect their values to the causes that matter to them is a privilege for me.
At the age of six, I had my first taste of fundraising — hosting a Muscular Dystrophy Association Carnival, complete with pin the tail on the donkey. Today, as a professional fundraiser, I draw on 35 years of nonprofit management experience, for-profit business ownership, and community volunteerism
As a staff person and independent consultant, I have previously helped raise over $200 million for various San Francisco Bay Area good causes.
As a volunteer board member, I have led six nonprofit agencies, including a multi-million-dollar arts funder and nationally recognized mental health counseling center.
I have managed fundraising for multiple nonprofits, most recently at Larkin Street Youth Services, an agency with an annual budget of nearly $35 million, 250 employees, and 1,800 annual clients. In my last full year on staff, I and my team exceeded our budget goal by 39%, raising $12 million in 12 months, ensuring the agency's continued growth and expansion of services.
During my five-year tenure, I was also part of a collaborative city-wide public-private campaign that successfully raised an additional $50 million public and private dollars over three years for multiple organizations working to end youth homelessness.
I am the former Board President of the Development Executive Roundtable, a 60-year-old professional fundraising association whose members collectively raise over $1 billion annually.
Additionally, I have started several for-profit businesses, including a national trade association for film and video distributors, a community newspaper, an events production company, and a successful restaurant.
I’m an experienced, award-winning public speaker and storyteller passionate about connecting values to causes. Available for corporate, community, and educational events. Can cover a range of topics, from fundraising innovations to embracing inclusivity. Notable recent collaborations include the International Interior Design Association, Toast, Rodan+Fields, TurnOut, San Francisco State University, DonorSearch, Sonoma State University, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Fundraising.AI, OpenAI, American Prospect Research Association, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
“There is no fundraiser I know who is better than Gayle at connecting people — donors and fundraisers alike — back to the pure joy, generosity, and compassion at the heart of giving. Knowing her and learning from her has deeply impacted my experience and approach as both a fundraiser and a donor.”
Dana Textoris, Director of Client Engagement
Grants Plus
The common thread throughout my career has been a desire to bring people together.
Working across race, class, age, gender, sexuality, and ability, I foster a world that embraces people for who they are and encourages them to live their dreams. Today I do the work I do because, at its core, fundraising helps foster greater social change in the world.
Born and raised in Minnesota, I moved to San Francisco two decades ago, looking for a community that reflected these values. Today I work as a fundraiser to ensure that the dream that brought so many of us to the Bay Area is kept alive.
A graduate of the University of Minnesota, I received my Certification in Fundraising Management (CFRM) from the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. I have received Certificates of Merit from the California State Senate and Assembly.
I bring strong collaborative management, strategic planning, marketing communications, and community relations skills to all my work.
