Cathy Brown is a nonprofit strategist, educator, and facilitator who specializes in transforming ideas into sustainable organizations, programs, and leadership initiatives. As Principal of Cathy Brown Philanthropy LLC, she partners with nonprofit organizations, foundations, and community leaders to strengthen fundraising strategy, leadership development, career pathways, board engagement and effectiveness, facilitation, and organizational capacity.
Cathy serves as adjunct faculty for The Fund Raising School at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, where she teaches fundraising and nonprofit leadership. She brings more than 30 years of experience spanning philanthropy, nonprofit management, adult learning, workforce development, and community leadership.
Throughout her career, Cathy has been drawn to opportunities to build something new. Most recently, she launched and led the Broward Center for Nonprofit Excellence at the Community Foundation of Broward, transforming an emerging vision into a regional resource that strengthens nonprofit leadership, financial sustainability, governance, succession planning, and organizational effectiveness across South Florida.
Earlier, Cathy became The Fund Raising School's first full-time faculty member, helping establish a new model for curriculum development and instructional leadership while teaching fundraising professionals nationwide. She also led the creation of Hendricks College Network, guiding the organization from concept and incorporation through sustained community impact, connecting more than 17,000 adults with higher education and workforce opportunities.
Cathy holds a Master of Arts in Education and a Graduate Certificate in Philanthropic Studies from Indiana University, along with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Hanover College. She is an Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD) and a Certified Fund Raising Manager (CFRM).
An active volunteer leader, Cathy currently serves as Board Chair of Gilda's Club South Florida.
Whether teaching, consulting, or facilitating, Cathy is passionate about helping organizations build the people, systems, and strategies that allow great ideas to become lasting community impact.