We always knew she was a woman of influence—now it’s official. Columbus Business First has honored our Founder & Principal, Laura MacDonald, CFRE, as a 2025 Women of Influence Award recipient.
For more than 40 years, Laura has been shaping the future of philanthropy. She’s not just built a career—she’s built a legacy, a nationally recognized consulting firm, and a track record of helping nonprofits raise billions of dollars to create lasting good in the world.
Building a Leading Nonprofit Firm in Columbus and Beyond
In 2000, Laura founded Benefactor Group, a Columbus-based nonprofit consulting firm with a simple but powerful purpose: serve those who serve the common good.
What started as a small consultancy has grown into a $5 million+ firm celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Along the way, Benefactor Group has partnered with hundreds of organizations—global women’s empowerment movements, arts and cultural institutions, universities, hospitals, and human service agencies—helping them strengthen their capacity, tell their stories, and inspire generosity.
The results speak for themselves: billions raised, missions amplified, and communities transformed.
A Philanthropy Expert Guiding the Nonprofit Sector Nationally
Laura’s leadership extends well beyond our office. From 2020 to 2022, she served as Chair of the Giving USA Foundation, guiding the nation’s most trusted source on charitable giving during a period of unprecedented change.
She’s a sought-after nonprofit thought leader, quoted in Forbes, The New York Times, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, and other leading publications. She’s also a frequent keynote speaker at national conferences, sharing insights on fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and sector trends.
Her latest achievement? Authoring The Endowment Handbook (Wiley, 2024)—the first major update to nonprofit endowment strategy in over two decades—helping organizations navigate economic shifts and prepare for the historic intergenerational transfer of wealth.
Celebrating a Woman of Influence at Benefactor Group
The Women of Influence Award honors leaders who leave their communities better than they found them. Laura has done exactly that—and more. Her vision, creativity, and commitment to the common good continue to shape the future of philanthropy and nonprofit leadership.
On July 17, we had the honor of celebrating Laura alongside an extraordinary group of leaders at the 2025 Women of Influence Gala Awards Reception. These honorees are driving change, lifting others, and making a lasting impact in our community.
We’re proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition—and even prouder to call her our Founder. Here’s to Laura, and to the many years of influence in the nonprofit sector ahead.
