Benefactor Group is honored to celebrate 25 years serving those who serve the common good. This milestone isn’t just about our journey—it’s about recognizing 25 years of philanthropic successes and the transformative impact those successes have had on people and causes around the world. Together, we fuel causes with powerful fundraising, people, and systems, and we look forward to continuing this work for many years to come.
World YWCA: A Global Movement Advancing Women’s Leadership and Philanthropy
The World YWCA is the oldest and largest women’s movement in the world, connecting more than 100 countries and reaching nearly 20 million women and girls each year. Rooted in principles of dignity, leadership, and community, the movement strengthens local voices while advancing a global vision for equity and opportunity.
Benefactor Group’s First Major Client: Launching a Global Endowment Campaign
The World YWCA holds a special place in Benefactor Group’s history: it was the firm’s first major client. In the early 2000s, as the organization prepared for a multi-million-dollar endowment and capacity-building campaign, it sought a partner who could navigate the complexity of engaging donors and leaders across continents.
Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro—then General Secretary of the World YWCA—recognized something distinctive in Benefactor Group’s Founder, Laura MacDonald. Reflecting on that partnership, she later wrote:
Global Fundraising Strategy and Nonprofit Consulting Across Cultures
Benefactor Group designed and guided a worldwide planning study that connected donors, volunteers, and leaders from diverse cultural and philanthropic traditions. The team helped identify and train volunteer leadership, supported staff and board development, and advised the Geneva headquarters on major gift strategy—laying the groundwork for a stronger endowment and expanding the organization’s global network of supporters.
Building Capacity and Strengthening Donor Networks Internationally
Working across continents, Benefactor Group enhanced the World YWCA’s ability to secure major gifts, build internal systems, and cultivate long-term donor relationships. The partnership strengthened the organization’s infrastructure and enabled the staff and board to execute global fundraising campaigns with confidence and cohesion.
A Lasting Global Partnership in Women’s Leadership and Philanthropy
The impact of this early partnership extended far beyond the campaign itself. Over the years, Dr. Kanyoro continued to call upon Benefactor Group for strategic projects with other nonprofits, including the Packard Foundation and the Global Fund for Women. The trust built through that first global campaign became the foundation for a professional relationship spanning decades and continents.
Celebrating 25 Years of Nonprofit Consulting and Global Fundraising Success
As we commemorate 25 years of serving those who serve the common good, Benefactor Group celebrates the World YWCA as the partnership that helped define the firm’s early identity—a project that required curiosity, humility, and a commitment to working across cultures and communities.
If you’re interested in learning more about how Benefactor Group’s nonprofit consulting, campaign planning, or global fundraising strategy services might support your organization, connect with us today. We’d love to talk.
