Your Partner

This breadth of experience means I can quickly understand your unique context and provide relevant, actionable guidance no matter where you are in your organizational journey.

My Approach

I believe the best consulting relationships are true partnerships. I don't parachute in with generic advice. I roll up my sleeves, integrate with your team, and work alongside you to achieve your goals. Whether I'm serving as your interim Executive Director during a search or providing fractional support to build capacity, I'm committed to leaving your organization stronger and more aligned than I found it.

Beyond the Work

I'm deeply committed to equity and justice. I serve as a facilitator for Witnessing Whiteness and sit on the IDEA Committee for AFP St. Louis, working to promote inclusion, diversity, equity, access, and anti-racism within the philanthropic community. I’m honored to be a board member of the St. Louis Area Diaper Bank.

I’m a die-hard Tiger fan, as I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia. My Masters of Education degree hails from Indiana University-Bloomington.

Let's Talk About What's Possible

If your organization is in transition or facing a capacity challenge, I'd love to hear about it. Let's explore whether Mission Aligned Partners might be the right fit for your needs.

Meet Steffani Lautenschlager, MEd, CFRE

With over 20 years of nonprofit experience and 15+ years focused on fundraising and leadership, I've experience first hand the impact people can have on transforming their communities.

I've served as in house as a Chief Development Officer and Director of Development. I’ve also as Interim Executive Director, Director of Development, and Chief Development Officers for organizations navigating critical transitions. I've led fundraising efforts that increased annual giving by 45-130%, guided comprehensive campaigns, and coached executive teams and boards through some of their most challenging strategic decisions.

Crisis Management & Transition Expertise

  • Served as interim leader for multiple nonprofits facing financial challenges and leadership transitions

  • Successfully stabilized organizations through transparent assessment and difficult decision-making

  • Maintained momentum while recruiting permanent leaders and positioned organizations for future success

Proven Fundraising Results

  • 20+ years of nonprofit experience with 15+ years in fundraising and leadership

  • CFRE (Certified Fund-Raising Executive) credential

  • Led capital campaigns and secured major gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations

  • Track record of annual fund growth: 65% increase over 8 years for one nonprofit, 130% increase over 2.5 years for another

  • Partnered with teams to increase gala attendance by 52% and revenue by 150%

Leadership and Capacity Building

  • Facilitated 20+ annual planning sessions

  • Developed and led teams of 2-6 staff and volunteer committees up to 25 people

  • Coached Executive Directors and Boards on budget management, program evaluation, and strategic decisions

  • Built development programs from early stages through comprehensive campaigns

  • Expertise in infrastructure growth, operations, marketing, communications, and financial oversight

Steffani’s Experience Spans the Nonprofit Spectrum

I've worked with organizations at every stage and size:

  • Startups finding their footing and building their first fundraising infrastructure

  • Established organizations navigating leadership transitions or strategic pivots

  • Century-old institutions modernizing operations while honoring legacy

  • Budget ranges from $500,000 annual budgets to university-sized operations