Dandelion Consulting
Spark Change. Elevate Giving!


Brian Williams
Founder & President
Unlock the potential of your nonprofit with Brian Williams, the heart behind Dandelion Consulting - where vibrant fundraising strategies bloom! Specializing in the arts and LGBTQ+ sectors, Brian excels in nurturing nonprofits under $5M to grow their support networks.
His expertise? Cultivating board engagement and implementing innovative fundraising strategies that transform your passionate supporters into a thriving, loyal community.
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Brian has been working in the nonprofit sector since 2003 leading large and small fundraising departments and eventually serving as Executive Director.
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His career began at United Way of Metro Chicago where he led corporate partners, Deloitte, to raise $1M in Tocqueville Society ($10K+) and helping Northern Trust exceed $1M in Leadership Giving ($1K - $9,999) for the first time in the bank's history.
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While at United Way of Greater Kansas City, he identified and converted $440K from new and lapsed Tocqueville Society Members.
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He's worked for multiple smaller arts and LGBTQ organizations increasing individual giving by more than 30% with tailored donor acquisition and retention strategies and developing a culture of philanthropy.
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Brian's collaborative approach not only raises funds but also elevates your mission. Let's create a masterpiece in the arts and turn the page for LGBTQ+ organizations together -- because with Brian, every fundraising challenge meets its match with a sprinkle of creativity and a dash of humor.
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You can view my LinkedIn profile.
Speaking Engagements
Brian is known for creating engaging, insightful, and action-driven workshops
tailored to nonprofit organizations and conferences.
​​Past Speaking Enagements
Kansas Arts Councils Symposium (2024) -- Salina, KS
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Presentation: "Art of Fundraising: Increasing Fundraising. Building Trust. Fostering a Culture of Philanthropy."
Topic: A 90-minute interactive workshop focused on equipping arts organizations with tools to build donor trust and enhance fundraising outcomes.​
What Attendees Said:
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“I loved having a fundraising specialist there, particularly because he has such an invested interest in the arts—this was excellent!”​
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“Brian’s talk about fundraising was SO good and helpful!”
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​“I was a really big fan of the fundraising workshop. I appreciate the people-first approach, as we’ve had some issues with fundraising at our organization.”
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​“I thought the fundraising workshop was amazing.
​Upcoming Speaking Engagements:
AFP ICON 2025 — Seattle, WA
Presentation: Beyond the Pride Flag: Understanding the Complex Dynamics of Philanthropy in the LGBTQ+ Community.
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Topic: A deep dive into navigating nuanced donor relationships and building authentic philanthropic connections within the LGBTQ+ community.
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Booking process
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1. Pre-Event Consultation: Before your event, Brian will connect with you to understand your organization’s goals, challenges, and audience expectations.
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2. Customized Program: Brian will craft a program tailored to your specific needs, ensuring relevance and engagement.
3. Impactful Delivery: On the day of your event, Brian will deliver a compelling and interactive session designed to leave a lasting impact on your attendees.
Every development workshop, speech, and training session Brian delivers is completely customized to meet the unique needs of your audience.​