Catherine Carabetta: Building Purpose-Driven Philanthropy
Catherine Carabetta is a nonprofit strategist and philanthropy consultant who helps mission-driven organizations build ethical, people-centered fundraising systems. She connects policy, donors, and community needs to create sustainable impact across the social sector.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Catherine Carabetta |
| Location | Fort Collins, Colorado |
| Education | Georgetown (B.S.); Loyola Chicago (M.A.) |
| Key Roles | Pew, Brookings, U.S. Senate, Prince Trusts, Donors Forum, Fort Collins Museum, Philanthropy Expert |
| Specialties | Philanthropy strategy, donor engagement, nonprofit development |
| Consulting Focus | Campaign planning, board training, grant systems, donor alignment |
| Leadership Style | Calm, respectful, people-first |
Early Foundations in Service and Strategy
From the start, Catherine Carabetta path reflected a clear sense of service. Catherine studied global affairs at Georgetown and later earned a master’s in politics from Loyola University Chicago.
These academic roots gave her a dual lens: the global perspective of international affairs, and the grounded understanding of how public policy shapes lives on a local scale.
Career Origins: From Policy to Philanthropy
Before stepping fully into the nonprofit world, Catherine gained experience at top-tier institutions like:
- The Pew Charitable Trusts
- The Brookings Institution
- The U.S. Senate
These early roles strengthened her expertise in public policy, legislative impact, and civic leadership—insights she now brings into philanthropic strategy.
Leading with Vision: Grantmaking and Giving
Prince Charitable Trusts – Chicago
As Senior Program Officer, she oversaw grants focused on education, housing, and community services. Her focus areas included early childhood education, housing equity, and basic needs—issues close to the heart of community resilience.
Rather than seeing grants as one-time transactions, she built long-term partnerships with nonprofits—ensuring both strategic alignment and authentic community voice.
Advancing Ethical Standards in the Sector
Donors Forum (now Forefront) – Illinois
At Donors Forum, Catherine led a statewide initiative that resulted in the Illinois Nonprofit Principles and Best Practices—a framework that has become a benchmark for ethics, transparency, and effectiveness in the nonprofit space.
She worked with stakeholders across sectors to ensure that the principles were more than theory—they were actionable and inclusive.
A New Chapter: Leading Philanthropy in Colorado
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery
After moving to Colorado, she became Director of Philanthropy at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery.
Here, she:
- Oversaw institutional giving from foundations, corporations, and government agencies
- Directed donor engagement, major gifts, and public campaigns
- Created hands-on, mission-aligned events to deepen community ties
Catherine’s strategy was simple but powerful: connect scientific learning with real-world well-being, allowing funders to see the social ripple effect of their giving.
Philanthropy Expert: Helping Nonprofits Grow with Integrity
Today, Catherine serves as a Senior Consultant at Philanthropy Expert, a Colorado-based consulting firm that helps nonprofits of all sizes grow with purpose.
She supports organizations with:
- Fundraising campaign design
- Board and staff training
- Strategic planning
- Grants and donor stewardship systems
Whether advising a local health center or a regional arts organization, Catherine brings both empathy and structure to every engagement.
A Leadership Style Rooted in Humanity
Catherine is known not only for her knowledge—but for her grounded, calm, and deeply respectful leadership style.
She listens first. She lifts others. And she believes the best philanthropy is rooted in real relationships—not just metrics.
Catherine lives in Fort Collins with her family and enjoys a balanced life rooted in community. She enjoys cooking, running, biking, and movie nights—a reminder that balance and joy are key to sustainable service.
Why Catherine’s Work Matters
Catherine Carabetta contributions go far beyond fundraising goals. She is helping to reshape philanthropy itself—making it more:
- Equitable: Centering diverse voices and needs
- Strategic: Aligning funding with long-term mission
- Trust-based: Reducing red tape and restoring relationships
- Sustainable: Building internal capacity, not dependency
She is also a strong advocate for women in leadership, mentoring a new generation of changemakers with both skill and heart.
Real-World Example: From Metrics to Meaning
She created “Beyond Discovery,” a museum program that gave donors personal access to exhibits and their real-world impact.
The campaign increased donor retention, brought in new major gifts, and turned passive contributors into proud champions.
It wasn’t about flashy tactics. It was about deep human connection.
Looking Ahead: A More Human Future for Philanthropy
Catherine Carabetta envisions a philanthropic sector where collaboration is the norm, impact is measured in lives changed, and donors are co-creators in mission—not just funders.
She champions values-aligned giving, where transparency and equity lead the way.
With each project she supports, Catherine is helping to build a more just, connected, and hopeful future—for nonprofits and the communities they serve.
Final Reflection
Catherine Carabetta is a purpose-driven philanthropy consultant who empowers organizations to give better—not just more. She blends ethics, strategy, and empathy to build lasting change. In a world searching for meaningful impact, her leadership quietly sets a new standard for what philanthropy can be.
