Putting the Plans into Action: Implementing Effective Fundraising Strategies

Laura Cannata

Laura Cannata grew up outside Buffalo, NY, and worked in Greater Boston as a fundraising and marketing professional for 30 years before settling permanently in Eastham in June 2023. As the Chief Advancement Officer of the Community Development Partnership (CDP), Laura leads and implements the CDP’s development, marketing, and communications strategies to raise the organization’s visibility and secure a diverse and sustainable revenue portfolio to support the organization’s program growth and strategic goals.
 
Before joining the CDP, Laura was a senior consultant for the Development Guild DDI. She oversaw fundraising consulting engagements serving regional, national, and global nonprofits in education, health and science, the arts, and human service including the Scratch Foundation, The Children’s Museum of Boston, Concord Museum, Cape Ann Museum, The Winsor School, and Woodwell Climate Research Center. As a fundraising director and grant writer at The Baker Center for Children and Families, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts, and Daily Table, she significantly increased relationships and contributed revenue during her tenure. Her experience includes donor relations at Milton Academy, overseeing stewardship communications and events to support the school’s successful $175 million campaign.
 
Laura earned her undergraduate degree at Hamilton College and a Master of Business Administration from Boston University with a concentration in Public and Nonprofit Management. Outside of work, Laura enjoys having rich conversations with family and friends, cooking, listening to music, practicing yoga, exercising outdoors, and gardening.