Summer Dean, CFRE
Senior Consultant
Guiding Mission-Driven Organizations with Experience and Strategy
With over 20 years of fundraising experience, most of it rooted in Pittsburgh’s educational nonprofit community, Summer Dean brings insight, empathy, and strategy to every client engagement. Since joining Advancement Advisors in 2016, Summer has helped nonprofit partners thrive by conducting development audits and feasibility studies, crafting strategic fundraising plans, and providing expert campaign management support.
Summer brings a particular passion for working with minority-led nonprofits, helping them design sustainable fundraising models that reflect their community values and missions.
Areas of Expertise
- Fundraising Audits & Feasibility Studies
- Campaign Strategy & Management
- Annual & Major Gift Program Development
- Donor Cultivation & Prospect Strategy
- Leadership Coaching for Development Staff
- Nonprofit Process Optimization & Implementation
Career Highlights
- Joined Advancement Advisors in 2016, providing strategic fundraising guidance to regional nonprofit clients
- Served as Director of Development at Crossroads Foundation, implementing donor strategies that stabilized and grew annual giving and oversaw an endowment campaign that raised $5 Million
- Led fundraising strategy at The Neighborhood Academy, including major gifts cultivation and campaign readiness for a $10 million capital campaign
- Began her nonprofit fundraising career as Development Officer at The Neighborhood Academy, advancing to Director of Development
- Spent five years at PepsiCo, Inc. as a Sales Manager, where she developed a strong foundation in strategic planning and leadership before transitioning to mission-driven work
Credentials & Community Involvement
Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), earned in 2020
Board Member, AFP Western PA Chapter
Chair, Board of Directors, Foster Love Project
Board Member, Christian Immigration Advocacy Center
Let’s Work Together
Summer’s approach is collaborative, candid, and rooted in results. She understands the challenges that nonprofit leaders face and partners with them to implement practical, mission-aligned solutions.
Contact Summer: summer@advancementadvisorsgroup.com