Our Story

We’ve all walked in your shoes. Let us share our nonprofit experience to help you succeed.

Kennari Consulting is one of the largest full-service fundraising consulting firms in Michigan. Sandi Frost Steensma started Kennari Consulting in 2007 because she realized that nonprofit organizations needed more customized, day-to-day, “nuts and bolts” fundraising support as well as campaign coaching. In 2022, long time COO (and first employee) Laura Kruisenga became President/CEO and owner of Kennari Consulting. Today, the firm has 11 staff members and serves more than 100 nonprofit organizations with consulting and direct services each year.

The consulting team has been carefully chosen to fill emerging client needs as Kennari has grown. Each staff member brings a wealth of experience in the nonprofit sector, and a specialized area of knowledge. We leverage this experience base to our clients’ advantage by creating unique team combinations for each engagement.

Kennari Consulting has influenced hundreds of nonprofit organizations, helping them achieve greater levels of accomplishment. We focus in six pillar areas of nonprofit service: arts & culture, healthcare, education, social services, faith-based, and recreation and greenspace. We can demonstrate significant expertise, plentiful experience, and consistent success in these particular sectors of the nonprofit world. Fundraising is essential to nonprofit survival. Our team’s ability to influence organizations for good has helped them survive a challenging economy, and thrive in a good one.

Kennari Consulting is committed to the success of our clients and to the individuals who work in the fundraising profession. Each Kennari Consulting professional is invested in building the capacity of our clients and providing leadership to others in our industry. We are involved in the community and serve on multiple boards. We work tirelessly to raise the level of ethical and impactful fundraising practices. As seasoned fundraising professionals, we mentor young professionals in our industry to help them reach their highest level of achievement. It is critically important that each senior level professional take it upon him or her self to teach and train the next generation so that highly impactful organizations can be sustained well into the future. We are committed to this mission.

To learn more, explore our services, read about our results, or contact us.

"As the leader of the fund development department, having Kennari's guidance and support throughout our budgeting and planning process has been extremely valuable. Having what feels like an extension of my own team, especially in 2020 and 2021 as funding sources were uncertain, was a tremendous asset."

Gina Schulz
VP of Corporate and Foundation Giving
Grand Rapids Public Museum


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