About Me
I’m Allison Bough, founder and president of SparkNonprofit Consulting + Coaching, an executive coach, certified fundraiser, and consultant.
For more than 30 years, I’ve partnered with courageous nonprofit leaders committed to leading and succeeding. Your growth, lifelong learning, and professional development are some of my highest priorities.
If you’re a dynamic, high-performing leader, I’d love to work with you and your team to develop a big vision for your nonprofit and the fundraising strategies to achieve it.
Why Me?
I understand what it’s like to work in a small nonprofit, and that you may have big dreams but limited capacity. I specialize in helping nonprofits with annual budgets of $300,000 to $3,000,000 overcome challenges, develop strategic solutions, and secure the funding to thrive.
My tailored approach combines proven strategies, deep industry knowledge, and a commitment to understanding the unique needs of each client. Whether it’s creating a comprehensive fundraising strategy, guiding leaders and teams through executive coaching, or facilitating strategic planning, I deliver actionable results that make a tangible difference.
I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Economics & Business from Hollins University and an MBA from Meredith College. I’m both a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and a Certified Facilitator by the Association of Fundraising Professionals International, and I am certified in the Frame of Mind Coaching methodology. You can learn more about me on LinkedIn.
I’ve been there too.
I understand the overwhelm you sometimes feel and what it’s like to juggle funding uncertainty, staff challenges, board issues, and the limitations that often come with small nonprofits. It’s easy to be pulled in so many directions and lose clarity about what really drives your success. Sometimes the answer isn’t to add activities or programs, but to eliminate those that aren’t truly an efficient use of resources.
As a nonprofit leader, I once had a staff member who wasn’t performing up to expectations. Figuring out how to handle that was a challenge. I struggled through it. It would have been so much easier if I’d had a coach by my side to listen to my concerns, help me examine my mindset, and guide me to be a better leader who inspired that staff member to grow.
I also know what it’s like to be under constant pressure to raise money. There’s huge pressure to raise large gifts, but have you truly engaged and strengthened your core base of everyday and mid-level supporters?
You don’t have to struggle alone.
I’m committed to empowering leaders like you to be the very best versions of themselves and attain even higher levels of success. Let’s create a plan to help you and your nonprofit achieve more and thrive.