Kerry P. Watterson, CFRE
About Kerry
Kerry Watterson is the Founder & CEO of Fundraising Well, a certified LGBT Business Enterprise that strengthens and amplifies the impact and income of nonprofits and fundraising professionals around the world. He is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and a BoardSource® certified consultant for nonprofit boards.
Throughout his 24-year career in public service, Kerry has raised and leveraged a half-billion dollars for social impact causes. He has held leadership roles with Year Up, New York Civil Liberties Union, Kaplan’s Educational Foundation, and the University of Texas at Arlington. He also raised capital for numerous political campaigns and commercial ventures, including Broadway productions with the legendary Harold Prince.
Kerry serves on the Board of Directors for A Call to Men, and teaches Fundraising Models & Resource Development with University of California-Irvine. He attended Texas Wesleyan University and University of Arizona earning two master’s degrees.
Upcoming Speaking Engagements
Big Asks Made Easy!
10 Relationship Building Secrets Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know
Fundraising Models & Resource Development
Fundraising Well
June 2025
SOLD OUT!
Fundraising Models & Resource Development
10 Relationship Building Secrets Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know
Fundraising Models & Resource Development
University of California-Irvine
July 2025
10 Relationship Building Secrets Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know
10 Relationship Building Secrets Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know
10 Relationship Building Secrets Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know
National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Conference Conference
August 2025
Past Speaking Engagements
Navigating the Storm: Fundraising Amid Political Shifts & Economic Uncertainty
Navigating the Storm: Fundraising Amid Political Shifts & Economic Uncertainty
Navigating the Storm: Fundraising Amid Political Shifts & Economic Uncertainty
Baltimore Unity Hall
May 2025
Fundraising Well: Moving Toward a Mindset of Abundance!
Navigating the Storm: Fundraising Amid Political Shifts & Economic Uncertainty
Navigating the Storm: Fundraising Amid Political Shifts & Economic Uncertainty
New Leaders Council & Allstate Foundation
December 2024
Generational Giving & Building Dynamic and Lasting Philanthropic Partnerships
Navigating the Storm: Fundraising Amid Political Shifts & Economic Uncertainty
Generational Giving & Building Dynamic and Lasting Philanthropic Partnerships
Global Giving Forum
April 2024
Finding Big Gifts & Impact Investors for Your Nonprofit
Purposeful Leadership: The ART of engaging your stakeholders, stockholders & society
Generational Giving & Building Dynamic and Lasting Philanthropic Partnerships
PhilanthroCon NYC
April 2021
Purposeful Leadership: The ART of engaging your stakeholders, stockholders & society
Purposeful Leadership: The ART of engaging your stakeholders, stockholders & society
Purposeful Leadership: The ART of engaging your stakeholders, stockholders & society
Money4Good
April 2021
Effective Strategy & Execution of Measuring Impact
Purposeful Leadership: The ART of engaging your stakeholders, stockholders & society
Purposeful Leadership: The ART of engaging your stakeholders, stockholders & society
Sustainatopia: Accelerating the Purpose Economy
May 2020
Co-presenter: Todd Fein, Green Diamond
Philanthropy Insights: From 2019 into 2020, what have we learned & where are we going?
Effective Response to Policy Changes: The impact of the Trump administration on the nonprofit sector
Philanthropy Insights: From 2019 into 2020, what have we learned & where are we going?
Association of Fundraising Professionals NYC
January 2020
Co-presenters: Michele Hall, Encourage Kids; Michael Rodgers, NY Road Runners; Susan Murray, Year Up
Ethics, Law, and Nonprofit Compliance
Effective Response to Policy Changes: The impact of the Trump administration on the nonprofit sector
Philanthropy Insights: From 2019 into 2020, what have we learned & where are we going?
Fundraising Day In New York
June 2017
Co-presenter: James Sheehan, NY Charities Bureau Chief
Effective Response to Policy Changes: The impact of the Trump administration on the nonprofit sector
Effective Response to Policy Changes: The impact of the Trump administration on the nonprofit sector
Effective Response to Policy Changes: The impact of the Trump administration on the nonprofit sector
NYU Heyman Program, Center for Global Studies
March 2017
Co-presenters: Stacey Palmer, Chronicle of Philanthropy; Jason Lee, Association of Fundraising Prfessionals
Don't Go It Alone: Effective fundraising strategies for the small/one-person development shop
Don't Go It Alone: Effective fundraising strategies for the small/one-person development shop
Effective Response to Policy Changes: The impact of the Trump administration on the nonprofit sector
The Foundation Center
March 2015
Co-presenters: Susan Gabriel, Cause Effective; Jennifer Bierne, Brooklyn Historical Society
Awards & Honors
Mortar Board National Service Award
The Mortar Board Alumni Association honored Kerry in 2018 with the National Service Award for his leadership and impact in the nonprofit sector, raising the funds that brought about federal recognition of same sex marriages via the historic SCOTUS case, United States v Windsor, and advancing economic and racial justice through dozens of causes.
Ralph Chamberlain Fellowship
The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) NYC bestowed Kerry with the honor of a Ralph Chamberlain Fellowship Grant in 2015.
Board Service & Civic Leadership
A Call To Men
Association of Fundraising Professionals, NYC
Association of Fundraising Professionals, NYC
Board Director
2021 - present
A Call To Men works to end violence and transform society by promoting healthy manhood and providing training and resources for companies, government agencies, schools, and community groups.
Association of Fundraising Professionals, NYC
Association of Fundraising Professionals, NYC
Association of Fundraising Professionals, NYC
Board Director &
Chair, Government Relations & Ethics
2014 - 2021
AFP represents more than 30,000 fundraising professionals around the world, and serves as a thought leader in the field of philanthropy.
New York Theatre Barn
Association of Fundraising Professionals, NYC
AFP Political Action Committee
Board Director &
Secretary, Board of Directors
2009 - 2016
New York Theatre Barn is an incubator for original culture shifting musicals in front of live audiences
AFP Political Action Committee
AFP Political Action Committee
AFP Political Action Committee
Board Director
2019 - 2021
AFP Global IDEA Committee
AFP Political Action Committee
AFP Women's Impact Initiative
Education Chair
2018 - 2022
AFP Women's Impact Initiative
AFP Political Action Committee
AFP Women's Impact Initiative
Curator, Male Allyship Curriculum
2018 - 2022
The State of New York's Philanthropy Advocacy Day
The State of New York's Philanthropy Advocacy Day
The State of New York's Philanthropy Advocacy Day
Founding Chair
2014 - 2021
Sun Out Enterprises Corporation
The State of New York's Philanthropy Advocacy Day
The State of New York's Philanthropy Advocacy Day
Independent Director
2013 - 2020
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