About Us

Over 50 Years of Experience & Know-How in the Non-profit Sector.

Hundreds of millions raised for non-profits.

Our History

With over 50 years of combined experience and know-how in the nonprofit sector and having raised hundreds of millions for non-profits, we understand the significance of effective fundraising for nonprofits in the community and the vital role donors play in their success.

At Donor Synergy Consulting, we believe that it’s crucial for organizations to understand both their community and their donors. We bring the support and expertise needed to help your organization thrive by unlocking the unique resources of passionate people who surround them.

We embrace diversity and equality as we support the various organizations meeting the changing needs of communities. We aim to help each organization reach its full potential, as we know a healthy and prosperous nonprofit sector benefits everyone. Fundraising, done well, is transformational. It’s about turning dreams into reality and shaping your organization and the community it serves. Our approach is not one-size-fits-all; we customize our strategies to match the uniqueness of each nonprofit’s mission and the people it serves.

As a dedicated partner, we are committed to your organization’s success. We will tailor our approach to your specific needs, goals, and preferences and continue to offer ongoing support to ensure learning, growth, and success in your fund development efforts to support the organization’s mission.

 

Kelli Horton, Founder and CEO

Kelli Horton, CEO and Founder of Donor Synergy Consulting, is an experienced catalyst for change with over 30 years of professional experience. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s in Marketing. Her passion for building strong and stable nonprofits has led her to connect good organizations with good people to drive results. Kelli’s approach includes artful questioning and candid commentary to get everyone involved and achieve transformational solutions.

Kelli’s extensive background in sales, marketing, and leadership has been instrumental in the success of numerous nonprofits. She has managed relationships with trustees, philanthropists, senior executives, and community leaders, leading to significant and lasting philanthropic contributions. Her portfolio includes work with various educational, faith-based, and human services organizations. She has built and supported effective leadership teams, developed programs, and increased organization funding.

Kelli’s expertise and dedication have made her a sought-after senior strategist, providing guidance and support to CEOs and their leadership teams. Her ability to quickly understand a nonprofit development program’s overall view or spend time reviewing data with expertise in building programs from the ground up has been instrumental in her success.

Kelli is passionate about challenging the status quo when it comes to Donor Synergy Consulting’s partners by tapping into others’ genius to achieve innovation and results. She is a truth-teller who delivers insight and solutions that probe deeply beyond the surface. Her commitment to building best practices to drive results has made her a valuable asset to nonprofits seeking transformational solutions.

Julie King, Creative Services Director

Julie King, an honors graduate with a BFA in Graphics and Communications from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, brings over 30 years of creative leadership in nonprofit and consumer brand marketing.

She has led award-winning awareness and fundraising campaigns across healthcare, senior care, education, human services, domestic violence, animal rescue, and the arts.

With 15 years dedicated to nonprofit marketing and development, Julie is known for turning limited budgets into high-impact results that boost revenue, reduce costs, and strengthen brand presence. Inspired by her personal experiences in fostering, adoption, and community service, she blends empathy with strategy to create authentic communications that inspire action and lasting trust.

Torri Mathes, Chief Marketing Officer

Torri Mathes is a distinguished professional in strategic communication. She has over a decade of experience in digital marketing, public relations, and management within the municipal and nonprofit sectors. With a focused approach to guiding, streamlining, and executing strategic communication initiatives, she has effectively nurtured meaningful connections and addressed communication gaps while overseeing the marketing and communications efforts for Donor Synergy Consulting’s partners.

As a strategic communicator, Torri is deeply committed to promoting transparent communication, facilitating sustainable collaboration, and enhancing public engagement. She dedicates her efforts to educating stakeholders about the significance of effective communication in both individual and community contexts. This encompasses developing and implementing tailored communication strategies for clients, managing media relations, designing social media campaigns, providing workshops and training for staff, and facilitating sessions aimed at engagement and stakeholder analysis.

Holding a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, alongside certifications in emergency management and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Torri offers a distinctive amalgamation of expertise. She is devoted to ensuring that organizations communicate effectively and resonate profoundly with their constituents.

Mackenzi Mosher, Executive Assistant

Mackenzi is the dynamic Executive Assistant at Donor Synergy Consulting.

She embodies integrity and professionalism while consistently providing outstanding administrative support.

Collaborating closely with the CEO and Donor Synergy Consulting’s nonprofit partners, Mackenzi is a crucial driver of success for the Donor Synergy Consulting team.

Allison Perreault, Creative Lead-Mission & Design

Allison is a creative professional with a strong background in print and digital media. Her collaborative leadership style effectively drives impactful campaigns for Donor Synergy Consulting’s partners from conception to execution, facilitating the seamless integration of marketing objectives.

By consistently developing innovative solutions and crafting compelling stories for partner brands, Allison achieves high-quality results that truly resonate with audiences. Her meticulous attention to detail and commitment to brand consistency allow her to bring creative visions to life while ensuring alignment with broader goals.

Allison earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Western Michigan University.

Mary Beth Rizzo, Sr. Consultant

Mary Beth Rizzo brings over 25 years of leadership experience in education, social services, and nonprofit work. She earned an Education Specialist Degree in Leadership from Oakland University, a Master’s in Counseling from Wayne State University, and a Bachelor’s in Education from Western Michigan University, grounding her work in both learning and service. 

She is known for building strong relationships and fostering collaboration. She has helped teams and organizations grow in ways that create meaningful, lasting impact. Guided by her passion for children and education, Mary Beth blends knowledge, compassion, and teamwork to support nonprofits in building brighter futures.

Jennifer Finney, Sr. Consultant

Jennifer Finney brings more than a decade of experience in marketing and communications, with a strong focus on partnering with nonprofit leaders to advance mission-driven goals. She collaborates closely with executive teams, boards, and stakeholders to develop strategic marketing and communications plans that align vision, audience, and impact. Jennifer creates compelling content that resonates with both local and national nonprofit audiences, with a proven track record that includes Public Service Announcements, integrated email campaigns, social media strategy, and press outreach.

Her background in managing business districts, leading complex events, and advising C-level executives underscores her strength in strategic planning and organizational alignment. Known for a leadership style grounded in collaboration, empathy, and clear communication, Jennifer consistently delivers results that support long-term growth and engagement.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Miami University and a digital marketing certification, equipping her to make a meaningful and lasting impact for the organizations she serves.