Dana Cummings

About Dana Cummings

Dana S. Cummings, EdD, CFRE is an entrepreneur and consultant with more than two decades of leadership experience across philanthropy, higher education, and civic initiatives. She most recently served as Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Franklin College, where she led fundraising, alumni engagement, and communications, and previously held advancement leadership roles at DePauw University and Indiana University, supporting scholarships, capital projects, endowment growth, and institutional strategy.In 2024, following the completion of her doctorate, Dana founded Dana Starr Cummings (DSC) Consulting to help mission-driven organizations navigate complex challenges that require strategic clarity, strong governance, and collaborative leadership. Her work centers on philanthropic strategy, strategic planning, funder engagement, and team development, with an increasing focus on civic, economic, and rural development.Dana is also the co-founder of Sunovis Ranch, an agrivoltaic and solar grazing enterprise that reflects her broader interest in agritourism, rural innovation, and sustainable economic development. Through this work, she collaborates with landowners, developers, and community stakeholders to advance models that balance agricultural heritage, renewable energy, and local economic vitality.Across all of her work, Dana is especially interested in how communities build trust, align resources, and strengthen the systems that support long-term impact—from philanthropy and higher education to local media, rural economies, and civic life.Dana lives with her husband and three children on a farm outside Franklin, Indiana, where they happily raise Katahdin sheep and chickens. You can learn more about her at danastarrcummings.com.

Experience

1. Founder & Principal

   Dana Starr Cummings Dsc Consulting

   Aug 2024 — Present · Franklin, IN, US

   I founded Dana Starr Cummings (DSC) Consulting in August of 2024 after completing a doctorate in education in order to bring my 20+ years of experience to bear in support of clients in the nonprofit, higher education, and corporate sectors. At DSC Consulting, we offer fundraising counsel, strategic planning services, team assessment and development, and fractional leadership to institutions and organizations, and we are committed to exceeding expectations for our clients.

Education

• Indiana University Bloomington

  MPA, Nonprofit Management

• Creighton University

  Doctor of Education - EdD, Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

• DePauw University

  BA, Anthropology

Skills

• Leadership Development
• Teaching
• Event Planning
• Press Releases
• Alumni Relations
• Fundraising
• Stewardship
• Program Development
• Nonprofits
• Staff Development
• Non-Profits
• Leadership
• Grant Writing
• Higher Education
• Community Outreach
• Public Relations
• Annual Giving
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Social Media
• Volunteer Management
• Public Speaking
• Board Development
• Philanthropy