Katherine Sarlson
Founder & Principal Consultant, Sarlson LegacyWorks | Planned Giving & Endowment Strategy for Nonprofits
- Role
- Consultant at Evolve Giving Group
- Location
- Philadelphia, PA, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Katherine Sarlson
With more than 30 years of experience in major gifts, planned giving, and endowment strategy, I help nonprofits build long-term sustainability through thoughtful, donor-centered legacy development.My career has spanned local and national roles, including serving as National Director of Life & Legacy at the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, where I led efforts to strengthen endowments for 900+ organizations across North America and guided a team of consultants supporting community partners. I’ve also led comprehensive planned giving programs in healthcare and community-based organizations, stewarded high-value donor relationships, and driven initiatives that expanded legacy giving pipelines, secured complex estate commitments, and cultivated internal capacity.Today, through Sarlson LegacyWorks, I partner with organizations to:• Build or strengthen planned giving and endowment programs• Design donor engagement, recognition, and stewardship strategies• Implement systems, training, and structures that build confidence and culture• Provide hands-on guidance around donor conversations and philanthropic readinessI believe legacy philanthropy is more than a fundraising tactic — it’s a long-term strategy for stability, mission alignment, and community promise.If your organization is ready to begin or deepen this work, I’d love to connect.
Experience
Consultant
Nov 2025 — Present
At Evolve Giving Group, a woman-owned and woman-led consulting firm serving nonprofits, I focus on major gifts and campaign fundraising, helping nonprofits advance their work through major gifts and campaign fundraising by building clear strategy, strong momentum, and sustainable philanthropic growth.
Education
Stanford University Graduate School of Business
M.B.A. & Certificate in Nonprofit Management, Business and Nonprofit Management
1993 — 1995
Harvard Divinity School
M.T.S., Theology
1987 — 1989
University of Michigan
A.B., Studies in Religion
1982 — 1987
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