Testimonials
“From a $500,000 budget to $5.3 million in two years“
“Barry has guided me as a mentor for the last nine years. The first thing he ever explained to me was what a not-for-profit organization is. The latest has been how to think critically and creatively in order to restructure a comprehensive fundraising strategy (from wiping out millions in debt to an organization debt-free and with an endowment) and go from a $500,000 budget to $5.3 million in two years.
“One conversation with Barry saves precious time and ensures you are provided the indispensable tools to be on a proven fast track to success. Not only does he understand how to build and sustain a successful organization, but he delivers tangible tools and explanations to accomplish this feat with confidence.
“Thanks to Barry, my fundraising toolkit is far beyond anything I would have been able to learn through career experience, and most certainly more than I have picked up from books I’ve read and the many workshops and conferences I’ve attended. I am certain I would not be where I am in my career if I we had not met.
“Barry’s advice has always been constructive, rational, and dispassionate, which I have found very helpful when I’ve felt I hit a brick wall. At every stage of my career journey, he has understood my needs, he has guided me through many changes successfully, and gifted me the tools to thrive far into my future.”
— Amanda Graham
Director of Philanthropy
Oregon Humane Society
Portland, Oregon
“New Level of Achievement”
Barry Nickelsberg has been the driving factor behind my successful transition from practicing law as a trust, estate, and tax attorney to a professional fundraiser, confident and competent to meet the needs of donors of all degrees of wealth. Barry was methodical in educating me on successively more difficult fundraising techniques, and he challenged me to grow into each new level of achievement. Most important, Barry showed me how to build the strongest possible donor relationships, in service of the long-term successful partnership between our organization and our donors.”
— Mark Williams, ESQ
Senior Associate Director
Office of Estate & Gift Planning
The Carter Center
Atlanta, Georgia
“Beacon of Expertise”
“In the world of fundraising, where the landscape is often complex and challenging, Barry Nickelsberg emerges as a beacon of expertise, integrity, and passion. It is without hesitation that I recommend Barry to any organization seeking to enhance its fundraising capabilities and make a lasting impact on the causes they hold dear.”
— Russell N. James III, J.D., Ph.D., CFP®
Director of Graduate Studies in Charitable Planning
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX
“Experienced unparalleled growth and increased its reputation”
“Barry Nickelsberg was my colleague when he served as Vice President for Institutional
Advancement. It was a uniquely positive experience owing to Barry’s distinctive style and appreciation for the unique mission of the institution. The college experienced unparalleled growth and increased its reputation during his tenure there. Barry was well liked by students and faculty and it is noteworthy that he was generous with his time volunteering in various roles both on campus and the community. For all of this I commend him to the reader.”
— Myron Brown
Executive VP & Provost
Sherman College of Chiropractic
Spartanburg, SC
“Since 2010, Barry Nickelsberg and I have worked together in various capacities. His business ethics are simple: Under promise and over deliver. I doubt you will find someone with more integrity and knowledge of the philanthropic community than Barry.”
— Kenneth Kilroy, Esq.
Sr. Director
Private Client Service
RSM
Los Angeles, CA
“Incredibly Helpful“
“As representative of a family foundation in Montana, I found that I needed a second set of eyes to review our grant application process. Some of our applicants seem to be having difficulty providing the information that we were requesting. I reached out to Barry and asked him to review our application and process. Very quickly he provided some incredibly helpful suggestions which have helped clear up the confusion”
— Mike Cooney
Executive Director
Treacy Foundation
Helena, Montana
“If he can do that for us, he can do it for anyone”
“As a small, southern synagogue in Georgia, we faced the same challenges of many others. We needed a lot of money and our members couldn’t provide it. We turned to Barry Nickelsberg. In just three months, he raised $385,000, which allowed us to hire a full-time, Rabbi, significantly increase our security and renovate our sanctuary to be accessible to all and bring it up-to-date with modern building codes. If he can do that for us, he can do it for anyone.”
— James Fineman
President
Temple Beth David
Snellville, GA
“Authentic Relationship“
“How thankful I am for the gracious opportunities which I have had to learn from Barry Nickelsberg about organizational leadership and fundraising. With wisdom born from decades of proven experience, and a generous spirit akin to one’s
favorite rabbi or most trusted friend, his gifts in consultation translate well beyond mere dollars and cents. At the heart of Barry’s message is a word of uncommonly good sense—a living blueprint for meeting the mission through the transformative
power of authentic relationship. This is what he offers, this is who he is, and this is what he cares about. How blessed I am to have shared in his good company!”
— Dr. Darren M. McClellan
Senior Pastor
Fairhope United Methodist Church
Fairhope, Alabama
“Built an extremely successful and powerful endowment“
“My respect for Barry Nichelsberg knows no bounds and my love for him is like that of a brother. We are joined at the heart in our lifelong commitment to doing our part to heal
the world. Together, we seek to give voice to an ethical imperative, by using the arts to inspire decency, empathy, and caring- and to build peace.
“Like myself, Barry is both an artist and an advocate/activist. As a master of on-stage American Sign Language interpretation, Barry’s hands become their own, highly dynamic art form. When performing with me and other
musical artists, his “signing” gives voice to his passion, his innate charisma and allows him, in a totally unique way, to inspire others to find their own path to making a difference
in the world.
“For 14 years, Barry was a dynamic leader of The Carter Center, and he guided me in my own contribution of performances at their mobilizing and fundraising gatherings. These annual events help sustain the Carter
Center’s extraordinary international work envisioned and led by President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter.
“During Barry’s tenure, The Carter Center built an extremely successful and powerful endowment through its Legacy Circle.
“At present, Barry, generously and compassionately, continues to be an enviable example of a “life well lived” and a mench, par excellence.”
— Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul & Mary)
New York, New York
2024
“Help you develop the interpersonal and fundraising skills“
“Barry Nickelsberg and I met through his work in development for The Carter Center. He knew immediately that as much as I admire President and Mrs. Carter and their mission, I am one of those people who will honor The Carter Center in my will but have to make sure that I can take care of myself while I’m alive. What Barry will help you do is to read people, to understand them, and to share common interests and values the way he did with me. He will help you develop the interpersonal and fundraising skills you have already and lead you into recognizing skills you need to work on in order to accomplish your goals…professional and personal. Barry listens and, as your coach, you will find that as you talk with him you will crystallize your ideas and develop an approach to communicating deeply with people. During his visits for The Carter Center, Barry helped me cope with concerns for my son’s health. He reassured me that I would recover from a knee injury. He shared his vast range of life experience in ways that helped me feel hopeful and positive about the good that is possible. Barry’s belief in the work of The Carter Center confirmed my belief in its principles and made me wish that I could support it now rather than in the future. He will guide you into appreciating the long game in development and fundraising and, I hope, the value of creating friendships that go beyond work.”
— Elisabeth Cody
New Hampshire
“Trademark for Success”
“I have known Barry Nickelsberg for nine years. We first met when he was working as Chief Development Officer for The Carter Center. As I understand, his primary objective was to double the Carter Center’s endowment fund. It quadrupled during Barry’s 14 years on staff.
“Each time we spoke in person, on the phone or via Zoom, I felt like Barry was focused solely on me. In group meetings of 20 at my house or 800 at the middle school where I taught, Barry was always fully present. What I like best about Barry is that he LISTENS…a rare quality these days. That is his trademark for success.”
— David M. Baker
Wasilla, Alaska
“Extraordinary fundraiser”
“Barry Nickelsberg is an extraordinary fundraiser. He has the KNACK for encouraging donors to think about philanthropy as social investing. Barry gently, patiently, and effectively encourages donors’ to become partners with not-for-
profits. Barry believes that donors benefit from being philanthropic. If you or your organization need help reaching financial goals, Barry Nickelsberg should be the first person you call.”
— David L. Camenga, MD
Rockland, Maine
“Approach to fundraising is gentle, respectful, genuine, and inclusive”
“As a trusts and estate attorney, my valued clients can be very demanding. In dozens of meetings and having attended a few of his public presentations, I trust Barry’s expertise and judgment.
“Barry’s approach to fundraising is gentle, respectful, genuine, and inclusive. I’ve witnessed Barry in his “coaching/mentoring” mode and can say without reservation that his instincts are spot on. “That is of course reflected in his successes in building wealth for NGOs.”
— Jane Beaumont Hall, Esq.
Santa Monica, CA