OUR TEAM
We help nonprofit organizations maximize their impact, efficiency, and effectiveness by strengthening key areas of their fundraising infrastructure.
With a combined 40 years of fundraising, consulting and business experience, Melissa and Carolyn have overseen and worked through every type of development challenge both as consultants and institutional gift officers and leaders.
Carolyn and Melissa first met as front-line fundraisers at the University of Chicago, where they worked together as major and principal gift officers, leading donor strategy and solicitations that resulted in millions of dollars in philanthropic support. Following these roles, Melissa transitioned into a leadership fundraising position at a major healthcare system and Carolyn went on to lead a divisional development team. In addition to their individual giving portfolios, they oversaw corporate and annual giving, guided boards and volunteer programs, and managed complex teams. They bring this depth of experience to their consulting practice, helping clients navigate challenges, strengthen development operations, and achieve meaningful philanthropic growth.
PRINCIPAL & CO-FOUNDER
Carolyn Grunst
Carolyn Grunst is a fundraising and strategy consultant based in Chicago. As a leader in nonprofit fundraising, Carolyn’s experience focuses on team and operational leadership, major and principal gifts, campaign management, volunteer oversight and board development. Most recently, Carolyn served as Associate Dean for External Affairs at the University of Chicago Law School where she managed all functional areas of the Law School’s alumni relations and development team and was responsible for the Law School’s fundraising program and performance. She also served on the University-wide Senior Leadership Team for Alumni Relations and Development, which developed and implemented University-wide fundraising strategies and oversaw over 400 staff members. Prior to her work in development, Carolyn worked as an attorney at K&L Gates, a global law firm, in their Chicago trusts and estates practice. She received her BA and JD from the University of Michigan, and serves as a Sustaining Member of the Lincoln Park Zoo Auxiliary Board.
PRINCIPAL & CO-FOUNDER
Melissa Shane
Melissa Shane is a seasoned professional with decades of experience in nonprofits and development. She is experienced in frontline fundraising, major and principal gifts, case for support development, board strategy, annual giving, and large-scale campaigns, among other areas. Melissa's past and current clients include nonprofit organizations ranging from small-scale local initiatives to large-scale operations, corporate foundations, private philanthropists, and healthcare. Before transitioning to consulting, she spent much of her career in-house fundraising, initially at the University of Chicago and later at AMITA Health, the largest healthcare system in Illinois. Prior to fundraising, Melissa was a public affairs consultant in Washington DC and Chicago, providing clients expertise in nonprofit strategy and cause marketing campaigns. Melissa has an MPPA from Northwestern University and a BA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She serves as a Board Member for Roots & Wings Foundation and Betsy's Blankets.
Melissa and Carolyn jointly manage every client and project undertaken by Asher Partners.
We welcome collaborations with other consultants and firms on shared projects.