Vander Hook Advancement

Services

• Major Gifts Coaching

  Coaching for executives, major gift officers and development teams focused on portfolio strategy, donor cultivation, solicitation planning, stewardship and developing an authentic, personal approach to making the ask.

  Learn more → about Major Gifts Coaching

• Principal and Major Gifts Counsel

  Guidance for organizations ready to take their major gifts programs to the next level, including help building the portfolio strategies, internal infrastructure, database, systems, processes, KPIs, and more to support long-term fundraising success and pipeline development.

  Learn more → about Principal and Major Gifts Counsel

• Interim Development Leadership

  Interim development and major gifts leadership during periods of transition, keeping donor relationships strong, the team supported, and revenue on track.

  Learn more → about Interim Development Leadership

• Fractional Fundraising

  I provide senior fundraising expertise for a defined part of the week. I work alongside development teams or an executive director to strengthen individual giving programs, such as your major or planned giving efforts, while focusing on other fundraising priorities that matter most.

  Learn more → about Fractional Fundraising

• Fundraising Strategy and Planning

  Multi-year fundraising strategies aligned with your organization's vision and long-term goals, with realistic plans your team can actually execute. Depending on your needs, this may include major gift or grant portfolio refinement, donor communications, events, executive and board engagement and system/process improvement.

  Learn more → about Fundraising Strategy and Planning

• Board and Volunteer Engagement

  Activating boards and volunteer leaders as real fundraising partners, with engagement strategy, training, and accountability that strengthen the culture of philanthropy.

  Learn more → about Board and Volunteer Engagement

About me

I am a fundraising consultant with more than 20 years of experience helping nonprofits strengthen philanthropy, deepen donor relationships, and build sustainable fundraising programs. I partner with nonprofit executives, boards, and development teams on fundraising strategy and planning, major gift coaching, interim development leadership, board activation, and the systems and processes that support long-term growth.

Before launching Vander Hook Advancement in 2026, I served as Vice President of Development at MacPhail Center for Music, the largest community music school in the country, where I led a comprehensive fundraising program generating $5.5 million annually. Previously, as Director of Philanthropy for UNICEF USA, I led major gift fundraising across the Midwest and contributed to a national team that raised a record-breaking $1 billion. My earlier frontline fundraising experience includes roles with Southern California Public Radio, part of American Public Media, and the University of Minnesota Foundation.

I help clients turn ambitious goals into focused strategies and meaningful action. I am especially passionate about helping others develop an authentic, personal approach to fundraising and helping nonprofits navigate growth by building the systems, processes, and efficiencies that will serve them well into the future.

After spending several years in Los Angeles, I am glad to be back in my home state of Minnesota. I live in Bloomington with my husband and twin daughters. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, live music, hiking, and exploring the Twin Cities’ vibrant arts and cultural scene.

Kind words

Scroll or swipe to read more.

• "I absolutely cherish working with Christine. While working on complex and transformational partnerships, I sought out Christine's guidance and feedback from cultivation to solicitation strategies. She leads her relationships with great care, big visions and a deep respect for shared values. I cannot recommend working with Christine enough. She will surely strengthen any organization, and its donors will be lucky to have her support and expertise."

  Missy S. , Principal Gift Officer, The Nature Conservancy

• "Christine is hands down one of the best major/principal gift fundraisers I’ve had the privilege to work with. She is a keen listener, incredible connector, strategic thinker and a genuine and compassionate person. Her partners at UNICEF USA, internally and externally, loved collaborating with her. She is a huge asset to any team. As her direct supervisor, I was constantly learning from her as she thought through strategies for engaging donors and investing them deeper in the mission of the organization. If given the opportunity to work with Christine again, I would jump at the chance. I would highly recommend her for her insight, strategic thinking and her incisive ability to ask the right questions in order to find resolution to blockers or challenges."

  Chandra L, Sr. Director of Philanthropy , UNICEF USA

• “Christine brings a warm and personable approach to fundraising based upon a genuine interest in connecting the donor with their passion. Grounded in research and data, her strategies are effective and lead toward building lasting relationships. This creates a base to grow fundraising results over time.”

  Paul B, CEO , MacPhail Center for Music

• "Christine was part of the team that helped build a vibrant major gift program at Southern California Public Radio. She had a special touch combining sharp strategic thinking with genuine relationship building skills as she moved unknown prospects from discovery to their first major gift. One of her successes was identifying and building a community of donors to fund a major initiative. She did this with patience, persistence and much warmth. Some of these donors continue to give today!"

  Carol K, Retired VP of Development , Southern California Public Radio/ LAist

Let's connect

Let’s chat about your or your organization’s needs and fundraising goals, and explore how I may be able to help.

Leave this field empty

1Who you are

Name Email Title (optional) Organization (optional)

2What it is about

Subject (optional)

3Your note

Note

4Send

Send message

• Connect with me on LinkedIn