Our Team
Experienced fundraisers. Invested partners.
Philanthropia brings together experienced professionals who care deeply about helping nonprofits succeed. We work alongside leaders and development teams to bring clarity, confidence, and direction to fundraising, always with a deep respect for your mission, your people, and your capacity.
We believe strong fundraising is rooted in relationships, trust, and a genuine understanding of the organizations we serve.
jessica schmitt
founder & principal
Jessica Schmitt is the Founder & Principal of Philanthropia and brings more than 20 years of experience in fundraising, nonprofit development, and relationship building. She founded Philanthropia to give nonprofit leaders a trusted partner they can turn to for thoughtful strategy, honest guidance, and the support they need to move their organizations forward.
Today, Jessica works closely with Philanthropia’s clients as a strategic partner, helping nonprofit leaders step back from the day-to-day and think intentionally about their fundraising programs, priorities, and opportunities for growth. She provides strategy and coaching to executive directors and development leaders, helping them navigate challenges, strengthen donor relationships, engage boards, and build fundraising programs that are both effective and realistic for their organizations.
Before founding Philanthropia, Jessica spent her career on the front lines of fundraising, including serving in development leadership. Her experience spans annual giving, major gifts, capital campaigns, donor stewardship, events, board engagement, development operations, and team leadership. That hands-on experience shapes the practical, relationship-centered guidance she brings to clients today.
Jessica is known for quickly understanding an organization’s culture and people, seeing the bigger picture, and helping leaders identify a clear path forward.
rebecca lund
senior development & communications Consultant
Rebecca Lund serves as Philanthropia’s Senior Development & Communications Consultant and brings more than 20 years of experience in communications, marketing, and relationship-centered engagement. She helps nonprofits strengthen the way they communicate their mission, engage donors, and connect fundraising strategy with thoughtful, effective communications.
Rebecca works alongside clients on annual giving and online campaigns, donor communications, CRM setup and management, website content, and social media strategy. She previously led marketing and communications for a nonprofit organization and school, supporting both fundraising and community engagement.
At Philanthropia, Rebecca partners closely with clients to turn strategy into action. She helps organizations clarify their story, strengthen their messaging, and develop communications that feel authentic to who they are while supporting larger fundraising goals.
Rebecca is known for her collaborative style, attention to detail, and ability to take ideas and turn them into clear, thoughtful, and manageable next steps.
jenny hecker
grant Writing Specialist
Jenny Hecker serves as Philanthropia’s Grant Writing Specialist, bringing more than 30 years of technical writing and editing experience and a talent for turning complex information into clear, compelling narratives.
Jenny partners directly with nonprofit clients to research funding opportunities, develop and submit grant proposals, and manage reporting and follow-up requirements. Her process-oriented approach helps organizations strengthen not only their applications, but also the systems they use to manage grant funding.
Her experience includes successful grant applications for community-based nonprofits, churches, local governments, and a federally funded environmental cleanup project. She previously served in a grant leadership role at a community nonprofit, where she helped expand grant funding and strengthen internal grant processes.
At Philanthropia, Jenny is known for her thoughtful, collaborative approach, strong writing skills, and ability to help organizations clearly and persuasively communicate their programs, outcomes, and impact to funders.
“Philanthropia takes the often intimidating task of fundraising and shows you how it’s possible. They are personally invested in helping your organization succeed and thrive.”
~ Stephanie Thornton, Secretary, Board of Directors
Chesterton Academy of St. Benedict