About Betsy

Betsy O'Brien Anderson, Founder & Principal

Betsy is a results-driven leader who has spent over 25 years building partnerships across sectors and raising millions to promote the arts, expand educational programming, and advance the cure and improve the lives of those affected by multiple sclerosis. Her goal has always been to help organizations realize their greatest impact and to engage and align donors with their values and missions.

For nearly a decade, Betsy steered philanthropic strategy and engagement at Ford’s Theatre. She also led development efforts at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the National Gallery of Art. She excels at building strong relationships and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Betsy was raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and graduated with honors in communication studies from The College of Wooster in Ohio. She is an active volunteer in the D.C. area and delights in spending time with her husband, teenage daughter and son, and rescue dog Maisie and cat Chester.

Contact Betsy

Betsy supported The Phillips Collection through a period of transition in fundraising leadership by conducting a development audit. She presented her assessment to the Development Committee of the Board, and her identification of key opportunities and staffing recommendations helped guide our fundraising roadmap moving forward. It was a pleasure to work with Betsy! She’s an incredible professional who knows development and I recommend her without reservation to any nonprofit.

-- Dr. Jonathan P. Binstock, Director and CEO, The Phillips Collection

I couldn’t recommend Betsy enough. She is sharp, quick to respond and a “working” consultant. While we were understaffed, Betsy parachuted in to motivate and support committee members with our largest fundraising event in less than a month’s time. She guided our year-end fundraising efforts from outreach personalization to scrubbing donor lists. Betsy’s strategic perception and candor was an essential part of the critical guidance she provided as we launched the public phase of our ALL IN Campaign. She’s a team player, a lifesaver, and a joy to work with on many facets of our development efforts.

-- Kimberly Lane, Chief Development Officer, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington

Our development director resigned one month before our inaugural fundraising event, leaving a huge gap. A trusted colleague recommended I reach out to Betsy to help the board with fundraising and ticket sales. She jumped in and ensured that we had a well-attended and successful fundraiser! Even better, this short-term project evolved into a monthly retainer with Betsy working with me and our board of directors, providing development support and guidance for more than a year. Betsy is amazing and is a pleasure to work with, and I would not hesitate to hire her again!

-- Lauren C. Vaughan, President & CEO, Samaritan Inns

About Betsy

Betsy O'Brien Anderson, Founder & Principal

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