About Betsy

Betsy O'Brien Anderson, Founder & Principal

Betsy is a results-driven nonprofit leader with more than 30 years experience building cross-sector partnerships and raising millions of dollars in support of the arts, educational programming, and the fight against multiple sclerosis. She partners with organizations to help them achieve their greatest impact and to engage and align donors with their values and missions.

For nearly a decade, Betsy shaped philanthropic strategy and donor engagement at Ford’s Theatre. Earlier in her career, she led development efforts at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the National Gallery of Art, building a track record of turning relationships into lasting institutional support. Known for her warm, collaborative style, Betsy works seamlessly across teams and departments to build the kind of trust that fuels long-term philanthropic growth.

A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Betsy graduated with honors in communication studies from The College of Wooster in Ohio. She lives in the D.C. area, where she volunteers in the community and spends her free time with her husband, teenagers, and rescue pets Maisie (dog) and Chester (cat).

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Betsy brings a wisdom to her role that is rooted in so many leadership strengths. To name just a few: a gift to motivate staff and trustees alike to understand goals and commitments and the joy that follows meeting both head on, a producer’s instincts and skillset when it comes to galas and events, and the discipline to stay on the short-term tasks while setting up the long-term vision for success. Betsy brought her A game, superpowers and authentic self to play as Arena’s Interim CDO and we are all the better for her remarkable service.

-- Edgar Dobie, Executive Producer, Arena Stage

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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