Kelly Smith Taylor is a dedicated fundraising and nonprofit development professional with a passion for driving year-over-year fundraising success and program impact through strategic planning. She finds inspiration in seeing organizations, teams, and individuals unlock their full potential.
Prior to her current position, Kelly served 15 years in development, leading fundraising efforts for public policy non-profits in Kentucky, Connecticut, and Nevada. During that time, she served as Director of Development and Vice President of Strategic Partners and helped organizations raise over $10 million.
Kelly graduated in 1995 from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. As an undergraduate, she spent two summers in Washington D.C., first with the congressional office of John Boehner and then with the House Conference Committee. Upon graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in business, Kelly worked with elected officials in Cleveland and Columbus as Finance Associate under the Director and Deputy Director, including helping to organize the successful 1998 Governor’s Gala for then Governor Bob Taft. In 1999, Kelly returned to her hometown of Troy, Ohio to work as Field Representative for Congressman John Boehner until 2004. She was responsible for the congressman’s yearly Farm Forum event that brought together farmers and agri-businesses from all over Ohio.
Her expertise includes grant writing, event planning, strategic planning including systems and automations, high dollar direct mail programs, and high dollar prospect acquisition. What she enjoys most about her work in development is connecting with and listening to those she meets, understanding their vision, and finding alignment between mission and potential funders. Kelly is a creative thinker, focused doer, and connector who excels at distilling essential information to turn ideas into impact.
Throughout her career, Kelly has been active with many organizations reflective of her love for faith, civic responsibility, education, and history. She served as interim curator for the Troy Overfield Tavern Museum and served as a guest judge for the Ohio Historical Society’s National History Day which was held in Piqua, Ohio until 2020.
As a first-generation college graduate herself, Chatfield’s mission is close to Kelly’s heart. She finds joy in helping donors align their passions, priorities, and resources to help eliminate barriers to education faced by many student scholars at The Chatfield Edge.