Professional Bio

Cindy Kilduff is the Founder and Senior Advisor of Cindy Kilduff Insights, a boutique fundraising consulting firm launched in 2022 out of a desire to help development professionals raise the bar on all their development operations in a meaningful and durable way. This desire was born from working with several nonprofit organizations in both volunteer and professional capacities and understanding what fundamentals are needed to succeed.  

During her four decades of fundraising experience, Cindy raised tens of millions of dollars and developed a winning mindset, toolset, and skillset for long-term donor-centric relationships. 

Cindy’s volunteer fundraising and board leadership experience was developed over a span of 25 years while raising a family, serving as a community leader, and working as a solopreneur decorative artist, award-winning designer, and Realtor.  

Her professional fundraising experience came through her work with several diverse nonprofit organizations. First, with Culver Education Foundation, a private boarding school with an international student body, located on a 1700-acre campus in Culver, Indiana. Cindy oversaw Major Gift and Legacy fundraising on Culver’s behalf across the southeast United States, broke Annual Giving records alongside 5 reunion classes, and raised $5m to fully fund a capital project.  

Cindy also upskilled development operations for ArtsinStark, the county arts council that uses the arts to create smarter kids, new jobs, and a healthier community. She did this while building a new revenue stream for the organization and raising money for the annual arts drive.  

Most recently, Cindy worked in Major Gifts, Legacy Giving, and led an Institutional Giving team for State Policy Network (SPN). SPN is a national nonprofit dedicated to making its 50-state Network of think tanks better, stronger, and faster at researching, enacting, and implementing free-market policies in their states. There she oversaw a portfolio of more than 50 foundations and 150 sponsor/exhibitor partners for SPN’s Annual Meeting, focusing on fostering win-win partnerships and long-term relationships. Cindy raised the bar and broke fundraising records for all the programs she was responsible for, while mentoring others on the team.  

Cindy graduated Cum Laude from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Arts. She double majored in economics and political science, double minored in sociology and French, and served her sorority as President. She graduated from Culver Girls Academy as Senior Prefect, Valedictorian, and captain of the varsity tennis and volleyball teams. 

Raised in the Chicago suburbs, Cindy has been a proud Ohio resident for over 30 years. She and her husband, Kelly, love spending time with their four adult children and their spouses/significant others, as well as two delightful grandchildren.