Nell Edgington has 25 years of experience innovating in the social change sector. At Social Velocity she helps nonprofit and philanthropic leaders become more confident, strategic and financially savvy at creating social change.
In addition to leading Social Velocity, she writes and speaks extensively about moving the nonprofit sector and the philanthropy that funds it to become more effective at creating social change. She is the author of the book, “Reinventing Social Change: Embrace Abundance to Create a Healthier and More Equitable World.” She also writes the popular Social Velocity blog, and has contributed to many print and online journals in the social change space. Nell is also a member of the national Leap Ambassadors Community, a network of over 250 nonprofit and philanthropic thought leaders working to create a high performing social change sector.
Prior to Social Velocity, Nell transformed the fundraising and marketing functions at KLRU, Austin’s PBS (public broadcasting) station. She raised $5 million annually, led a team of 15 marketing and fundraising professionals, and helped lead the station’s strategic planning process. She conceived, secured funding for and implemented a new development plan which increased annual revenue by $1.6 million, with double or triple-digit percentage growth in major gifts, membership, corporate support and online giving. These accomplishments led KLRU to 5 national PBS Awards for fundraising excellence.
Previously, as Director of Development at the Capital Area Food Bank, she increased annual revenue by 40% to $2.5 million. Prior to that, Nell was a management consultant helping nonprofits create strategic, marketing, business and fundraising plans, launch earned revenue businesses, and develop their boards.
Before earning her MBA from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University, Nell worked at PBS (public broadcasting) headquarters in Washington, D.C. managing $1 million+ corporate sponsorship accounts and strengthening PBS’s marketing strategies. Prior to that, she led fundraising, marketing and board development efforts at the Oregon Children’s Foundation.
