Lauren DeSimone

Lauren DeSimone is a professional with extensive experience in nonprofit fundraising, community engagement, and food systems investment. She currently serves as the Director of Place-Based and Food Systems Investment at LOCUS Impact.26

Professional Background

Lauren is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) with nearly two decades of experience in various aspects of nonprofit development.14 Her expertise includes:

• Annual giving campaigns
• Major gifts
• Donor relations
• Special events
• Grant programs
• Capital improvement projects
• CRM management and data analytics

Current Role and Responsibilities

At LOCUS Impact, Lauren focuses on:

• Food systems investment strategies
• Place-based investment
• Cultivating relationships with organizations and communities
• Developing impactful services and products3

Previous Positions

Before joining LOCUS Impact, Lauren held positions such as:

• Consultant and Community Impact Advisor at Virginia Community Capital5
• Senior Consultant at DBD Group, where she provided fundraising coaching and counsel to nonprofit organizations14

Education and Achievements

• Bachelor's degree from North Central College
• Obtained CFRE credentials in 2017
• Completed the Center for Creative Leadership's "Ladder to Leadership" program in 2017
• Received Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce's "40 Under 40" award in 2016
• Completed the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce's "Leadership Institute" in 20111

Lauren DeSimone is known for her passion for philanthropy and her ability to leverage best practices and data to help nonprofit professionals prioritize strategies that enhance their fundraising efforts.1