Alison Patterson

Alison Patterson works with community foundations as part of Embolden’s team of carefully-selected experts in philanthropy.

As an independent consultant, Alison is known for building trusted relationships, aligning passions, philanthropic goals and board engagement with organizations and causes.  

Together with the individuals and organizations she has worked alongside, we have made a lasting impact on Kansas City. Building strong boards and committees, focusing giving, creating funding streams and building and endowing buildings that have changed the landscape of our community. 

Alison brings thirty years experience in nonprofit development, public relations and civic engagement. She has extensive experience in developing long-tern partnerships between nonprofits and their donors, including major capital fundraising, campaign planning and implementation, major gift development and cause branding and marketing.

After twenty years in the nonprofit sector, in 2019 Alison founded Patterson Philanthropic Advisors, LLC a boutique firm that connects philanthropic engagement to relationships that transform the giver, businesses, non-profit organizations and our community. She empowers her clients by connecting not just their treasure, but their talent and time with the community. 

Alison’s specialties include fundraising, relationship management, case development, board recruitment and engagement, strategic development planning, corporate partnerships, foundations, individual donors, giving circles, family offices, and donor-advised fund holders. Alison also consults on building nonprofit relationships, guiding families through fund creation, philanthropic organizational transition, and creating and enhancing processes and procedures for both developing and mature organizations. Alison is also well-versed in strategic thinking, growing annual funds and executing successful capital campaigns.