Strategically-Focused, People-Centered Nonprofit Consultants

Jeri Alcock

Senior Partner

Jeri has worked in advancement for 29 years.  She became a full-time consultant after she earned her CFRE in 2008.

She founded Rose City Philanthropy in 2018 to provide data-driven campaign strategy. Jeri specializes in public-private partnerships and  has worked on 30 campaigns in her career including The Campaign for Portland State University, the university’s first comprehensive campaign.

Jeri Alcock brings robust expertise in donor analytics and emerging AI solutions, having worked for DonorSearch, a leading national provider of donor intelligence solutions that pioneered an advanced fundraising efficiency tool, specific to grateful-giving programs. In her role with DonorSearch she served clients such as University of Southern California and UC Davis.

Jeri is a Certified Facilitator for Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team™ and a graduate of Pacific University, with a master’s degree from Portland State University. 

Lara Miller

Senior Partner

Lara brings 15 years of multi-media marketing, ten years of brick-and-mortar business ownership, and ten years of fundraising experience to her consulting practice. She has led the fundraising efforts for arts and culture, environment, and social service nonprofits. 

Lara served as both chair and vice-chair of the PHAME board and is currently on the Pittock Mansion board. Lara is certified by the International Institute of Cultural Affairs in the Technology of Participation (ToP™) Facilitation and Planning Method. Lara’s work brings diverse voices to the table and taps into collective wisdom resulting in lofty goals and systemic change. 

Caryl Zenker

Consultant

Caryl has three decades of nonprofit experience including zoos and aquariums, the arts, public broadcasting, and civic engagement.  A practitioner and educator, she has managed multi-million-dollar campaigns and taught nonprofit management and fundraising at Portland State University and University of Washington.

Caryl was born in New York City, received a B.A. from The Evergreen State College and attended the Evans School of Public Affairs. She is committed to social justice and has served as Board President for the Seabury School in Tacoma, Washington and a grant reviewer for the Youth Development Division of the Oregon Department of Education. Currently, Caryl is serving on the board of Stone Soup PDX.    

Caryl is an avid Pinot Noir fan and you will often find her sharing this liquid magic in the Willamette Valley at Sokol Blosser Winery.

Mark Parker

With a career spanning 25-plus years, Mark brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the strategic planning and execution of multiple eight-figure fundraising initiatives. From 2001 to 2009, Mark served as a Senior Executive Director for an international fundraising consulting firm, orchestrating capital campaigns for academic medicine, regional hospitals, cultural institutions, religious orders, churches and schools in the Midwest and Northwest.

Mark earned his CFRE designation in 1997 and has a dozen years of leadership experience in Independent School fundraising and alumni relations, having served as Assistant Head of School for Development, Director of Development, Director of Annual Giving, and Director of Major Gifts. He has delivered transformative results in alumni participation, annual support, endowment, and capital projects.

Mark brings creativity and passion to capital campaign design and implementation, board development, major gift cultivation and solicitation, fundraising feasibility assessments, the crafting of compelling fundraising messaging, and data-driven strategies.

A native of North Carolina and graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, Mark has called Portland home since 2003. An avid golfer, Mark eagerly anticipates his next trip to Bandon Dunes. 

Penny Cowden

MPA, FAHP, CFRE, Consultant

Penny has specialized in nonprofit philanthropy for almost thirty years as a philanthropy executive and consultant.  She has worked at mid to large health systems throughout the United States as well as organizations serving national audiences.  She is experienced in all levels of fundraising as well as strategic planning, capital campaigns and planned giving programs.

Penny earned her bachelor’s from Portland State University and master’s degree from Washington State University. She holds the CFRE designation and has earned advanced certification as a Fellow in the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy (FAHP).

She has served on a variety of regional boards and is a previous board member for the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners.  Penny is a native of the Pacific Northwest and enjoys spending time with her husband and their favorite Labrador friend, Jax.

Alissa Beddow

Graphic Design

Alissa is a multi-disciplinary designer who works with civic organizations to advance ideas, initiatives, products, and services. She has a background in Applied Linguistics and has worked in nonprofit communications and design for over 10 years. From page to pixel, she works collaboratively with project teams to solve problems and deliver products that are accessible, effective, and well-crafted. She enjoys helping teams materialize complex information and call attention to their good work.