Strategically-Focused, People-Centered Nonprofit Consultants
About Rose City Philanthropy
Rose City Philanthropy was founded by Jeri Alcock and Lara Miller. We have 40 years of combined experience consulting to and working in mission-driven institutions.
We have provided services for national and regional foundations, coalitions, colleges, arts groups, and others. We maintain a network of consultants, grant writers, and data specialists that partner to bring you the optimal team for your project or campaign.
Jeri Alcock
Senior Partner
Jeri has worked in the nonprofit sector for twenty-eight years as a fundraising professional and consultant. She earned her Certified Fundraising Executive credential in 2008 when she became a full-time consultant. She provides campaign planning and counsel for cities, special districts, and nonprofits across the Pacific Northwest.
Jeri completed her undergraduate degree at Pacific University and her master’s at Portland State University. She is a former board member of Forward Stride Center for Therapeutic Recreation and the Oregon Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Jeri is passionate about helping great causes to find their greatest champions. She is a certified facilitator in the 5 Behaviors of a Cohesive Team©, and her favorite projects involve audacious goals and results-oriented teamwork. Jeri resides in Beaverton, Oregon, but her favorite place is on her paddleboard anywhere in the sun.
Lara Miller
Senior Partner
Lara brings 12 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.
Cece Clitheroe
Consultant
Cece has deep knowledge and experience leading capital and program expansion campaigns for hospitals and schools. As a leader in the nonprofit sector for over 15 years, she served as the Executive Director of a hospital foundation, working closely with the board of directors to successfully complete multiple capital projects. Her prior 25-year career in commercial banking gives her a strategic edge on capital projects that weave financing and fundraising to reach their campaign goals.
Throughout her career, Cece has served on many boards including Boys and Girls Club, Rotary Club, and a local wetlands reserve. She earned her Bachelor of Economics degree from UCLA and received certification from the Western Agricultural Credit School at Washington State University. She is an avid gardener and loves to cook and travel with her husband.
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.
Jennifer Kilbourn
Project Manager
Jennifer has close to twenty-five years’ experience working with nonprofit fundraising, administration, and management. Jennifer attended Hamilton College in Clinton, NY, majoring in Anthropology and received her BA in Humanities from the College of Santa Fe. Beginning as a canvasser in Denver, CO for environmental, consumer protection, literary arts and social justice organizations, and then as a resident of Santa Fe, NM, she has served on the administrative and fundraising staff of economic development, higher education, environmental conservation, and cultural affairs non-profit organizations. As a consultant since 2011, Jennifer has worked with clients in animal welfare, health and human services, secondary education, performing arts, cultural affairs, and youth development sectors to achieve mutually determined goals to elevate
overall fundraising efficiencies and success.
She has served as a board member, development chair and president of St. Elizabeth Shelter and has enjoyed volunteering with the International Folk Art Market and the Interfaith Community Shelter. Jennifer’s experience as an administrative and advancement professional, as well as a nonprofit board member, has helped her cultivate a holistic approach to cooperative, compassionate, and effective management across constituencies.
Alissa Beddow
Graphic Designer
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.
Lara and Jeri were both phenomenal in explaining steps and going above and beyond for our organization.
– Charmaine Nawrocki, Executive Director
Humane Society of Cowlitz County
Our Philosophy
We believe in the power of purpose. When the right people come together around a shared passion great things happen. We also believe in laughter because giving and receiving should be joyous.
We enter at a strategic level and encourage bold, informed leadership because strong teams are best able to advance their missions. We work with organizations whose missions we believe in because integrity is our driving value.
