About Darren

Darren Macfee, founder of the Nonprofit Wizards, spent six years as the Executive Director of the Lincoln Children’s Museum. He knows first-hand what it’s like to lead a staff and report to a board. He understands being the public face of a very public organization, a feeling you really can’t fully comprehend unless you’ve been there. But that’s not what defines him.

He spent a decade in the fund development office. Starting as an intern stuffing envelopes and rising to Director of Development, he has performed literally every task there is in a development office. This gave him a deep understanding of fundraising from all angles: research, database management, grants, sponsorships, annual giving, events, major gifts, campaigns, and (his personal favorite) planned giving. He’s been personally involved in securing more than $5 million in philanthropic funding–not just “giving advice,” but boots-on-the-ground, eye-to-eye fundraising. But that’s not what defines him.

He spent a limited amount of time in financial services. This could be best termed as a “successful failure” as he determined that financial services wasn’t his true calling. On the other hand, he learned a TON about the intricacies of financial products–stocks, bonds, mutual funds, annuities, life insurance, etc. He also discovered the massive world of research into consumer behavior and decision-making, helping him craft more effective fundraising systems. But this isn’t what defines him.

What does define him is his insatiable thirst for learning. Inspired by Tim Ferriss, Darren is driven to identify, understand, and “process-ize” the habits and actions that lead to success. Of course he doesn’t claim to know more than you about the success factors unique to your situation, but he has collected a wide array of experiences he can call on to help you think through your challenges and identify actions to take to move forward.

That, along with his devotion to his wife, affection for his children, and being a person of faith, are what define him.

Ready to let Darren help you make some magic? Contact us now!

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