Our Framework
"Data drives strategy. Strategy creates execution. Execution has results. Results enhance impact."
Data Every engagement begins with a rigorous analysis of your donor database, giving history, and capacity indicators.
Strategy Insights become a tailored roadmap — major gift portfolios, pipeline development, campaign timelines.
Execution We walk alongside your team through every step — not in front of it, not behind it.
Results Measurable outcomes: increased donor retention, upgraded gifts, campaigns funded, leadership strengthened.
Impact Your mission advances. Your community grows. Donors become lifelong champions for your cause.
Who We Serve

Built for Organizations
Like Yours.

Small & Mid-Size Nonprofits

Organizations with annual budgets between $500K and $10M that need development infrastructure, strategy, and senior-level counsel — without a full-time CDO.

Nonprofits in Transition

Organizations navigating executive transitions, departing development directors, or a first-time capital campaign who need a steady, experienced hand.

Growing Cause-Driven Organizations

Missions with momentum that need to professionalize their fundraising, build a major gift program, and create a culture of philanthropy from the ground up.

Healthcare & Social Service Orgs

Pennsylvania-based hospitals, hospices, human service providers, and community health organizations navigating complex donor relationships and campaigns.

Education & Arts Nonprofits

Schools, museums, community foundations, and cultural institutions seeking to deepen donor engagement and grow their endowment and annual fund.

Faith-Based Organizations

Churches, dioceses, and faith-based nonprofits that want to expand their philanthropic reach beyond the congregation into the broader community of support.

What We Do

Expert Counsel.
Hands-On Partnership.

We provide small and mid-sized nonprofits with the staff power and expertise of a large development shop — tailored to your mission, your donors, and your goals.

Fundraising & Development

Identify the right donors, ask the right way, and build relationships that last.

  • Major & Mid-Level Giving Strategy
  • Annual Fund & Donor Retention
  • Foundation & Grant Seeking
  • Capital Campaign Planning & Counsel
  • Planned Giving Program Development
  • Special Event Strategy
  • Outsourced Development Staff
  • Peer-to-Peer & Online Fundraising
Organizational Leadership

Strengthen the systems, people, and culture that make sustainable fundraising possible.

  • Fractional Chief Development Officer
  • Interim Executive & CDO Leadership
  • Gift Officer Coaching & Training
  • Donor Identification & Prospect Research
  • Organizational & Development Assessment
  • Capital Campaign Feasibility Studies
  • Culture of Philanthropy Development
  • Board Engagement & Development
AI & Innovation New

Position your organization to lead — not lag — through intelligent use of data and technology.

  • AI-Powered Fundraising Strategy
  • Donor Data Analytics & Predictive Modeling
  • CRM Assessment & Optimization
  • Ethical AI Implementation Guidance
  • Staff Training & AI Readiness
  • Personalization at Scale
  • Donor Communications Strategy
Featured Service

Fractional CDO Services
for Pennsylvania Nonprofits

Not ready for a full-time Chief Development Officer? A Fractional CDO gives you senior-level fundraising leadership — major gift strategy, team oversight, board engagement — at a fraction of the cost. Available for engagements across Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, statewide — and virtually, nationwide.

Learn More on LinkedIn
How We Work

A Process Built
for Results.

01
Discovery

We start by listening — to your organization, your donors, your data, and your goals. No assumptions, no cookie-cutter playbooks.

02
Strategy

We design a tailored fundraising roadmap — priorities, timelines, and moves management — built around your capacity and your mission.

03
Execution

We work alongside your team to implement — donor visits, case development, campaign management, staff coaching — every step of the way.

04
Momentum

We build systems that outlast the engagement — infrastructure, culture, and skills your team owns long after we're gone.

Why Keystone

Best Practices.
Built for Your Scale.

01
Enterprise Methods, Right-Sized

We bring the strategies used by the largest nonprofits in the country and translate them for organizations without a 20-person development team. No bloated playbooks. Just what works for your size and stage.

02
Donors as the Hero

Every strategy we build centers the donor's story, motivations, and relationship with your mission. When donors feel like champions — not ATMs — retention follows naturally. So does major gift growth.

03
A Partner, Not a Vendor

We walk alongside your team through every step of implementation. We don't hand you a report and leave. We're in it with you — from strategy through execution to results.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked
Questions.

Who We Are

Erik Tomalis

Founder & Principal, Keystone Philanthropy

Erik Tomalis is an internationally recognized nonprofit leader, speaker, and fundraiser with more than two decades of experience helping mission-driven organizations grow generosity and strengthen donor relationships. Throughout his career, he has personally conducted more than 5,000 face-to-face donor solicitations and helped raise millions of dollars for organizations spanning healthcare, education, faith-based, human services, athletics, and youth-serving sectors.

Most recently, Erik served as Chief Revenue Officer and Chief Community Officer at Avid, working closely with nonprofit leaders across North America and internationally — ensuring technology serves the full complexity of philanthropy. Today, through Keystone Philanthropy, he provides strategic counsel, speaking, education, partnerships, and interim leadership to help organizations strengthen fundraising, expand capacity, and grow generosity.

Prior to Avid, Erik held leadership roles with Virtuous, the Sigma Nu Educational Foundation, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the Boy Scouts of America, and other nonprofits — building deep expertise in major gifts, capital campaigns, and organizational development.

Erik serves on the Advisory Board of Fundraising.AI and is a member of the Giving Institute. He has also served in volunteer leadership with the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Children's Advocacy Center of Butler County. Above all, he believes generosity is built on trust, empathy, and authentic human connection — and that the heart of philanthropy will always remain deeply personal.

Erik lives in the Pittsburgh area with his wife, Kate, and their two Shetland Sheepdogs, Winnie and Willett. He is a graduate of Duquesne University and the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

Speaking & Thought Leadership
  • AFP ICON
  • AFP LEAD
  • Many AFP Chapters
  • Fundraising.AI
  • Community Boost
  • AHP
  • AASP
  • ADRP
  • ADRA
  • CCCU
  • Habitat for Humanity
  • Easterseals DLN
  • Boys & Girls Clubs
  • Boy Scouts
  • FFE
  • Festival de Fundraising
  • Planet Philanthropy
  • KeyCon
  • Philanthropy in Action
  • Bridge
  • BridgeTECH
  • Faith & Fundraising
  • Cause Camp
  • and many more
Follow Keystone on LinkedIn Follow Erik on LinkedIn
On the Stage

Keynotes & Workshops.
Nationally & Virtually.

Topics Erik Speaks On
  • Artificial Intelligence in Philanthropy — practical, ethical, and actionable strategies for nonprofits navigating AI adoption
  • Major Gift Strategy & Donor Psychology — what moves donors to give and how to build relationships that last
  • Fundraising Innovation — embracing technology without losing the human heart of philanthropy
  • The Future of Generosity — trends shaping donor behavior, giving culture, and the nonprofit sector
  • Building a Culture of Philanthropy — turning entire organizations into engines of donor engagement
  • Nonprofit Leadership & Revenue Strategy — aligning mission, team, and systems for sustainable growth
Recent Speaking Engagements (2026)
  • AFP ICON
  • AFP Greater Philadelphia
  • AFP Tampa One Day
  • AFP NC Philanthropy Conference
  • Cause Camp
  • Association Healthcare Philanthropy
  • Association Donor Relations Professionals
  • Emerging Philanthropy Conference
  • Bridge / Bridge Tech
  • Festival of Fundraising (Italy)
  • Planet Philanthropy
  • Philanthropy in Action
  • Virginia Fundraising Institute
  • Arizona Statewide Conference
  • Giving Institute Summer Symposium
  • Foundation for Fraternal Excellence
  • Faith & Fundraising
  • BuildGood
  • KeyCon
  • Whitely Lecture (AFP NJ)
  • Giving Season Summit
  • Nonprofit Fundraising Summit
  • State of Nonprofit AI (Avid)
  • Charity Navigator & FreeWill Summit

Bring Erik to Your Conference or Event

Erik speaks in person across North America — and virtually, worldwide. Available for keynotes, workshops, panels, and emcee engagements. Topics are tailored to your audience and goals.

Request Erik to Speak

Let's Begin
the Journey.

Every culture of philanthropy starts with a single conversation. Tell us where your organization wants to go — we'll help you build the path to get there.

Schedule a Consultation

Or reach us at Erik@keystonephilanthropy.com  ·  LinkedIn