Nonprofit Fundraising Consultants

Strategic fundraising
that moves the needle.

Pepper Tree Partners provides fractional development leadership and major gifts strategy for nonprofit organizations ready to grow their impact. Based in Southern California, serving missions nationwide.

California pepper tree with lush canopy against warm golden light, symbolizing growth and deep roots
Stanford / Hoover Institution Navy SEAL Foundation Richard Nixon Foundation Independent Institute GLI Liberty Network Junior Achievement of Southern California PragerU Intercollegiate Studies Institute

Two decades of building
donor relationships that last.

Anthony T. Curtis is a seasoned fundraising executive with over 20 years of experience leading major gifts programs, capital campaigns, and development operations for some of the nation's most respected institutions. He has directed fundraising efforts that have raised tens of millions of dollars for organizations in education, public policy, veteran services, and civic life.

Before founding Pepper Tree Partners, Anthony served as Director of Development, Western Region at the Navy SEAL Foundation, where he led all major gift fundraising and regional events across the Western United States. Prior to that, he spent six years at Stanford University's Hoover Institution as Associate Director of Development, managing a $2.5M+ annual portfolio and securing individual commitments ranging from $250K to $10M.

His career also includes a decade as Executive Vice President and COO of the Richard Nixon Foundation, where he directed the $25M Richard Nixon Centennial Campaign, oversaw the library's renovation and expansion, and led a team of 35 employees.

Anthony holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Legal Studies from California State University, Fullerton. He is based in Newport Beach, California.

Proven results at every scale.

From $25K major gift solicitations to $10M transformational commitments, a track record of building pipelines that produce meaningful, lasting support.

$10M
Largest Single Gift Secured
$25M
Capital Campaign Led
$75M
Campaign Strategy Support

What we do.

Pepper Tree Partners offers tailored consulting for nonprofit organizations looking to strengthen their fundraising capacity, build major gifts programs, and develop sustainable donor pipelines.

Major Gifts Strategy

Build and manage portfolios of high-capacity individual donors and corporate partners. Lead cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift prospects at the $25K+ level with multi-year giving strategies.

Donor Cultivation & Stewardship

Develop and execute moves management strategies to advance prospects toward meaningful commitments. Identify, qualify, and engage new individual and corporate prospects through targeted outreach and relationship building.

Fractional Development Leadership

Serve as your organization's fractional Director of Development — providing senior-level fundraising leadership, staff mentorship, and strategic direction without the full-time overhead.

Event Planning & Execution

Plan and execute targeted cultivation events, fundraising galas, donor gatherings, and recognition ceremonies. Over 200 events managed across foundations, universities, and national organizations.

Grant Writing & Proposals

Develop compelling funding proposals, grant applications, and case statements that articulate your mission and make a persuasive argument for philanthropic support.

Systems & Capacity Building

Optimize your CRM (Salesforce, Blackbaud, Raiser's Edge), implement prospect research and qualification systems, develop KPI tracking, and refine internal fundraising processes for long-term sustainability.

Career highlights.

A 20+ year record of fundraising leadership across some of the nation's most respected nonprofit and academic institutions.

2023 — Present
Founder & Fundraising Consultant
Pepper Tree Partners, LLC
Launched a nonprofit consulting practice serving organizations with major gifts strategy, donor acquisition, moves management, event planning, grant writing, and development communications. Clients span think tank, civic education, and humanitarian sectors.
Current Engagement
Fundraising Consultant
Junior Achievement of Southern California
Providing fractional development leadership and major gifts strategy support to expand donor engagement and grow the organization’s capacity to deliver financial literacy and workforce readiness programs across Southern California.
2023 — Present
Fundraising Consultant
Independent Institute
Advising on major gifts strategy and donor cultivation for one of the nation’s leading nonpartisan public policy research organizations. Supporting prospect identification, qualification, and multi-year giving plans across the Institute’s research initiatives.
2023 — Present
Fundraising Consultant
GLI Liberty Network
Partnering with the GLI Liberty Network on donor development and strategic fundraising initiatives to support the network’s civic and educational mission.
2024 — 2025
Director of Development, Western Region
Navy SEAL Foundation
Led all major gift fundraising, donor strategy, and regional events across the Western U.S. for one of the nation's highest-rated veteran service organizations. Directed major fundraising events and cultivated high-capacity donors across California, Colorado, and Hawaii.
2022
Director of Major Gifts
Intercollegiate Studies Institute
Spearheaded major gifts strategy for the $75M "Roots of American Renewal" campaign. Rebuilt the major gifts department, introduced national model for regional gift officers, and increased prospect outreach to 600 per month.
2014 — 2020
Associate Director of Development
Hoover Institution, Stanford University
Managed a $2.5M+ annual giving portfolio. Secured transformational gifts including $10M for the Economic Working Group, $5.25M for the Public Policy initiative, and $1M to name a chair. Converted 10 annual members to Board of Overseers, adding $1M in annual funding.
2004 — 2014
Executive Vice President & COO
Richard Nixon Foundation
Led the $25M Richard Nixon Centennial Campaign. Oversaw library renovation, directed 200+ events, managed a team of 35, and coordinated national media outreach. Organized a historic delegation to the People's Republic of China.

Let's talk about your mission.

Whether you're building a major gifts program from the ground up or looking for senior-level support to take your fundraising to the next level, we'd welcome the conversation.

Reach out directly

Based in Newport Beach, California. Available for engagements across Southern California and nationwide.

Newport Beach, California