Nonprofit Fundraising and Communications
Affiliate, NTEN: Nonprofit Technology Network

Carolyn M. Appleton has more than 30 years of hands-on nonprofit fundraising and communications experience across Texas and beyond. She has raised more than $33 million and is known for tackling seemingly impossible major gift campaigns and turning them into success stories. Carolyn has adopted a variety of technologies to help amplify her impact and reduce reliance upon others. She has been a guest speaker for a variety of organizations, from the Association of Fundraising Professionals and Grant Professional Association to Crescendo Interactive and Qgiv, from universities to Rotary clubs, NTEN: Nonprofit Technology Network and TechSoup. Carolyn's aim is to inspire nonprofit organizations of all sizes, and to help them learn what it takes to launch and succeed with major gift fundraising.

From 2015 to 2021, Carolyn was the primary volunteer organizer of Nonprofit Tech Club Austin. Based upon its success, the club has become TechSoup Connect Texas with a statewide reach. Carolyn's primary professional affiliation is with NTEN: Nonprofit Technology Network. In 2011, Carolyn launched Carolyn's Nonprofit Blog. Today, the website is visited by more than 100 nations annually.

Carolyn was elected to The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi during graduate school and is still a member today. Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest, largest, and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Carolyn holds two degrees from The University of Texas at Austin, a B.A. With Honors in Middle Eastern Studies and an M.A. in American Art. She was the recipient of the Meredith Long Scholarship in American Art and published scholarly articles while still attending graduate school. Carolyn is an elected member of the National Society, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (with five documented American Revolutionary War ancestors, one of whom was responsible for the success of the Crossing of the Delaware). Today, she spearheads the Literacy Promotion Committee of the Austin Colony Chapter.

Carolyn has received awards for her professional and volunteer work from such organizations as Texas Nature Conservancy, BRIT: Botanical Research Institute, Art Museum of South Texas, Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation and NTEN: Nonprofit Technology Network. She also spends time mentoring grant seekers and nonprofit fundraisers via Carolyn's Nonprofit Blog, and volunteering for Citizens' Climate Lobby Austin Chapter (Twitter curator @cclatx), and ONE Campaign (advocacy only). Carolyn is also a volunteer and supporter of Bee Cave Arts Foundation, BookSpring and Chive Charities