KATE R. SCHNITTMAN, CFRE
Kate Schnittman, CFRE, is President and Founder of Ardent Group.
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Kate enjoys creating valuable collaborations between nonprofit organizations, philanthropic individuals, and the business community to achieve common objectives. She is experienced with grant planning and writing; database solutions; development communications; event planning; annual giving programs; donor cultivation and stewardship planning; strategic planning; and project and program management. Kate is recognized for accomplishments partnering with new and promising nonprofits to establish foundational fundraising systems.
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Committed to service, Kate serves on the Villa of Hope Board of Directors, chairs the Rochester Women's Network Community Engagement Committee, and is a member of The Children’s Agenda’s Fundraising and Development Committee. Historical board service includes the Charles & Mary Crossed Foundation, House of Mercy, and the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum. Kate is the former President of MOMS Club International Drexel Hill and is proud of her service with Peace Corps Kazakhstan. Passionate about education, Kate has served on the School Improvement and Headmaster Search Committees for Ruamrudee International School in Bangkok, Thailand, as well as the Advancement Committee for Ss Philip and James School in Philadelphia.
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Kate emerged as a nonprofit executive in 2010 when she left her 12-year career as a human resources consultant to found The Kolbe Fund, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit that supports families who must travel to obtain pediatric medical care. In 2016, in recognition of her service, Kate received the Power Woman Award from the Main Line Times, was designated as a Philadelphia Woman on the Move, and received the Main Line Parent Community Builder Award. In 2022, she received the Alumni Service Award from Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women.
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Kate is a 1998 graduate of The College of Wooster with a major in Economics. She received her degree in Mathematics and Education from Nazareth College in 2003 and has been a Certified Fund Raising Executive since 2019.
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Born and raised in Rochester, NY, Kate is a proud alum of Our Lady of Mercy High School. Kate's greatest joy is experienced in time with family. Kate and her husband, a teacher at McQuaid Jesuit and also a Rochester native, reside in Brighton with their three teenaged children.
