Bio & Expertise
Mari Eva Mendes (she/her) is a seasoned fundraising and communications strategist with over 20 years of multinational experience in philanthropy, training, and program development.
What I Do
I build fundraising pipelines that outperform expectations, teams that operate with clarity and confidence, and systems that make philanthropy more strategic and more equitable. I specialize in translating complex ideas into funder ready messaging and in creating prospecting and stewardship frameworks that turn potential into revenue.
What I Can Do for You
I bring more than twenty years of experience across six countries, leading institutional giving, prospecting, and communications strategies that strengthen organizations and accelerate growth. I design prospecting models, produce high value research, and create donor engagement strategies that deliver measurable results. I can expand your funding pipeline, strengthen donor relationships, sharpen your messaging, and build systems that support long term organizational success.
What I’m Proud Of
At NRDC, I supported the team last fiscal year in raising $48.5M and secured $10.5M in prospecting revenue through targeted strategy and relationship development. I have led multimillion dollar portfolios, doubled individual giving, modernized systems, and built the infrastructure needed for sustainable fundraising at Girls for Gender Equity, LEAP, Harlem United, and NRDC.
What I Love Most
I love helping organizations communicate their work with clarity, confidence, and purpose. I am energized by building systems that make fundraising more effective, by coaching leaders who want to grow, and by creating strategies that turn complex ideas into compelling cases for support. I enjoy solving problems, strengthening teams, and designing structures that help organizations scale. At my core, I love moving resources toward meaningful impact with precision, creativity, and heart.
