Kief Schladweiler

With a steadfast commitment to philanthropy and a career spanning over two decades, Kief has been an integral part of Candid (and Foundation Center, one of its legacy organizations) since 1999, currently serving as Senior Development Specialist. In this role, he adeptly manages approximately 100 relationships with donors and prospects each year, boasting a portfolio that includes some of the nation’s largest foundations. Kief excels in raising funds for unrestricted support and special projects, skillfully navigating the complexities of donor relations and crafting impactful fundraising strategies for foundation and corporate support at Candid.

Kief spent nearly ten years overseeing the Funding Information Network (now the Candid community program). Under his dynamic leadership, the program flourished, comprised of libraries, nonprofit resource centers, and other institutions providing free access to invaluable fundraising resources and training. Notably, he played a pivotal role in doubling the program’s size and orchestrating its international reach. Kief was also instrumental in transforming the annual Network Days conference into a hybrid event, seamlessly blending in-person and virtual elements to facilitate global partner participation.

Prior to his tenure in development, Kief held various roles at Foundation Center, including serving as a reference/online librarian and coordinating services for grantmakers. His diverse contributions also extend to the editorial realm, where he assumed the role of editor for Foundation Fundamentals: A Guide for Grantseekers, a revered and best-selling fundraising textbook among his numerous editorial credits.

Kief holds a Master of Arts in Library and Information Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, underscoring his dedication to knowledge and information dissemination. His professional journey commenced at the New York Public Library, where he served as a reference librarian at the Countee Cullen Library and Donnell Library Center.

Kief’s unwavering passion for philanthropy, coupled with his extensive expertise, continues to drive positive impact and shape the landscape of fundraising and community engagement at Candid.