Linda N. Spencer
Lead Content Strategist & Copywriter

About Linda

From Million-Dollar Campaigns to Million-Word Stories: Where Philanthropy Meets Powerful Storytelling

I’m a global content strategist and storytelling catalyst who bridges the worlds of philanthropy and narrative creation. With over two decades of senior-level experience raising more than $200 million for causes that matter—from inner-city education to international humanitarian work—I found that the heart of both fundraising and storytelling is the same: the power of story to move people to action.

After successfully leading development efforts for organizations like Covenant House International (where I exceeded a $55 million annual goal, raising over $62 million), the Inner-City Scholarship Fund, and the Archdiocese of New York, I transitioned my passion for impact into the world of professional storytelling. I’ve written and edited over 16 million words across books, thought leadership articles, GEO/SEO/AEO content, speeches, and multimedia narratives for purpose-driven leaders and brands worldwide.

My superpower? I understand that whether you ask someone to give $100,000 or buy your book, you ask them to believe in something bigger than themselves. This personal philanthropic foundation and ethos infuse everything I do for strategic impact.

My cross-cultural perspective—having lived or worked in the United States, France, Spain, Greece, Argentina, Brazil, the UK, Mexico, and Central America—brings a global lens to my portfolio career. I’m fluent in Spanish and skilled at crafting narratives that resonate across cultures and contexts.

My expertise includes legacy and thought leadership writing for executives and social entrepreneurs, writing, editing, and coaching full-length books that capture authentic voice and vision, GEO/SEO/AEO-optimized content that drives both engagement and search visibility, social impact storytelling that moves hearts and minds, and cross-cultural content strategy for global brands and leaders.

My client portfolio reflects my commitment to purpose-driven work, including long-term partnerships with Funds2Orgs, Sneakers4Good, Green Sneakers, Chapel & York, High Impact Nonprofit Advisors, and others. Notably, my work with Chapel & York extends beyond content creation—due to my strategic management experience, I serve as a project consultant for their IT/Operations team, streamlining systems and implementing AI and automation solutions for this global international philanthropy firm.

I’ve also advised major nonprofits, including affiliates of Make-A-Wish, United Way, Catholic Charities, and dozens of other impact organizations. When I’m not adding to my portfolio career, I explore life, legacy, and human connection on my Substack, My Red Sneakers, where my philanthropic heart and storytelling skills come together to examine the stories that bind us.

I have a Master’s in Social & Organizational Psychology from Columbia University’s Teachers College and a Bachelor’s in English from St. John’s University. I believe in human-to-human connections and that every story—whether it’s a fundraising case statement or a memoir—can change the world.

Linda's latest articles

Happy Birthday Cha Cha Cha Shoe Drive Fundraiser for Kids

Carrie Green found Funds2Orgs during an online search for fundraising ideas, then held off on starting the first Happy Birthday Cha Cha Cha shoe drive fundraiser. A goal of 2,500 pairs of shoes “seemed unattainable,” she wrote. She went ahead anyway. “I am so glad I went for it,” she added in a February 2026... READ MORE

Northwoods American Legion’s Playground Shoe Drive Fundraiser

MarySue Engebretson’s community named Palmer Park after two of her brothers. When her family set out to update the park’s playground with all-inclusive, accessible equipment, the cost was steep, and the group raising the money was small. They needed another approach. In 2025, the Northwoods American Legion Post 94 Playground Fund, based in Crandon, Wisconsin,... READ MORE

How Penn Wynne Built a Yearly Library Shoe Drive Fundraiser

The Penn Wynne Library Association once collected so many shoes for its library shoe drive fundraiser that it had to store them in an attic. A Funds2Orgs staff note recorded that detail in 2019. That collection was one part of a long run. Funds2Orgs records show payments to the association every year from 2017 through... READ MORE

How Forest Hills Built a Community Shoe Drive Fundraiser: Drop-Offs, Facebook and School Flyers

After helping organize Forest Hills cheerleading’s 2019 shoe drive fundraiser, Kristen Turner had one clear change in mind: decide where people could drop off their shoes before launching the fundraiser’s Facebook page. The parent coordinator’s reasoning was practical. As she wrote in her follow-up, “collecting only at people’s homes would have been unrealistic.” A public... READ MORE

Shoe Drive Fundraiser Examples: Four Ways to Involve Your Community

A school shoe drive fundraiser can begin with children holding signs. An animal rescue can invite participation with a puppy beside its collection display. A student team can gather at a truck full of bagged shoes and see what its community helped collect. These are scenes from our partner video. They show how different groups... READ MORE

A Guide to Hosting a School Fall Festival (+ How to Make it Profitable)

It’s 4:45 on a Saturday afternoon in October. The bounce house is humming, the trending song is on its ninth loop, and a line of second graders is waiting for their turn to soak the vice principal with a wet sponge. Over by the front gate, a parent volunteer works the math and quietly hopes... READ MORE

12 Giving Tuesday Ideas: The Ultimate Guide

On December 2, 2025, 38.1 million Americans did something good. They donated money, gave away goods, volunteered, and spoke up for causes they love. By the end of the day, they had given $4.0 billion. That was Giving Tuesday. On December 1, 2026, it’s your turn. Below are 12 Giving Tuesday fundraising ideas, real stories... READ MORE

How to Raise Money for Classroom Supplies: 5 Simple Ideas

For educators, the start of a new school year brings exciting possibilities. Unfortunately, it can also bring with it some significant costs. If you’re an educator, you know that classroom supply costs can add up quickly. The National Education Association reports that teachers spend hundreds of dollars out of pocket on classroom supplies, ranging from... READ MORE

How to Host a Trunk or Treat: Ideas, Themes & Tips for Success

No need to go door-to-door. With a trunk or treat, your Halloween treats are just a drive away. A trunk or treat is a popular way to bring families together for an evening full of fall festivities, from costumes and candy to creatively decorated cars. The best part? Trunk or treat ideas are easy, inexpensive,... READ MORE

How to Organize a Fundraiser Event

Figuring out how to organize a fundraiser event isn’t about picking a theme or booking a venue. It starts with a number. Every nonprofit that pulls off a standout event, whether it’s a gala, golf outing, or a community shoe drive fundraiser, begins by asking one question: how much money do we need to raise,... READ MORE

Raise Money for Adoption: How the LeMay Family Brought Home a Son

Bringing a child into a loving home is one of the most incredible gifts a family can offer. But long before parents bring a child home in an adoption, most have to also resolve the issue of how to pay for it. Adoption costs are steep, and depending on the route (i.e., domestic, international), it... READ MORE

How to Raise Money for a Club

If you run a club, you know how quickly the expenses add up. As your club grows and projects ramp up, fundraising stops being an activity and starts being a necessity. When most people think of fundraising, they think of the classics: door-to-door sales, repetitive outreach, voluntary donations. In the modern day, though, there are... READ MORE

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