Yolanda F. Johnson

Founder
President and Founder, YFJ Consulting

With a wealth of experience in the non-profit sector, Yolanda F. Johnson, a leader in fundraising, philanthropy and Inclusive Philanthropy, has developed training methods for boards and leadership groups in effective fundraising strategy, in addition to successfully launching fundraising and marketing initiatives; creating special streams of earned income and special events, including creative strategies for partnerships and sponsorships; securing foundation, corporation and government funding, and cultivating a diverse major gifts portfolio. Her philanthropic work includes counseling philanthropists on where to direct their resources, and through her own YFJ Philanthropies, she personally gives back to causes supporting equity, those with disabilities and the arts. A trailblazing figure on the nonprofit landscape, from 2019 - 2022, Yolanda was the president of Women In Development (WID), NY, one of the NY Metro Area’s premier professional fundraising organizations and she is the founder of Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy (WOC). Yolanda is a sought-after keynote speaker, panelist, and moderator for various presenting organizations nationwide and internationally. She serves on the Marketing Committee of Advisors in Philanthropy.

Her other leadership roles include serving on the Board of Directors of the Hudson River Museum, Lehman College Art Gallery and PowHer NY. She is also a Special Advisor to the American Composer’s Orchestra and the former United Nations NGO Rep and current International Advisory Board Member for the Foundation for Post Conflict Development.

Yolanda’s career as a successful performing artist and public speaker (www.yolandafjohnson.com) has given her a unique, creative perspective on the communications and presentation aspects of organizational development. With this in mind, she developed All the World’s A Stage, a special workshop using performance practice for fundraising, philanthropy, and Inclusive Philanthropy. She presents All the World’s A Stage to professionals and leadership groups across the country. Yolanda was awarded the 2021 Changemaker Award from the Institute of Nonprofit Practice and is a founding member of the Women’s Philanthropy Alliance, a core group of industry experts and thought leaders on Women’s Philanthropy. Yolanda is a member of the Women’s Philanthropy Institute National Council as well as the Leadership Network for the Amplify Her Charitable Foundation. She was recently appointed to be a member of the Impact-Driven Philanthropy Collaborative and 2025 saw her receive her Impact Philanthropy Advisory (IPA) certification from Daylight Advisors.