Lauren Harden
Lauren Harden is a Philanthropy Officer specializing in major gifts, fundraising, and community engagement, with more than 12 years of experience advancing mission-driven nonprofits. Currently with The Healing Place in Louisville, Kentucky, Lauren has built a career rooted in strengthening donor relationships, elevating organizational visibility, and driving sustainable growth. Her background spans crisis mental health services, military family and veteran support organizations, and complex, multi-entity nonprofits, where she has consistently aligned development strategies with mission and impact.
Throughout her career, Lauren has led and supported high-impact fundraising initiatives, including major events, multi-channel giving campaigns, grant development, and donor stewardship programs. She has raised more than $1.2M through campaigns and events, achieved exceptional donor renewal rates, expanded donor bases by hundreds of supporters, and cultivated meaningful corporate and community partnerships. Known for balancing data-informed strategy with compelling storytelling, Lauren excels at creating systems that improve CRM accuracy, volunteer engagement, compliance, and donor experience—ensuring long-term organizational sustainability.
Lauren leads with empathy, collaboration, and a deep belief that philanthropy is about relationships, not transactions. In her day-to-day work, she connects donors directly to mission impact, engages clients in program experiences, and builds partnerships that foster shared ownership of outcomes. A recent highlight includes securing a collaboration with Little Words to create “Recovery” bracelets symbolizing hope and healing for individuals overcoming addiction. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Averett University and is an active participant in the Leadership Louisville Ignite program. Outside of work, Lauren enjoys teaching cycling classes, reading, painting, hiking, and supporting causes such as veteran services, the Humane Society, and the Special Olympics.
• Pediatric First Aid, CPR and AED
• Averett University - B.B.A.
• Leadership Louisville
• Leadership Louisville Ignite Program
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to be brave, take thoughtful risks, and remain committed to continuous learning. Seek out mentors, learn from those around you, and stay open to new perspectives and opportunities. Confidence grows through action, and every experience—whether challenging or rewarding—contributes to your professional growth.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The nonprofit sector is facing both significant challenges and meaningful opportunities. Ongoing economic uncertainty, increased demand for services, and limited resources continue to strain organizations. At the same time, these challenges highlight a powerful opportunity to strengthen community engagement, collaboration, and collective impact. Now more than ever, individuals and organizations must support one another, build strong partnerships, and foster a sense of shared responsibility to navigate difficult times and create lasting, positive change.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are honesty, open communication, kindness, and active listening. These principles guide how I build relationships, collaborate with others, and navigate challenges. By leading with integrity and empathy, I strive to create trust, foster meaningful connections, and contribute positively to the people and communities around me.