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Management Team

Brian Raiche, CFRE
President & Senior Principal

Brian Raiche began his work in fundraising and development as an undergraduate at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute assisting the development office with prospect research. Before establishing Cornerstone Fundraising, LLC, Brian was Senior Vice-President of Trinity Fund Raising Consultants. His expertise is in designing and directing multi-million dollar capital campaigns, major gifts programs, endowment campaigns, planning studies, and increased revenue appeals. Brian has been instrumental in establishing Cornerstone Fundraising, LLC as a leading Catholic development firm in the Archdiocese of Boston and New England.

  • Securing numerous major gifts ranging from $100,000- $1,000,000.
  • Establishing capital campaign committees with both lay leaders and notable public figures including former First Lady Ann Romney of Massachusetts.
  • Personally conducting over 30 Increased Offertory Appeals for the Archdiocese of Boston in the last three years.

Mary Schaefer
Senior Principal

Mary Schaefer is a strategist, fundraiser and marketer who has served in multiple leadership and development roles in academia, business, church and non-profit organizations. She guides nonprofits leaders in crafting their case and tailoring their approaches to raise money, promote their causes and enlist their supporters. She spent 12 years at MIT, most recently as Founding Executive Director of the MIT Leadership Center where she engaged faculty, leaders and donors in building, funding and promoting the center worldwide. Mary joined Cornerstone Fundraising in 2010 and has served as campaign consultant for St. Cecilia Parish (Boston), Montrose School (Medfield), and CatholicTV (Boston).

Donald Dowdell
Senior Principal

Don Dowdell brings to the firm a rich background in nonprofit management, program development, fund development, and campaigning. Don has successfully managed over thirty parish campaign programs. Before joining Cornerstone Fundraising, Don served as a lead campaign director for the Increased Offertory Program for the Diocese of Brooklyn conducted by Trinity Consultants and Changing Our World. Don brings extensive experience directing Increased Offertory Programs to the IFRM initiative.