Daniel “Patrick” Powell, MBA, CFRE
Senior Development Officer
Major & Legacy Gifts
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation
Patrick is the proud father of three daughters, Bella (11), Remi (9), and Nico (7). He’s a self-proclaimed #GirlDad and committed husband of Tiffany Nichols Powell, Spelman Alumna, class of ‘99. He grew up just outside of Pittsburgh, PA, and earned his undergraduate degree in journalism while playing football at the University of Akron in Ohio, just a short drive away. He later earned his MBA at the University of Tennessee (UT) in Knoxville, where he also began his fundraising career.
Patrick served as the Director of Development for the College of Communication and Information at UT for many years before accepting a promotion as the Regional Development Officer in Atlanta. His experience at Tennessee prepared him well for his next opportunity at Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM). He served as the Assistant Vice President for Donor Philanthropy and Volunteer Engagement for nearly three years before accepting his current role with Children’s.
If you ask him, he will tell you that this is the most important work he’ll ever do. Patrick is not just an employee of Children’s; he’s also a grateful parent. Patrick’s youngest daughters share a rare medical condition and are patients at CHOA. That provides him with a special connection to the patients and families that come to Children’s for care.
When he’s not fundraising or spending time with his family, he is easy to find. You can catch him in downtown Atlanta flying the friendly skies, capturing photos and videos of the iconic skyline and public parks. That’s his passion, and he often posts those images on Instagram and LinkedIn.
On August 31, 2021, Patrick will celebrate his one-year anniversary working with the CHOA Foundation. He hopes to celebrate many more.
How did you get interested in the fundraising profession?
After spending more than a decade in corporate America, I felt it was time for a change. I had a very successful sales career but thought the traditional business model was broken. I was spending a lot of my time chasing new business. I believed we should have been more focused on the amazing customers/clients we had. Unfortunately, that wasn’t a widely held opinion. So, I consulted a good friend working in higher education, and he ultimately introduced me to major gift fundraising. Thank you, Tierney.
I was drawn to the concept immediately; it was exactly what I was looking for, but I couldn’t wrap my head around the process. That was in 2007. It took another five years for me to be introduced properly to development work.
Doug Minter, a fraternity brother of mine, introduced me to Tyvi Small. Tyvi was the catalyst, introducing me to several key players at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. That was the beginning of my journey. Here we are, almost nine years later, and I’m proud to say that I’ve worked with hundreds of donors who’ve committed their hard-earned dollars to three deserving institutions.
What is something you wish you had known early in your fundraising career?
Don’t chase the gift; chase the relationship. Focus on building an authentic connection with individuals who are passionate about your organization.
What is the one quality every fundraiser should have?
There are two: First, preparation. Study your donor and understand your organization. Second, be an active listener. Listen attentively to what your donor wants to say. They will provide you with clues that will hopefully lead you to their philanthropic passion.
What inspires you about the fundraising profession?
I’m inspired by the individual donor stories and the unique history behind almost every meaningful gift. More importantly, I’m inspired by what those gifts can do to help people.
How do you want to be remembered as a professional?
This is an easy one. “He was a valuable member of our organization, and his work helped a lot of people.”