About Kathy Arney
Kathy Arney is a match-maker, a thinking-partner, and a trusted part of your planned giving support team. She knows gift-giving has two sides; that a donor’s passion must align with a charity’s mission in order to maximize impact. She’s helped countless donors, charities, and their financial and legal advisors connect and structure gifts that support both the donor and the charity in achieving their goals.
As a philanthropic advisor and CPA, Kathy understands the needs of the charitable sector and speaks the language of financial advisors. She has dedicated her career to helping non-profit and charitable organizations grow capacity and improve results. She has held executive leadership roles in finance and fundraising at major institutions, including Queen’s University, UBC Okanagan, Carleton University, and Banff Centre. She has a commerce degree from Queen’s University in Kingston, and obtained her CPA designation in 1990 and her MFA-P (Master Financial Advisor – Philanthropy) in 2021.
In 2013, Kathy founded KEA Canada to help build stronger, more effective non-profit organizations, and contribute to a better world by nurturing generosity and philanthropy. Since then, she has consulted with universities and colleges, arts organizations, community organizations, and the health sector. Now, she’s turning her attention to strategic philanthropy.
An expert in fund development, capacity-building, campaigns, strategy, and operations, Kathy provides services in a variety of areas, including resource development, capacity-building, strategic planning, board development, campaign planning and management, coaching, and services for families and organizations looking for strategic philanthropy advice.
Kathy is an active member of her community, and volunteers as a Board Member for the Canmore Rotary Club Charitable Foundation. When she’s not working, you can find her singing with the Bow Valley Chorus or with the Castle Carollers quartet, or enjoying the outdoors in the beautiful Bow Valley and Columbia Valley.
Typical Clients
With over 20 years of experience in the philanthropic sector and a career in finance and fundraising, Kathy uses her expertise to guide donors, charities, and their financial and legal advisors through the process of planned giving. She loves helping people uncover their passions, values, and priorities to plan their gift-giving strategies and maximize their impact. Whether you have a relationship with a charity or are looking to create one, Kathy can connect you to the causes and communities you care about. She can negotiate on your behalf, and suggest ways to protect your identity and help you decide when and how to go public with your support.