Meet Naimah

Naimah Bilal is a seasoned fundraising and business development executive with a 17-year track record. As a Chief Development Officer and consultant, Naimah has crafted and guided revenue generation strategies for diverse organizations spanning various sectors. In 2023, Naimah earned an Emmy® Award, for her contributions to television journalism as executive producer of the PBS Series "Urban Consulate Presents".

As a thought leader in philanthropy, Naimah is a published author and sought-after speaker at prestigious organizations like the Chronicle of Philanthropy and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Naimah draws inspiration from her prior career as an orchestral violinist and artistic director, bringing creativity and innovation to leadership, fund development, and strategic communications.

Beyond her professional achievements, Naimah is a community leader, and Host emeritus of Urban Consulate Cincinnati (UCC), a platform for urban exchange and dialogue centering conversations on equity and dismantling systems of oppression. She and the UCC team curated and facilitated 50+ conversations and dialogues over three years. Currently a Ph.D. student at Miami University Oxford, Naimah's research blends educational leadership, philanthropy, critical theory, and Black women's activism. She is co-authoring a book about philanthropy in America to be released in 2024.

Naimah lives with her partner, two children, and furry baby in Cincinnati, OH. 

How do you intend to use the funds?

I'm deeply honored to be among the recipients of the Birgit Smith Burton RISE Fund award. This award holds special significance for me as it pays tribute to Birgit Smith Burton, a mentor for me and countless Black fund raisers, and a remarkable champion for justice, equity, and belonging in our field.

The generous awarded funds will support two professional pursuits. Firstly, I will renew my CFRE certification, ensuring that I continue to uphold the highest standards of ethical fundraising. Secondly, I'll will apply funds to a graduate level qualitative research course to enhance my writing and research expertise for my upcoming book on fundraising strategy. 

I am deeply thankful to Kishshana Palmer and the Rooted Collaborative for being a source of community, joy, and purposeful learning in the fundraising field. Your support, wisdom, and mentorship have been invaluable to me and countless others.

This award encourages me to model what has been modeled to me by Birgit and Kishshana, the members of AADO and the Rooted Collaborative and so many incredible leaders in this space. Your exemplary leadership is one I aspire to emulate.