About Michelle Whiting
Michelle launched Michelle Whiting & Associates (MW&A) after ten years of working in program, administrative, and development positions at nonprofits throughout Southern California. Michelle began her career as a case-worker at Skid Row Mental Health Center in the infamous region of Downtown Los Angeles where eventually Michelle established the first development department for the organization.
In 1989, the James Irvine Foundation paid her salary to launch a similar program for the Orange County Mental Health Association. Over the two-year contract position, Michelle established the organization’s first development plan: the revenue increased by 38% and the development plan became a blueprint for fundraising for homeless programs throughout Southern California.
Subsequently, the Weingart Foundation funded Michelle’s role as Vice President of Development for the Blind Children’s Learning Center to act as a “turn-around specialist.” After three and a half years of unprecedented fundraising success, Michelle opened MW&A.
Today, MW&A works with some of the largest and most prestigious organizations in the US and UK including the Joffrey Ballet, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Girls Incorporated, THINK Together, The Diana Princess of Wales Fund, Common Threads, American Friends of the Tate Britain, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and the Fulfillment Fund. Michelle has a dual BA degree in English and Social Work from California State University Long Beach.