Rhonda Abrams Creates Lasting Impact

Some people collect stamps. Rhonda Abrams collects meaningful connections and turns them into ripples of change that touch lives, transform communities, and inspire generosity.

Over 15 years in nonprofit development, she helped organizations raise more than $10 million, built relationships that span decades, and earned a reputation for creative, engagement-driven fundraising. Then she made a bold pivot: leaving the world of asking for money to focus on helping people give it away — strategically, efficiently, and with purpose.

Today, as the founder of Legacy Impact Group, Rhonda helps individuals and small to mid-sized family foundations move resources where they can make the greatest impact. Her work is part strategist, part matchmaker, and part coach, driven by her belief that philanthropy is most powerful when it’s personal.

The Spark for Change

Two moments shaped Rhonda’s shift.

While running development at Mishkan Chicago, she introduced a donor to a non-profit leader tackling food insecurity. That introduction led to a major gift for that organization and a reminder that generosity flows more freely when you focus on connecting people to causes rather than guarding resources.

Later, a donor-turned-friend with a private foundation shared her family’s biggest struggle: They needed someone to serve as an extension of their family in the community, helping to oversee their giving and manage operations. “Someone like you,” the friend said. That turned into Rhonda’s first client, opening the door to the consulting practice she leads today.

Guiding Generations

Much of Rhonda’s work is in multi-generational philanthropy, a place where vision and values sometimes clash. Older generations often want the younger members to step in quickly and follow tradition. Younger donors are eager to give differently, guided by empathy, equity, and collaboration.

As a certified 21/64 Advisor and Slingshot Fellow, Rhonda bridges that gap. She helps families focus their giving, align on shared values, and move money into the community faster without losing sight of the legacy they’ve built.

No Agenda but Yours

Rhonda’s style is refreshingly free of ego. Whether she’s refining systems, researching nonprofits that match a family member’s passion, or helping a board sharpen its vision, her only agenda is her clients’ success. She moves comfortably between Jewish and non-Jewish philanthropy, bringing cultural fluency and a deep understanding of how values shape giving.

She also sits on the other side of the table, serving as a donor and lay leader on three non-profit boards: Lawndale Christian Legal Center (LCLC), Jewish Council on Urban Affairs (JCUA), and Friends of Moos Elementary. It’s important to Rhonda that she remains an active part of the community in her personal life, which continues to inform her professional expertise.

Humor, Humanity and Hustle

Rhonda is smart, quick to laugh (and make you laugh), and never far from a good meal or a passport stamp. She and her husband are busy raising identical twin girls (which she says has honed her ability to negotiate peace treaties in record time). In work and in life, she blends strategic rigor with a personal warmth that makes her both a trusted advisor and steadfast ally.

Focused, funny, and fiercely committed, Rhonda Abrams proves that philanthropy isn’t just about writing checks, it’s about writing a better story for the world, one meaningful connection at a time.

To learn more about her services visit her website: https://legacyimpactgrp.com/

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I help nonprofits raise more money through education, coaching, and strategic planning. If your organization is ready to strengthen its fundraising strategy, create board advocates, or develop a comprehensive legacy giving program, I'd love to discuss how we can work together.