ABOUT MOMENTUM

Supporting Nonprofits to Maximize Impact

Amanda Garry Aliperta is the Founder and Principal of Momentum Nonprofit Strategies. Nearly 15 years ago, Amanda began her career in Milwaukee’s nonprofit sector, honing skills in donor relations, development strategy, board engagement, corporate and foundation relations, grant writing, and event management. Since launching Momentum in 2020, she has helped her clients raise millions of dollars, including more than $1 million through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Amanda most recently worked for Safe & Sound, first as Institutional Support Manager, managing a portfolio of public and private funders and writing grants, and later promoted to Development Director, overseeing her department’s expansion and leading the organization’s development strategy. During her tenure, the organization shifted its revenue model from approximately 85% government/ 15% private to 60% government/ 40% private through targeted private fundraising efforts.

Prior to Safe & Sound, Amanda spent time with Vivent Health (formerly ARCW),

UPAF, and Marquette University in University Advancement, where she revived

the dormant Founders Society recognizing donors whose lifetime giving surpassed $1 million and orchestrated customized donor events and experiences for major gift prospects that contributed to individual gifts of up to $400k.

Amanda firmly believes in the nonprofit sector’s ability to tackle deep systemic problems to improve communities. She was first exposed to the nonprofit sector’s potential as a child in her hometown of Sioux Falls, SD, where she watched her father volunteer to serve on boards of directors and chair fundraising campaigns for a variety of organizations that went on to change the lives of those they served.

Amanda earned Bachelor of Arts degrees from Marquette University in Theatre and Communication Studies. She lives in Whitefish Bay, WI, with her husband and their two young children.

Jackie Avial is a seasoned writer, researcher and editor who specializes in nonprofit communications. In the past six years, she has helped develop, execute and lead comprehensive marketing and fundraising communications strategies for an institution of higher education and a community foundation in Milwaukee. She continues to engage in professional development, earning a Nonprofit Management certificate from Alverno College and a Grant Writing Skills certificate from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

A journalist at heart, Jackie began her career as The New York Times' inaugural David E. Rosenbaum reporting fellow and went on to serve as reporter, editor and deputy bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal's Pro Bankruptcy team for nearly a decade. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and political science from Marquette University and is proud to give back to her alma mater as a longtime mentor for Marquette's alumni mentoring program.