2026 Virginia Fund Raising Institute

Kayla Smith is a nonprofit leader with a passion for community engagement, fundraising strategy, and donor relations in the Richmond region. As Senior Manager of Corporate Relations of Ronald McDonald House of Richmond, she leads initiatives that connect corporate partners with mission aligned engagement. With a strong background in fundraising and donor relations, Kayla has led strategies generating significant annual giving revenue, executed high-impact engagement and fundraising events, and managed communications that deepen donor relationships. In her previous role at Better Housing Coalition, Kayla directed Better Housing Coalition's Young Professionals Board, guiding their fundraising, volunteerism, and advocacy efforts to align with broader organizational priorities.  She also brings experience launching and advising how to strategically introduce a young professionals or associate board, having spearheaded the creation of CARITAS’ inaugural Junior Board. Kayla believes young professionals boards can be a meaningful pipeline for emerging leaders while expanding community engagement and philanthropic support for organizations. Beyond her professional role, Kayla is actively involved in the nonprofit sector as a Board Member of the Greater Virginia Women’s Affordable Housing Network and the Association of Fundraising Professionals Central Virginia Chapter. She is also a recent graduate of the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond's Emerging Nonprofit Leadership Program. Kayla holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Randolph-Macon College with a minor in Psychology. She brings a practical, results-oriented perspective to her work and is passionate about helping organizations introduce the next generation of philanthropists and advocates to their mission in a meaningful way.