TFS has helped set the standard throughout the industry for creative and effective ways to respond to the evolving challenges of small, mid-sized, and large nonprofits. Offering decades of experience in every aspect of nonprofit management and fundraising, we believe the best service to our clients starts with strong individuals who have the qualities, experience, and passion needed to get the job done...right.
The TFS Leadership Team includes:
Laura Scala
Co-Founder/Principal
Laura began her fundraising career in 1991, working with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra in many development capacities, culminating with her appointment as Assistant Director of Development in 1996. Since then, she has enjoyed a successful career holding senior development positions including: Director of Development for Syracuse Opera, Director of Corporate, Foundation, and Government Relations for Syracuse Stage, Director of Development for the Arts Council in Buffalo and Erie County, and Director of Development for the University at Buffalo, Center for the Arts. Laura co-founded TFS in 2010. As an employee and consultant, Laura has worked with every type of organization within the nonprofit sector. Specific responsibilities throughout her career include the creation and coordination of annual fund, membership, telefunding, planned giving, marketing, public relations, and capital campaigns. In addition, she has developed and implemented special events, board, staff and volunteer efforts, stewardship programs, targeted grant research and writing, strategic planning, and effective budgeting practices. Laura studied Psychology at Syracuse University. She has served on many boards and as a volunteer for numerous nonprofits.
Becky Powell, Esq.
Co-Founder
Becky co-founded TFS with decades of fundraising experience. Her career tenure includes development positions at the Museum of Modern Art, World Monuments Fund, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Burchfield Penney Art Center. She also spent seven-years as Director of Development and general counsel for the SPCA serving Erie County. Becky’s responsibilities throughout her long fundraising career include developing, overseeing, and implementing strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of unrestricted and restricted gifts to annual funds, endowment funds, and for capital projects. Becky earned a BA in art history from Georgia State University and a law degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
TFS has an impressive group of Associates whose professional specialties perfectly compliment the experience of the TFS Leadership Team. While TFS works with many professionals, our Lead Associates include:
Ted Pietrzak, Lead Associate - Ted owns a consulting firm and has over 30 years of experience working in directorial positions with unique brands, cultural institutions, and nonprofit organizations. This experience has developed Ted’s keen perspectives on organizational effectiveness and building teams around common goals. From a capital campaign that raised over 36 million dollars to the planning and opening of an 84,000-square-foot, award winning art museum building—Ted's efforts have helped the organizations he works with to grow and create profound impacts on their communities. His involvements include leadership roles in the arts, education, healthcare, government, economic development, tourism, and community building.
Herbert H. Schmidt III, Lead Associate - Herb owns a consulting firm and is a mission-driven professional who works to promote, educate, and sell the nonprofit cause by building capacity for not-for-profit organizations. For over 20 years in the field, Herb has successfully organized and connected stakeholders and community advocates, and recruited and motivated staff and volunteers in order to develop nonprofits into more dynamic and sustainable organizations. Herb's nonprofit career leadership includes work with many types of organizations: youth services, government/nonprofit relations, hospital foundation, cultural organizations, small business start-ups, and museums.
TFS and our Associates provide reciprocating services and support, creating effective and collaborative partnerships.