”The Life of a Certified Fund-Raising Executive” with Keegan Bell

On this episode of Orange County Power Players, host Danny Flores sits down with Keegan Bell, a Certified Fund-Raising Executive and Executive Vice President of the Irvine Public Schools Foundation. With over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, Keegan shares his journey into philanthropy, the challenges of fundraising, and how education foundations like IPSF play a crucial role in supporting public schools.

Keegan discusses the misconceptions around school funding, the importance of nonprofit sustainability, and how individuals can get involved—whether as volunteers, donors, or career professionals in the nonprofit sector. He also shares insights on navigating economic shifts in fundraising and what the future holds for philanthropy in 2025.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Keegan transitioned from advertising to nonprofit leadership
• The biggest myths about public school funding in California
• Why diversifying funding sources is key for nonprofit success
• How economic trends impact fundraising efforts
• Ways to get involved in the nonprofit sector, either as a career or volunteer

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest