About Dawn Franks

Steady, thoughtful, and deeply grounded

Why leaders trust my guidance

I’ve walked this path myself.
Decades of leading nonprofits.
Decades of guiding foundations and philanthropists.
I understand the pressures, expectations, and realities from every angle.

I know what turns you should take.
When the path feels unclear, leaders don’t need more noise. They need an experienced viewpoint and a trusted guide who’s been there before. My role is to help you regain clarity, make thoughtful decisions, and move forward with confidence.
I understand donors and why that matters.

I understand the donor mindset and how it shapes giving decisions.
That perspective helps leaders build authentic relationships, communicate with confidence, and make strategic choices that strengthen trust over time.

Dawn’s career of walking with leaders

Dawn Franks Strategic Solutions blends nonprofit and philanthropic expertise, bringing a deep understanding of funding from both perspectives. Over decades of nonprofit leadership and philanthropic advising, Dawn has guided nonprofits, advised foundations and individual philanthropists, and walked with leaders through complex and uncertain seasons.

At the Fourth Partner Foundation, Dawn strengthened nonprofit leadership and improved grantmaking outcomes. She has guided families in managing private foundations, working through generational values and family dynamics with both sensitivity and logic. As founder of Your Philanthropy, LLC, she supported foundations and individual donors through strategic giving and legacy planning.

Shortly after earning her college degree, Dawn founded a crisis hotline and shelter for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault—an experience that marked the beginning of her lifelong commitment to nonprofit service. She later served as CEO of the East Texas Crisis Center and became the first female CEO of the local United Way, expanding services, achieving record fundraising, and helping launch community programs such as the Texas 211 Information Line. She also co-founded what became the Children’s Advocacy Center of Smith County.

As principal of Dawn Franks Strategic Solutions, Dawn continues to help clients craft meaningful legacies with trusted guidance. She holds a certification as a leadership and executive coach. These accomplishments along with Dawn’s Awards and client list, can be found below here.

Kristen Seeber shares how Dawn helped her prepare to step into new leadership responsibilities at Hospice of East Texas, offering perspective, encouragement, and practical guidance during an important season of transition.

Kristen Seeber

In my own words

It’s always a bit daunting to describe how others feel about me. That’s why I’ve sprinkled client video testimonials across my site and included written testimonials from an international nonprofit client in Kenya.

Clients often describe me as steady, thoughtful, and deeply grounded. I work to bring clarity to complex conversations and walk alongside leaders without judgment or urgency, creating space for honest reflection and sound decision-making. My approach is calm and respectful, shaped by a genuine understanding of the responsibility leaders carry.

I truly love what I do. I feel called to be a part of the mission to help others help other people. Here’s what I strive to bring to the table:

Broad experience, bold impact
With a career spanning diverse sectors nationwide, I’ve led nonprofits to ambitious goals and advised philanthropists who want their giving to create lasting, meaningful change.

Aligning visions for lasting change
My experience bridges big-hearted funders and mission-driven nonprofits, creating alignment that transforms generosity into real and lasting impact.

Flexible ways to connect
I meet clients wherever the conversation needs to happen — often in person, especially when working through sensitive issues, but always with the flexibility to connect virtually when needed.

From East Texas to Kenya

Strengthening nonprofit leadership and connecting generous donors with organizations serving children around the world.

Dawn Franks’ work begins in East Texas, but the principles that guide her consulting often extend far beyond it. Through her practice, she helps nonprofit leaders strengthen governance and organizational clarity while also helping donors connect with organizations whose missions reflect their deepest values.

Two examples from Kenya illustrate how this work can take different forms while serving the same purpose. Both involve American nonprofit organizations working internationally to improve the lives of children in Kenya—one focused on children with disabilities and the other on expanding access to education.

With Kupenda for the Children, Dawn worked directly with the organization’s board and leadership team to strengthen governance and board leadership. Kupenda—meaning “love” in Kiswahili—is dedicated to transforming harmful beliefs and practices surrounding disability so that children can live healthy, valued, and fully included lives. Working with families, faith communities, and local leaders in Kenya, the organization equips communities to create cultures of acceptance and opportunity for children of all abilities.

In a separate effort, Dawn helped connect the Kijabe Children’s Education Fund (KCEF) with the Walsh Trust, a philanthropic family foundation seeking to support children internationally. KCEF expands educational opportunities for children in rural Kenya and the slums of Nairobi through feeding programs, school sponsorships, and other support that helps students thrive in body, mind, and spirit.

Though these efforts took different forms—strengthening nonprofit leadership in one case and connecting philanthropy with mission in another—both reflect the same purpose: helping people and organizations align leadership, resources, and vision to better serve children in need.

Jessica Abrams

Development Director, Kupenda for the Children

“By the end of the day, I left with documented action plans and commitments from every board member — something I had not achieved in more than ten years working with this board.”

Jessica describes Dawn’s board training as participatory, thoughtful, and deeply practical. Rather than pressuring board members to fundraise, Dawn helped them discover authentic ways to serve as ambassadors, connectors, stewards, advocates, hosts, or witnesses alongside the development team. The result was renewed confidence, collaboration, and immediate momentum after the training.

Jennifer Jukanovich

Executive Director, Kijabe Children’s Education Fund (KCEF)

“Your offer to ask good questions and serve as a sounding board for me means a great deal. Your and Tammy’s experience as nonprofit executive directors was deeply encouraging because you truly understand the work it takes to lead well.”

Jennifer shared this reflection after meeting with Dawn and Tammy while stepping into leadership at KCEF during a major transition. Dawn helped provide perspective on succession, board development, and long-term sustainability while encouraging Jennifer as she prepared to steward the legacy of the organization’s founding leadership. The conversation affirmed Jennifer’s vision for strengthening partnerships in Kenya while building a sustainable future for the organization.

Cynthia Bauer

Founder & Director, Kupenda for the Children

“Board members felt encouraged, challenged, and equipped, and there is genuine excitement about putting what they learned into practice as we move forward.”

Cynthia shared this reflection after Dawn traveled to Maryland to facilitate a board training for Kupenda for the Children. Through thoughtful guidance and practical insight, Dawn helped strengthen the board’s confidence and alignment during an important season for the organization. Board members left energized and ready to apply what they learned, and Dawn’s presence—both during the training and in time spent connecting with the broader community—reinforced a spirit of partnership and shared purpose.

Leah Battillo

Kupenda for the Children, Board Member

“Board members shared that the training was a valuable use of their time and that they left feeling more confident and equipped in the unique roles Dawn helped define.”

Leah shared this reflection after participating in Dawn’s board training for Kupenda. Through practical exercises and thoughtful facilitation, Dawn helped board members expand their understanding of fundraising beyond simply making financial asks. The training introduced new ways to think about donor relationships, clarified how each board member could contribute to outreach, and created a shared language for strengthening collaboration between board and staff.

Trusted by nonprofits, foundations, and philanthropic leaders

Select Non-Profit Clients

Shine
East Texas Crisis Center
NET Health
Starbrite Therapeutic Equestrian Center
Smith County Behavioral Health Leadership Team
Kourage Health
Americans for Ibogaine
East Texas Restaurant Association
Womenary
Medical Institute for Sexual Health

Private Foundations

Chrest Foundation
DeBoer Foundation
McQuire Family Foundation
First Fruit
DEW Foundation
Ben & Maytee Fisch Foundation
Anderson-Vukelja Foundation
Gloria Dei Foundation
Owen Family Foundation

Select Awards

UTT Distinguished Alumna 2014
Leadership Tyler Distinguished Alumna 2009
Women in Tyler Honoree – Women Who Do Amazing Things – 2013
Entrepreneur of the Year – Women Entrepreneurs Conference – 2016

Certifications

The Effective Facilitator – Leadership Strategies 2004
Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP)
Conference of Foundations Essential Skills certified trainer 2008
21/64-Bronfman Philanthropies – certified consultant to multi-generational families
Center for High Impact Philanthropy – Certificate in High Impact Philanthropy at the School of Social Policy and Practice – University of PN 2025
Certified Success Coach, Symbiosis Coaching (USA), 2025

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