About Us

Melanie Brandston

Melanie has been in development for more than 25 years as a development executive and consultant. Her experience ranges from building major gifts programs to managing capital campaigns for emerging institutions and organizations. Her current and recent Brakeley Briscoe clients include American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR, NY, NY); Bethel Woods Center for the Arts (Bethel, NY); Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (Columbus, OH); Consumers Union (Yonkers, NY); George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film (Rochester, NY); King's College (Wilkes-Barre, PA); Marvelwood School (Kent, CT); Moravian College (Bethlehem, PA); Norwalk Community College Foundation (Norwalk, CT); Northeast Pennsylvania Medical Education Consortium (Scranton, PA); St. John's High School (Shrewsbury, MA); Tatnall School (Wilmington, DE); Virginia Capitol Preservation Foundation (Richmond, VA); and Visiting Nurse Service of New York (New York, NY).

Melanie started in development with her alma mater, Colgate University, in Hamilton, New York where she served in annual and reunion giving positions. She moved to New York City in 1982 and headed the first capital campaign of the Lighting Research and Education Fund (Illuminating Engineering Society).

From 1986 to 1993, Melanie was a member of the Brakeley staff, rising to the position of Vice President. She co-directed a $25 million campaign for the American Lung Association's national headquarters in New York City; directed an $11.3 million campaign for the Salvation Army of Greater New York; co-directed a campaign for the YWCA of White Plains and Central Westchester; and participated in numerous campaign planning studies. In 1992 she was named Brakeley Executive of the Year.

In 1994, Melanie became Director of Development for Literacy Volunteers of New York City where she implemented their first annual and major gifts program. This was followed by planning the first development program for the American Health Foundation. Melanie moved into international fundraising when she became Director of Major Gifts for ORBIS International in 1997 (headquarters in New York City) and the Director of Development/Americas in 2000. She returned to Brakeley Briscoe in 2003.

Melanie has been an active member in AFP/NY since 1985, including earning her CFRE status that same year and speaking at Fundraising Day in New York in 1995 and 2005. She was one of the earliest members of Women in Development/NY (1987) and a member of the WID Board of Directors from 1995-1999.

Presently, Melanie is a director of the Jerome and Marlene Brody Foundation. She serves on Colgate's Planned Giving Committee.

Melanie earned her B.A. in Economics at Colgate University in 1980. After living in Manhattan for over twenty years, Melanie and her husband now reside in Hollowville, New York.