Meet Angela Ciminello: The Story Behind Cimi Consulting

Angela Ciminello is a strategic fundraising and communications executive with nearly three decades of experience helping nonprofit organizations strengthen communities, elevate visibility, deepen donor engagement, and exceed revenue goals.

As Founder and President of Cimi Consulting, Angela partners with mission-driven organizations to provide fractional development leadership, fundraising strategy, communications, board development, campaign planning, donor stewardship, corporate partnerships, and creative storytelling. Her work spans healthcare, higher education access, homelessness, domestic violence prevention, aging services, arts and culture, youth development, and community-based organizations.

Angela’s approach blends strategic thinking with highly creative execution. She is known for stepping into organizations during periods of transition or growth and creating immediate momentum while building long-term infrastructure for sustainable success.

Throughout her career, Angela has consistently transformed fundraising and communications programs through innovative donor engagement, compelling storytelling, and relationship-centered leadership.

At Volunteers of America-Greater New York, she increased annual fundraising by 31%, growing revenue from $2 million to $2.67 million in one fiscal year while leading a record-breaking gala that raised more than $1.2 million — the highest in the organization’s history. She also spearheaded a dramatic expansion of Operation Backpack, increasing support for homeless children by 107% and securing the organization’s first-ever $250,000 signature sponsorship.

Prior to that, as Vice President of Development and Marketing at Wartburg, Angela led transformative fundraising, marketing, and communications initiatives for one of the region’s leading senior care organizations. During her tenure, she secured the largest private foundation grant in Wartburg’s history, increased foundation giving by 335%, and helped position Wartburg nationally as a leader in Creative Aging, Lifelong Learning, Music Therapy, rehabilitation, and integrated senior care.

Angela’s leadership at Wartburg extended beyond traditional fundraising. She conceptualized and secured funding for innovative programs supporting older adults living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, including the nationally recognized “One Heart, One Voice” choir program — one of the few intergenerational choirs in the country for individuals living with Alzheimer’s and their loved ones. The program culminated in powerful community concerts celebrating connection, dignity, and healing.

One Heart, One Voice Choir Performance
One Heart, One Voice Choir Concert

She also secured funding and led partnerships for a groundbreaking therapeutic clay program for residents living with Alzheimer’s disease. The initiative culminated in the creation and public dedication of a resident-designed mosaic bench known as “Go With the Flow,” unveiled during Wartburg’s annual Fall Festival community celebration.

Go With the Flow Mosaic Bench Project

Angela was deeply involved in shaping Wartburg’s nationally recognized Creative Aging programming and storytelling initiatives. She led and secured funding for the PBS documentary feature on Wartburg’s internationally recognized Creative Aging & Lifelong Learning program, which later earned two Telly Awards for excellence in documentary storytelling.

PBS Visionaries Documentary – Creative Aging & Lifelong Learning

Her work also included overseeing campus filming operations, coordinating external film crews, and managing production logistics for marketing and storytelling initiatives across the organization. She directed and managed video production efforts supporting fundraising, public relations, branding, and community engagement initiatives.

Angela additionally managed filming and editing logistics for Wartburg’s state-of-the-art rehabilitation center campaign video and personally provided the voice-over narration for the project, which received a 2018 Telly Award for excellence in media production.

Wartburg Rehabilitation Center Campaign Video

Her communications expertise extends into journalism, thought leadership, and health education. Angela authored multiple articles for Westchester Senior Voice focused on healthy aging, wellness, caregiving, rehabilitation, and quality of life for older adults.

Better Aging Article
Turmeric & Better Health Article
Father & Son Rehabilitation Story

Her ability to connect storytelling directly to philanthropy is one of her defining strengths. During Wartburg’s 2019 Jazz in June event, Angela delivered a moving speech highlighting the importance of supporting Alzheimer’s and memory care programs, helping launch the evening’s live fundraising appeal.

2019 Jazz in June Speech

Angela has also secured funding for innovative rehabilitation initiatives, including a “real life” rehabilitation training vehicle designed to help patients regain independence through experiential therapy.

Wartburg Rehabilitation Car Initiative

Her leadership and impact have been recognized throughout the region. In 2016, Angela was named one of Westchester’s leading nonprofit executives by 914INC. in its Women in Business feature.

914INC Women in Business Recognition

Angela is also a frequent public speaker and mentor. She delivered a keynote address at an Iona University mentoring event, speaking to students and emerging leaders about leadership, perseverance, communications, and professional growth.

Iona College Keynote Address

Today, through Cimi Consulting, Angela continues to help nonprofits transform fundraising, communications, and community engagement through strategic leadership, creative storytelling, and mission-centered growth.

Her philosophy is simple:
Strong nonprofits strengthen communities.

And when organizations communicate their impact with authenticity, vision, and purpose, transformational support follows.