Scott Bucko

Scott Bucko is a Managing Consultant for American Philanthropic, a consulting firm whose mission is to strengthen civil society by improving the effectiveness of charitable foundations and nonprofit organizations. 

Prior to joining American Philanthropic, he provided institutional leadership as the director of mission advancement for the Newman Center at the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University. He consulted numerous organizations with mission advancement and fundraising in his role at the Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia while also assisting with back office support and major gift strategy for the annual $10 million Catholic Charities Appeal and the annual $3 million St. Charles Borromeo Seminary Appeal. He was proud to be a capital campaign director for CCS Fundraising and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia during its historic $200 million capital and endowment campaign completed in 2010. 

He leverages this varied experience to assist nonprofit leaders to cultivate health in their organizations and to think boldly and wisely in their strategic planning and decision making. He provides counsel in organizational audits, major gifts, capital campaigns, annual appeals, and marketing and communications, always seeking to help his clients to be worthy of philanthropic support.

Scott is always learning and growing, but along the way he has earned a M.Ed. in educational leadership from the University of Virginia, an M.A. in Christian studies from Regent College at the University of British Columbia, and a B.S. in agricultural and applied economics from Virginia Tech. 

He lives with his wife and children in Philadelphia.

feasibility study, campaign
To campaign or not to campaign? That is the question.

Whether or not to undertake a capital campaign—and the size of that campaign—is not small question. Here’s how to prepare.

Scott Bucko / 4 min read
Grit
Capital campaigns require grit . . . does your organization have it?

Preparing for a capital campaign is a “grit-check” for your organization. Does your organization have what it takes to be successful?

Scott Bucko / 4 min read
Don’t underestimate the value of a feasibility study

A capital campaign requires lots of time, resources, and hard work—and a successful one begins with due diligence on the front end.

Scott Bucko / 2 min read
gift charting for philanthropy and fundraising
How to build and use a gift chart for fundraising strategy

Success in fundraising depends upon setting realistic goals and crafting an actionable strategy. A gift chart can guide you through setting the goals and putting a strategy into action. Here’s how to build one.

Scott Bucko / 4 min read
church mission money parish fundraising
Mission, money, and our moment

Churches are facing both the current health and economic crisis, as well as a preceding “crisis of relevance.” Executing their mission will depend upon good strategy and good fundraising.

Scott Bucko / 6 min read