Peter J. Heller

Over a period of 19 years in the non-profit world, Peter Heller has built an expertise creating successful organizations through strengthening their strategic and financial assets. 

His key strengths include an easy-going but driven communication style; a consistent ability to build relationships leading to significant financial support and volunteer participation; and a clear understanding of the elements that combine to create a well-functioning development operation.

Since 2004 Peter has been offering strategic and fundraising management consulting services to a diverse group of non-profit clients with great success.  He has taught Major Gifts Fundraising in Columbia’s Fundraising Management Graduate Program and has served on the Governance and Public Policy Committee of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater New York Chapter. 

For the 10 years prior to beginning his consulting business (1994-2004) Peter was a fundraiser and administrator for Columbia University, ultimately becoming the Director of Development for Columbia’s Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science.  In securing support for University funding priorities he worked closely with the Engineering School’s Dean, Zvi Galil, dramatically moving the School’s financial and organizational strength forward.  He also traveled extensively in the US and Asia to cultivate the support.

Prior to his years at Columbia, Peter held development positions at several world-class universities including UC Berkeley, UC San Francisco and Tel Aviv University (NY office).  He started his career with a brief stint at his alma mater, College of the Atlantic (ME).

Peter attended Wesleyan University (CT) and College of the Atlantic receiving a B.A. in Human Ecology from the latter in 1985.  Before his non-profit and consulting careers, Peter ran his own vegetarian cooking and catering business in New York.