Karin Wysocki, Acacia Foundation co-founder, owns and operates a multi-million-dollar commercial cleaning company. Through the years, she recognized her desire and passion to help smaller, lesser known non-profit organizations who operated with a sound business model, but more importantly, connected her to the stories, the results, the purpose. She envisioned funding a program that could likewise help others make those same connections, and ignite a lifelong passion for giving. She admired the work of Laura Desmond for over three decades, and knew Laura could provide the expertise on how they could help these worthy organizations, then crafting the models for donor connections and fulfillment. The Acacia Foundation is her dream come true!
Laura Desmond, Acacia Foundation co-founder, is a fundraising professional with extensive experience in philanthropy – securing seven-figure gifts, executing grants management, building annual funds and planning event and campaign strategies/programs. She envisioned sharing her 30+ years of working for major Cleveland philanthropic institutions with a greater number of nonprofit charitable organizations and donors. Her experience includes managing teams of professionals at the American Red Cross, The Cleveland Orchestra and Case Western Reserve University.