Meet Katrina

Katrina Bowers has a passion for creating a better future.

With a down-to-earth style that is focused on results, Katrina does not hesitate to get ‘in the weeds’ with you to ensure your goals are realized. As her client, she will provide continued support and champion you through all stages of your fundraising and philanthropic journey.

When she retired from her career in higher education, Katrina knew that her work was not done. There was a visible need in the world of philanthropy for accessible guidance and meaningful connection. The financial resources and the needs were there, but so was a gap between them.

She decided to use what she’s best at– fundraising, organizing, and coaching– in a way that could make positive impacts in the world, from her local community to far beyond. So, she founded Guided Giving to do just that– to create meaningful bridges between donors and nonprofit organizations.

“If people understood that they can change the world through charity and would ACT ON IT, my work here on earth is done.”
— Katrina Bowers

A note from the Founder:

“Guided Giving” is my newest avenue for changing the world. Don’t think I can?  Watch me!

After 30 years as a fundraising professional at the University of Georgia, I have launched a second career as a philanthropy coach. No, I am not a consultant– I won’t come in and tell you what to do. I am not in sales. By nature of you reading this far, you likely already have a propensity for HEART work, and I don’t need to sell you on the importance of working for or supporting charities. What I am is a coach– I believe that you have the answers you need, and my role is to help you find them and put them into practice.  If I can help you get “unstuck” then that’s a great day!

I serve two groups.

I serve the NONPROFIT community by championing charities to do their best work and secure their best gifts. Charity work is mission-critical to the heartbeat of all communities. I can support staff and volunteers by planning for and maximizing staff resources, campaign potential, and donor impact. My goal is to empower you and your work– after all you’re a world changer!

I serve INDIVIDUALS & FAMILIES who wish to develop a philanthropy plan but aren’t sure where to begin. I’ll help you become proactive, rather than reactive, with your charities of choice. Not sure who they are or how to give your best gifts? That’s our starting point.  Become a “powerhouse of good” and do what you can to change the world!

For more on how I ended up here, doing this work, please read my blog post “Lessons in Gratitude and Paying It Forward.” I am excited about the connection between passion and purses. I believe in hope, but hope is NOT a strategy. I look for the intersections of the creative meeting the practical. 

And I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that if people really took the time to understand the power they have through charities and do whatever they can to ACT on that understanding, then the world WILL change. Let’s change it together?  

One Gift at a Time,

Katrina L. Bowers
Founder, Guided Giving

Katrina’s Story

From the beginning, Katrina has been passionate about learning, doing, and creating connections. Her roots are in rural northeast Georgia, in the small town of Elberton, famous for being the Granite Capitol of the World.

Katrina worked for The University of Georgia for 30 years. She began her career with the Cooperative Extension Service in Lanier County, Georgia. After that, she enjoyed 25 years of development work serving as the Senior Director of Development for the College of Family and Consumer Sciences and then as the Senior Director of Development for the Terry College of Business at UGA (Go Dawgs!) until her retirement in 2021.

Athens is home to Katrina and her husband, Eddy Armstrong. Katrina is active in her local community and enjoys real estate investing, interior design, traveling, and cheering for the Georgia Bulldogs in any sport.

Most recently, Katrina became a Certified 21/64 Philanthropic Advisor.

  • Katrina earned a degree in Consumer Economics from the University of Georgia.

    She earned her Master of Education degree in Interior Design from the University of Memphis.

  • County Extension Agent, Lakeland, GA

    Sr. Director of Development, College of Family and Consumer Sciences at UGA

    Sr. Director of Development, Terry College of Business at UGA

  • Certified 21/64 Philanthropic Advisor

    Plus Delta Partners: Discipline of Frontline Fundraising Program Certificate, Management of Frontline Fundraising Program Certificate

REACH OUT.

If you are ready to discuss how Coaching can help your giving goals, reach out today.
We can change the world, one gift at a time!