About Us
Fundraising works best when strategy, systems, and the people behind the mission move together.
A Partner in the Work
Based in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, EMG works with nonprofits across the Chicago area and beyond. We pair candid strategic advice with hands-on support, adapting each engagement to your team’s capacity and goals.
Get to know the people behind the work below, Explore Our Services, or See Our Client Results.
Meet Eileen
I’m Eileen Mullin-Gasteier, Founder & Principal of EMG Fundraising. Before starting EMG in 2017, I spent 16 years leading fundraising and nonprofit growth from the inside. I know what it feels like to have ambitious goals, a small team, and an event or campaign that has to work.
I stay close to the work, from the first planning conversation through the final guest follow-up.
Before founding EMG, I held senior development roles at the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s, the Alain Locke Initiative (now Accelerate Institute), New Leaders Chicago, and St. Joseph College Seminary at Loyola University Chicago. My experience spans building development offices from startup and grassroots efforts through strategic expansion, alongside donor pipelines, sponsorship programs and campaigns.
At the Alain Locke Initiative, I led a five-person development team and worked closely with the founder and board chair as part of the senior leadership team. Across my roles, I have built teams through trust, collaboration, clear accountability and candid feedback. I bring that experience to EMG’s fractional development leadership, board and executive coaching, and hands-on support for growing nonprofits.
I hold an MBA from Loyola University Chicago, with a concentration in Human Resources Management and a certification in Ethics, and a BA in Psychology from the University of Dayton, where I graduated cum laude.
Featured in University of Dayton Magazine
Building Authentic Relationships
University of Dayton Magazine profiled EMG Founder & Principal Eileen Mullin-Gasteier ’99 as she launched her consulting practice in 2017, highlighting her commitment to helping nonprofits build strong organizations and meaningful donor relationships.
Winter 2017 – 2018
Meet Hope
Hope Rodine, Director of Projects & Client Engagement
Hope Rodine brings more than 20 years of experience in strategic planning, project management, organizational change, and client engagement to EMG Fundraising. She helps nonprofits turn ideas into action, tell their stories, and build support for their missions.
Hope pairs her professional expertise with a lifelong commitment to community service. Through leadership roles in her children’s schools and church, she has organized events, built volunteer teams, and managed budgets and vendor relationships. She has also mentored a Bridge Communities family working toward financial independence and volunteered with PADS, providing meals and hospitality to people experiencing homelessness.
Hope believes strong organizations grow through people, relationships, and shared purpose, a belief she brings to every client partnership.
Meet Calla
Calla, Loyal Workday Companion
Calla takes her place beside the work seriously, keeping company through planning sessions, projects and the everyday business of helping nonprofits grow.
Her specialty is showing up, staying close and making even the longest workday feel a little warmer.
A Team to Support Events of Every Size and Shape
From intimate gatherings to large celebrations, EMG brings the planning, coordination and on-site team support each event needs.
Gala event team.
Eileen with son Jack, a TPI youth participant.
The registration team welcoming guests.
The dream team behind a fabulous day party.
Welcoming guests to a wonderful day.
The team beneath the KOKOMO flowers.
Eileen’s favorite gala +1, Brian.
A warm welcome starts with a great team.
In Their Words
Perspectives from clients and colleagues. Excerpts from their testimonials.
Eileen is that colleague you try your hardest to recruit to join you at your next gig. I was lucky enough to work with Eileen at two organizations where her fundraising efforts afforded us the opportunity to expand nationally, build a top-notch team and develop partnerships with world-renowned organizations. Eileen is strategic in her approach, candid and transparent in her communication and empathetic when it comes to the causes near to her heart. Because of that she’s not only a strategic thought partner, she’s an advocate.
Elaine Berndes, Founder
KushuKuru
Eileen is a blessing to work with. She truly listened to my needs and was passionate about helping me and seeing me succeed. Her marketing advice and organizational guidance helped me build my business.
Emily Rose, Owner
Sunflower Spiritual Healing and Art
With her positive thought, commitment to excellence, and disciplined nature, Eileen not only achieves her own ambitious goals, but carries her team to achieve new heights as well. Her leadership encourages greatness at every level while bolstering the integrity of the cause she furthers.
Lauren Kehn, Victory Crew Program Manager
Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease