If you’ve attended a successful fundraiser, charity golf outing, or community event lately, there’s a good chance someone like Alison Cefalu was working behind the scenes to make it happen. As the founder of ARC Event Consulting, Alison partners with nonprofits across Milwaukee to strengthen fundraising efforts, build donor relationships, and create events that drive real impact.
Beyond her professional work, she serves on the board of Next 18, a Wisconsin nonprofit supporting the mental health of veterans and first responders through golf-based wellness programs. Whether she’s helping organizations raise critical funds or connecting people to causes that matter, Alison is passionate about empowering Milwaukee’s nonprofit community and inspiring the next generation to get involved.
What is your background?
I was born and raised in New Berlin, WI. Left for college and came back to Milwaukee.
Any stories from your youth that define your path?
I am a lifelong athlete and had the opportunity to play soccer at the division 1 level; creating a discipline and personal drive that never left. I feel most alive after a shot of adrenaline; these days, that shot comes from running events!
A combination of my faith and my family’s strong example of volunteering, lead me to a career in non-profit work. From a young age service was always a part of my life – I remember being very little and helping with my grandmother’s school board election campaign, then later watching my parents run our youth soccer tournament, and my mom serving as PTA president at our grade school, middle school, and high school. Along the way, my siblings and I were always part of improving the community around us.
As a college athlete, we were led to give back – student-athletes for a day, participating in fundraising walks, packing boxes at food pantries, which always felt like home to me.
Where did you study (if you did higher education)?
Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff, AZ) and St. Norbert College (De Pere, WI)
What do you do for work now?
Earlier this year I launched ARC Event Consulting. I work with non-profit organizations to grow their fundraising efforts, donor relations, and community events. I have been blessed to connect with some incredible causes in our city.
Can you talk a little bit about your career journey? How’d you get to where you are now?
Prior to consulting on my own, I have a background in non-profit and corporate event planning. Throughout my career, every opportunity for growth and leadership gave me the confidence to take the leap into consulting. I have truly learned from the best, and I am so excited to share my knowledge in this new capacity.
Can you talk more about your community involvement or volunteer experience?
Volunteering is something I have always done. When I have been lucky enough to feel moved to connect with a cause, I find a way to do more.
I had the opportunity to join the Salvation Army Echelon Milwaukee network and quickly joined the events committee. We were putting on fun and unique events in an effort to engage and mobilize the next generation in the incredible work of the Salvation Army. I served as Co-President, traveled to Washington D.C. on a leadership retreat at Salvation Army HQ, and held a position on the executive board. As side from making lifelong friends, I had a front row seat to witness the impact the Salvation Army has on our community (and globally), and I am forever grateful my experience with them.
When my board position with the Salvation Army came to end, I was searching for a new organization to share my time with. I was following Next 18 on LinkedIn, I felt aligned and called to the mission, so I reached out and offered to help with any event needs they had. I landed on the golf outing committee, and less than a year later was voted onto the board.
Next 18 is a Wisconsin-based nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the mental health of veterans and first responders through the game of golf. Veterans and first responders apply to attend a 4-day wellness camp that combines professional golf instruction, mental wellness resources, and a strong peer support network.
Currently for Next 18, I lead two golf outings that fundraise for the camps, keeping them free of charge to attendees.
What are some ways you have impacted the community in your line of work?
I have created a unique opportunity for myself to learn about the incredible non-profit work happening in our community. As side from event planning and fundraising, I love being able to tell my friends and family about the organizations I am connecting with. I hope I’ve encouraged the people in my life to get involved with causes important to them.
What do you like about living in Milwaukee?
I am blessed with a great network, and it’s tough to go anywhere and not see a familiar face. Collectively, I feel like we live in a community that takes care of and lifts each other up. We don’t have to look far for strong mentors, or for someone to say, “let me connect you.
What do you want to see for Milwaukee’s future?
Working in fundraising, succession planning, and motivating the next generation are two areas I feel passionate about. I am a millennial; we are the next big donor group – have we educated ourselves enough to carry on our parents’ and grandparents’ legacies in our communities? They have laid the foundation; it’s our turn to join non-profit boards, fundraise and support, and continue making an impact. Whether it’s a small organization, your church or parish, walking rescue dogs, or taking on a big brother/big sister role, I hope our peers know how important it is to share our time and gifts.
Anything else we should know about you, your job, community involvement, or life in general?
An opportunity to share my work with Milwaukee Uncut was on my goal list for this year – thanks for letting me check it off! 🙂
Appreciate everything you do to showcase our special city!