Meet Eric Heininger, CFRE, MBA

Eric is inspired by people who, when given the opportunity, thrive and contribute back to the community that has served them. Whether that opportunity is safe shelter, educational assistance, or community health services, he has seen the lasting impact these interventions can have on one’s life. Eric is honored to partner with talented leaders and organizations to elevate their missions and ultimately serve the community through strategic, passion-driven endeavors.

Eric is backed by more than a decade of fundraising experience. He has worked in multiple sectors of the nonprofit community including religious, national and international social service, human rights, cultural, education, and health agencies. Eric has successfully conducted capital campaigns and feasibility studies across the country, managed large portfolios of grants at every level, created corporate sponsorship plans, implemented volunteer recruitment strategies, and coordinated individual major gift fundraising efforts.

As Founder and President of EDEN+ Fundraising Consulting, Eric has helped nonprofits in the Central Iowa community raise over $35 million in the last two years.

“My aspirations fall into two categories: Learn from others and lift others up. I love to learn new skills and wisdom. Sometimes those lessons come from those who have come before me and sometimes those lessons come from my daughter. But this needs to be a reciprocal process, and I want to guide the next generations of leaders to success.”
— Eric Heininger, CFRE

Community Involvement

  • Founder and Master Trainer

  • Development Advisor

  • President of the Member Group Board

  • President and Key Facilitator

  • Member of the Board of Directors

  • Political Action Committee Board Member - Working with legislators to make decisions around philanthropy that benefit donors and the nonprofits they support.

Professional Certifications

  • Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Iowa Cohort

  • Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Master Trainer

  • Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE)

  • MBA - University of Iowa, Tippie School of Business

What People Are Saying

  • Shelby Auler-Edge, Senior Consultant

    “Eric knows the non-profit world like the back of his hand and has mastered the art of fundraising. His wide variety of clients in different sectors, different sizes and different giving cultures allows him to adapt to an organizations needs and quickly form a solid plan of action.”

  • Dr. Chris and Julie White, Campaign Co-Chairs, Christ the King Parish, Des Moines, IA

    “[Eric was] able to bring all members of the committee together to sign onto the same vision and goals. At the same time he encouraged each person or couple to individualize their approach. We believe that this maximizes the ability of our committee to reach everyone in our parish and resulted in a great participation rate for the parish as a whole.”

  • Caroline Jones, Executive Director, Social Media Club

    “Eric and his team understand the many nuances of working with non-profit organizations and have provided immediate value to our organization."

  • Jeanne Wells, Campaign Executive Committee Volunteer, St. Thomas Aquinas, Indianola

    “Genuine. Dedicated. Quality.”

Chat with Eric today!