Carly St. Onge, Advanced Certified Nonprofit Professional (ACNP), has spent nearly 12 years cultivating her expertise in fundraising and nonprofit management, specifically in healthcare. From her early days selling cookie dough in her neighborhood to her current role as Chief Development Officer at Logan Health Children’s in Kalispell, Montana, Carly’s career journey has been one defined by passion, persistence, and a deep commitment to improving the lives of children and their families.

“I was one of those rare kids who just loved fundraising,” Carly recalls. “I always wanted to be the top seller. That drive carried me into my career. I knew early on that I wanted to make a difference, particularly in the lives of children.”

Chief Development Officer at Logan Health Children’s, Carly St. Onge, ACNP smiles brightly with a pediatric patient

Carly St. Onge, ACNP, Chief Development Officer, Logan Health Children’s, shares a heartwarming moment with a young patient.

Path to a Meaningful Career

Carly’s path to becoming a Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) and now ACNP was far from accidental. Growing up in a small town in Idaho, she was given the unique opportunity to help launch a 5K fundraiser benefiting children with cancer while still in high school. This hands-on learning experience with event planning, fundraising, and board development ignited her passion for the nonprofit sector.

At the University of Montana, Carly pursued a business degree with a minor in nonprofit administration. She quickly became involved with the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance’s program where she earned the CNP credential in 2013. 

“I was surprised by how disconnected the business school was from nonprofit management,” Carly says. “To me, it was clear that to run a successful nonprofit organization, you need strong business acumen. The CNP program helped bridge that gap and provided me with the skills I needed to thrive.”

From California Dreams to Montana Roots

After graduating, Carly packed her bags and moved to San Diego, where she landed her dream job in corporate development at Rady Children’s Hospital. She recalled how her CNP campus director at the University of Montana connected her with the campus director at the University of San Diego. “That introduction helped me land my first job,” Carly explains. “It’s amazing how the CNP network stretches far and wide. Those connections, cultivated through the program, were instrumental in shaping my career.”

Working at one of the largest children’s hospitals in California, Carly was part of a team responsible for raising $30 to $50 million annually. But despite the high-profile nature of her work, Carly felt a pull to return to her roots. 

“When I looked around at my life in San Diego, I realized that something was missing,” Carly reflects. “I wanted to be part of a community where I could make a deeper, more personal impact.”

That opportunity came in 2019 when Carly accepted the role of Chief Development Officer at Logan Health Children’s. Her first day on the job coincided with the opening of the hospital, marking the start of a new chapter both for Carly and for children’s healthcare in Montana.

Carly St. Onge, San Diego Nonprofit Professional, smiling at a Rady Childrens Hospital event

Carly St. Onge, ACNP, former Director of Philanthropy at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, alongside a young advocate, celebrating their work in pediatric healthcare.

Transforming Care for Montana’s Children

As Chief Development Officer, Carly oversees all aspects of fundraising for Logan Health Children’s. Under her leadership, the hospital has been able to expand its reach across Montana, a state known for its vast geography and widely dispersed population. 

One of the most significant challenges Carly and her team face today is ensuring that children across the state have access to the care they need, regardless of where they live. “Montana is unique,” Carly explains. “Our state’s geography stretches 147,000 square miles yet Montana is home to only 250,000 kids. That makes it incredibly difficult to reach every child in need. But we’re committed to making it happen.”

To meet this challenge, Logan Health Children’s operates 14 outreach clinics across the state, with pediatric providers traveling over 100,000 miles each year to bring care directly to patients. The hospital also relies on a donated aircraft to transport medical professionals to remote areas—a lifeline for families who might otherwise have to travel hundreds of miles for care.

Beyond her fundraising work, Carly is deeply committed to community outreach. Logan Health Children’s is heavily involved in preventative care programs, from water safety to helmet programs and car seat checks, all aimed at keeping kids safe and healthy. 

As Carly explains, the hospital’s ultimate goal is to put itself out of business. “We always say the best day will be when we can close the children’s hospital doors because every child in Montana is healthy and safe,” Carly says with a smile. “That’s the dream—to create a world where kids don’t need us anymore.”

Carly St. Onge posing next to a Logan Health Childrens Hospital pediatric patient

Chief Development Officer, Carly St. Onge shares a heartfelt moment with a brave pediatric patient undergoing treatment at Logan Health Children’s Hospital.

The Impact of the CNP Credential

For Carly, the CNP credential has not only provided her with the skills necessary to lead in a complex and ever-evolving sector but also given her the credibility to advance in her career. “When I started in this field, there wasn’t really a clear path for nonprofit professionals,” Carly says. “But the CNP credential changed that. It gave me a framework to build upon and helped me demonstrate my competencies to leadership.”

Carly’s Advanced CNP credential, earned in 2023, has further solidified her standing as a leader in nonprofit healthcare fundraising. “It’s not just about having letters after your name,” Carly notes. “It’s about proving that you have the skills and knowledge to lead effectively. And in healthcare, where so much is at stake, that’s incredibly important.”

For those considering earning their CNP credential, Carly’s advice is simple: go for it. She explains, “It’s not just about getting a credential—it’s about becoming the best version of yourself as a leader. And if you’re passionate about making a difference, there’s no better way to do it.”

Carly serves as a shining example of what it means to be an Advanced Certified Nonprofit Professional (ACNP). Through her work, she is not only transforming healthcare in Montana but also inspiring others to follow in her footsteps, proving that with the right skills anyone can make a lasting impact in the world.

Develop the nonprofit management skills you need by becoming a CNP!

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