My Life as a Fundraising Consultant
I worked as a fundraising professional for over 20 years before starting the consulting firm Jump Start Growth. My career first began in one-person development offices before I moved to The Wilderness Society, where I was a one of six major gift officers. My last full time job was at the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland.
In every instance, I zeroed in on gifts from individuals at the top of the giving pyramid. The focus of Jump Start Growth is bringing effective major gifts fund raising practices to organizations that are ready for dramatic expansion. Successes include leading three capital campaigns for organizations new to major gifts fund raising, securing millions of dollars in bequest and planned gift commitments, and bringing a laser-sharp focus to relationships with donors.
Why Organizations Hire Me
There are typically three challenges that organizations hire me to address:
1. They have donors who are writing three-digit checks who they know could write four-, five-, or six-digit checks.
2. They know some of their board members are connected to philanthropists, but when they ask for help fundraising, they hear resounding silence.
3. They are investing their fundraising resources in galas, raffles, golf tournaments, or auctions, and they suspect there must be a way to raise more money with less pain. (Hint: There is.)
If you want to talk about how to add some oomph with integrity to your fundraising program, get in touch.
Organizations I Work With
Bread & Roses
Carpenters Shelter
Catholic Climate Covenant
Catholic Mobilization Network
Center for Science in the Public Interest
Center on Conscience and War
Chesapeake Shakespeare Company
College of Southern Maryland
Colored Girl Productions
DC Central Kitchen
Earthworks
Good Shepherd Housing
Ignatian Volunteer Corps
Jesuit Refuge Services
L'Arche of Greater Washington
L’Arche USA
National Catholic Partnership
on Disabilities
National Law Center Homelessness
and Poverty
Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services
Public Justice Center
Shalem Institute
Smith Center for Healing and the Arts
Step Afrika
Wicomico Library
Young Leadership Foundation
Featured Fundraising Publications
Become a Better Fundraiser by Liberating Your Creative Side
5.19.16
Multitasking with Your Eyes on the Prize
3.25.16
Whoosh, Doldrums, Whoosh: The Power of an Ambitious Goal
8.19.14
Step Into Your Power
3.12.18
Building Community: Another Term for Fundraising
4.2.15
Jargon & Gargoyles: How to Not Bore Your Donors to Death
3.13.14
What It Means to Listen to a Donor
12.22.16
The Importance of Slowness in the Development Office
9.12.14
PAUL = EXCELLENT LISTENER
I have experienced Paul Jolly as an excellent listener. Feeling truly heard and understood has been an essential component for professional growth, enabling me to better reflect on and navigate various situations, important decisions and courses of action.
- HU