Leadership & Fundraising Expert, International Speaker, and Author 

 

Ian helps build successful nonprofits by winning donor attention, cultivating strong boards, implementing innovative programs and by revitalizing mission awareness with stakeholders and community partners.

 

Ian Adair has 25+ years of management, fundraising, and communications experience in the nonprofit, education, and corporate sector. Over that time he has raised tens of millions of dollars, managed hundreds of employees and volunteers, presented at more than 200 conferences and events around the world, and authored curriculum for numerous education, board development, and employee training and recognition programs. 

 

Ian has appeared in more than 100 radio and podcast interviews and is a contributing writer to national and regional magazines on the topics of leadership, mental health awareness, fundraising, and workforce related issues.

 

Ian has been fortunate to have success leading corporate and nonprofit teams, volunteer boards, and front-line staff around the country to further program growth and impact. Ian’s understanding of volunteer and board dynamics, marketing and social media, training and professional development has allowed him the opportunity to impact organizational culture and program success at all levels.

 

Ian’s experience and success leading nonprofit organizations around the country have helped him become a sought-after speaker concerning: fundraising strategy, nonprofit leadership, digital and social media, succession planning, board development, and donor communication. Ian is also a speaker, author, and advocate concerning mental health awareness and addressing mental health in the workplace.

 

In a 2024 world, Ian helps organizations utilize social/digital media, employee engagement and recognition programs, and communication strategies to support and enhance their community profile, improve fundraising, and cultivate brand equity – in an effort to win the battle for attention happening right now in a very competitive charitable environment.

 

With attention moving away from television, print media, billboards, and even computer screens - Ian believes it’s time for nonprofits to focus on creating "content of value" for their audience AND produce that content on mobile devices, social and digital media platforms to win the attention of donors and ultimately their most valued asset - TIME! 

 

Ian calls this concept Attention-Focused Fundraising - where ATTENTION is now the variable of success in fundraising and donor TIME is the currency nonprofits need to survive today.

 

Ian holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Westminster College and a Master of Science in Family and Child Development from the University of Central Oklahoma. He also holds a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate from the University of South Florida, and is both an Advanced Certified Nonprofit Professional (ACNP) and Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) through the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance.

 

Ian’s experience includes management and executive level positions with; Association of Fundraising Professionals - AFP Global Office, The Gracepoint Foundation, T-Mobile’s Corporate Headquarters, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and The Edgar Martinez Foundation; Ian also works as an adviser and consultant for start-ups, social entrepreneurs, Family Foundations, and nonprofits around the country.

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Ian's TEDxWestshore talk titled "The Intersection Between Leadership

and Mental Health" was recorded in Tampa, FL. and released on

December 2020.

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