About John As a Director, John empowers organizations to maximize their revenue potential through strategic, scalable, and donor-centric approaches. Leveraging his extensive experience with diverse organizations—spanning various missions and budget sizes—John excels in a range of roles. His work includes serving in outsourced frontline fundraising positions, providing interim leadership, coaching executives and staff, developing and implementing innovative initiatives, and ensuring sustainable growth through proven best practices. Prior to joining Orr Group, John was the Director of Leadership Gifts at the Capital Area Food Bank, where he led the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts for the organization’s major and principal gift donors while managing a team of major gift officers. During his tenure, he spearheaded leadership giving efforts for a $50M strategic campaign, which included raising $35M for a new food distribution center in Northern Virginia. He also played a crucial role in expanding the organization’s fundraising capacity and donor retention during the COVID-19 pandemic, when contributed revenue surged from approximately $18M to over $40M annually. With over 15 years of experience, John has a proven track record of developing highly tailored cultivation and stewardship opportunities, working closely with boards and development committees, designing and implementing new fundraising initiatives, managing high-performing fundraising events, and increasing support from individuals, foundations, and corporations. Specializing in securing support from ultra-high-net-worth individuals, John has built successful major gift programs at The Washington Ballet, Teach For America-DC Region, and the Capital Area Food Bank. Additionally, he has held positions with the Children’s National Medical Center Foundation and the Houston Grand Opera, and has engaged in independent consulting with local arts nonprofits. John earned his MA in Arts Nonprofit Management from American University, focusing on fundraising, and he frequently returns as a guest lecturer to coach students in the art of major gift solicitation. John also holds degrees in violin performance from East Carolina University and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He is an active member of the Washington National Opera Junior Board, where he serves as Vice President, and he is on the board of Kollective366, a chamber orchestra based in New York City. When I'm not working... As a classically trained violinist, I spend my time teaching, practicing, and performing throughout the DC metro region. Favorite Book Genre Nonfiction