Why Choose MN-PS?

The Reasons to Consider Alex Comfort, CFRE and Mountain Non-Profit Solutions:

Experience

Alex Comfort

Alex Comfort will tailor a project to your individual situation

  • Eight years in the full-time Episcopal Church ministry and participated in three area-wide capital campaigns, 1978-1986.
  • One of the top Campaign Directors for Ward, Dreshman, & Reinhardt, Inc. – the nation’s first fundraising firm, 1986-1988.
  • Director of Development for Covenant House New Orleans (a national shelter for homeless teens), 1988 – 1992. 
    Alex Comfort - Mountain Non-Profit Solutions, LLC

    Alex will guide your project with experience, compassion and humor

    • Increased annual revenues by 43%. 
    • Directed its first capital campaign for $400,000.
  • Vice President, LSU Health Sciences Foundation, 1992-1996.
    • Created and expanded fundraising, capital campaigns and endowment programs at Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, and Allied Health.  
    • Was the consultant for the formation of the Foundation for the School of Medicine in Shreveport.
  • Associate Vice Chancellor for Development, Principal Gifts, and Planned Giving, University of North Carolina at Asheville, 1996 – 2007.
    • Took annual giving from $900,000 to $3.5 million.
    • Increased percentage of alumni giving from 6.7% to 14.3%.
    • Served as Campus Director for UNC Asheville’s first capital campaign, raised $11.1 million on an $8 million goal.
    • Was the Capital Campaign Director to build the Reuter Center, the home of the Center for Creative Retirement, $4.2 million.
    • Secured naming gift for the Kimmel Arena for the Wilma Sherrill Center for Health and Wellness.
  • Executive Director, Cradle of Forestry Interpretive Association, Brevard, NC, 2007 – 2011.
    • Re-structured a $2.5 million a year non-profit which was losing $250,000 per year. 
    • Left it with $300,000 in the bank and the ability to hire a full-time Executive Director.
  • President, Mountain Non-Profit Solutions, LLC, 2009 – present.  Conducts feasibility studies and directs capital campaigns, planned giving and endowment programs, and development analyses for clients.
  • Author, Even a Blind Squirrel Finds an Occasional Acorn:  Fundraising Tales from the Front Lines.  Books available from www.mn-ps.com at $15.99 and through Amazon.com at $17.99.

Pro Bono Activities

  • Through the Association of Fundraising Professionals of New Orleans, personally consulted with and augmented fundraising for 11 area non-profits from 1991-1996.
  • As Board Member of the Melvin R. Lane Fund closely advised 12 area non-profits, 1997 - present.
  • As member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Western North Carolina Chapter, 1996 - present,  President (2013 - 2014) consulted with and assisted 7 area non-profits, 1998 – present).

Affiliations and Awards

  • Association of Fundraising Professionals, 1989 – present.  Board member 8 years, Chair of National Philanthropy Day, 3 times.  Frequent presenter and lecturer.  President of the WNC Chapter of AFP, January 2013 – December 2015.
  • Certified Fund Raising Professional (CFRE), 1991-2007, 2014 - present.
  • Board Member, Melvin R. Lane Fund, 1997 – present.
  • Outstanding Fund Raising Executive, AFP New Orleans 1995.
  • Outstanding Fund Raising Executive, AFP Western North Carolina 2010.