James K. Phelps, J.D., ACFRE began his professional development career in 1990. He worked as the Executive Director of Lane County AIDS Hospice Services and Salem Outreach Shelter. He served as the Library Development Officer at Fort Vancouver Regional Library District, Major & Planned Giving Manager at Planned Parenthood of the Columbia-Willamette and Development Director at the ACLU of Oregon. Phelps started his own consulting business, JKP Fundraising, LLC, in 2011.
Phelps is a past member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Board of Directors, a Past President of the Oregon and Southwest Washington Chapter of AFP, a past President of the Nonprofit Network of Southwest Washington and a current member of the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy Fundraising Board. Phelps has presented for the AFP International Conference on Fundraising, Willamette Valley Development Officers, Mid-Valley Development Professionals, and the Oregon & SW Washington Chapter of AFP.
One thing that may differentiate Phelps from other consultants is the ACFRE that appears after his name. That stands for Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive. Phelps is one of 117 individuals in the world currently holding that certification through the Association of Fundraising Professionals, an international professional association with approximately 27,000 members. This certification required Phelps to hold a CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive) and to recertify at least once before starting the process. That process included continuing education in leadership, management and ethics; a written exam; a portfolio of ten samples of work and an oral exam. Although there are many competent fundraisers, the ACFRE demonstrates commitment to the profession and an academic understanding of what makes a successful development program.
Phelps has served in more than 20 interim positions both in the Executive Director and Development Director roles. In addition he has a client list of more than 80 nonprofits that he has assisted with development audits, strategic planning, capital campaigns, board trainings and employment searches as a consultant.
LinkedIn: James K. Phelps