About
Jamie Dillon, CFRE
I've spent fifteen years in nonprofits, and raised $35M+ along the way, specializing in foundations and institutional gifts. I started Wingspan Fundraising because I wanted to help more nonprofits.
I'm from Chicago, but call Washington, DC home for now.
I'm a big believer that nonprofits are creative, resourceful, and show the best of what people can do. And I believe the way you raise money matters just as much as how much you raise. How you fund an organization shapes what it becomes. When I fundraise, I always want build for the long term; I'd rather help you build a nonprofit institution that lasts.
Where I've worked
Issue One · Washington, DC · 2022 to 2025
Senior Director of Advancement. Raised $12 million against a $7M goal. The foundation strategy I built generated 60% of the organization's revenue and $3 million in new funding from seven institutional donors.
Mikva Challenge · Chicago · 2018 to 2022
Director of Development and Institutional Giving. Managed a $2.8 million portfolio of 40 foundations, six government contracts, and eight corporations, with an 85% renewal rate.
Mercy-USA and Jesuit Refugee Service · Kenya and South Sudan · 2011 to 2017
Program Director. Led a $6M portfolio of humanitarian programs and $8.6M in successful proposals to USAID, UNICEF, the World Food Programme, and the Global Fund.
See my full work history on LinkedIn
Education
Master of Science, International and European Politics, University of Edinburgh Bachelor of Arts, Government and International Relations, Claremont McKenna College
Credentials
- Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), 2022
- Fellow, Allstate Foundation Executive Leadership Program, Northwestern Kellogg School of Management, 2021
- Management Leadership Fellow, Development Leadership Consortium, 2019
- Member, Association of Fundraising Professionals
Who I am at Work
I'm a systems thinker who loves to nerd out on many things, but especially strategy. I enjoy a clean color-coded spreadsheet! Fundraising should feel less chaotic and more human, and I try to work that way.
Away from the desk
I'm a curious and adventurous traveler and eater who likes going off the beaten path. I spent over a decade living abroad, and have called places including Thailand, Edinburgh, Scotland, and Nairobi, Kenya home. I will always say yes to Ethiopian food!
I love birds and birdwatching, enough that I started a small side project for birders that enjoy city birds.
