Shannon Alexander

With over 30 years of development experience, Shannon Alexander launched the fundraising consulting firm the Alexander Ross Group (ARG) in 2011. The firm focuses on major growth and scaling of philanthropic revenue for increased impact. She assisted dozens of nonprofit organizations to improve major gift development and served as campaign counsel for campaigns ranging from $15 million – $5 billion. She is a recognized leader in nonprofit executive and board leadership.

Prior to launching ARG, Shannon served as Vice President, External Affairs for the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. Under her leadership, Griffin MSI completed its Science Rediscovered capital campaign, surpassing its $205 million goal by $3.8 million. The successful campaign attracted 5,000 donors, more than 55 of whom contributed at least $1 million. Shannon was a key member of the Executive Staff and managed Board of Trustees relations, auxiliary groups, donor communications, membership, and strategic planning. She led a team of 40 staff members, including seven department heads. Shannon was responsible for creating the task forces that engaged civic leaders, educators, and scientists in Griffin MSI’s plan that encouraged them to dream big, while building ownership among major gift prospects to fund MSI’s bold vision and bolster its endowment.

Before Griffin MSI, Shannon was a consultant with a national resource development firm where she worked with a variety of non-profit organizations. She worked on projects ranging from development assessments, feasibility studies, capital campaign implementation, donor communications, and executive searches.

Shannon served on the boards of Evanston Township High School Foundation, Foundation 65, the Chicago Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), and as co-chair for the Chicago Community Trust’s Young Leaders’ Fund (YLF) endowment campaign for YLF alumni. Shannon co-designed and led the Fundraising for Good Cohorts at the Baumhart Center at Loyola University supporting senior level development professionals.

As an instructor for Northwestern University Continuing Studies Program, Shannon taught courses in major gifts and capital campaigns. She served as a guest lecturer at Kellogg’s Center for Nonprofit Management regarding effectively engaging boards in fundraising. She was a featured speaker for AFP Chapter programs in Chicago, Indianapolis, and Northwest Indiana, as well as the YWCA and the American Association of Museums and Association of Science and Technology Centers conferences. A graduate of Butler University, Shannon received the Alumni Service Award for her volunteer efforts including serving on the Alumni Board of Directors.