Adam Short

Background

About Adam Short

My path to becoming a fundraising professional has been immensely rewarding but definitely not straightforward. In fact, I fell into it almost by chance. While volunteering for a local arts non-profit, the Executive Director noticed that I had a knack for putting sentences together and asked me to help him write proposals. I submitted a successful grant and then another one, and pretty soon, I had funded a position for myself as the first full-time, paid employee at the organization. Since then, I’ve been able to fundraise for small grassroots organizations and multi-billion dollar powerhouses. And along the way, I’ve realized that it's deeply fulfilling to support a powerful philanthropic mission, and to feel that every day I am doing good, making a difference, and helping others. The kinds of professional experiences that I value are the ones that stimulate my curiosity, engage my core strengths, and challenge my professional capabilities. I shine in situations where I can nurture dynamic relationships, articulate a strategic vision, implement creative solutions, apply an entrepreneurial spirit, and navigate institutional complexity. Outside work, I enjoy spending time with my family, exploring the big outdoors, and stealing a few moments with a good book.