Ronnie Plasters

Background

About Ronnie Plasters

As a philanthropy scholar & fundraising expert, I inspire and empower current and future nonprofit leaders to translate theoretical knowledge into strategic, missional impact. I train and coach nonprofit executives, fundraisers, and their boards, helping organizations build sustainable growth. As a researcher and lecturer, I blend several disciplines (i.e, religion, ethics, and sociology) to explore how and why individuals engage philanthropically. I blend experiential and theoretical practices to promote greater efficacy for donors and nonprofit leaders alike. Most recently, I served TheatreWorks Silicon Valley as the senior development director of a multi-tiered 7-person team that served a 30-person board of Silicon Valley leaders. Together, we generated over $5 million annually from partners and surpassed belief barriers along the way: the most successful gala to date ($1 million); the largest capital campaign in our history ($5.5 million in one year); and even double-digit growth in new donative partners year over year (20%). This success, built upon a strategic vision, occurred with this diverse development team, organizational programmatic leaders, and, most importantly, our generous philanthropic investors from Silicon Valley and across the nation. As a consultant, I build curriculum and deliver training for senior leaders and executives who wish to engage translate their visionary leadership for multiple stakeholders. My teaching includes religion, spiritually, & philanthropy; experiential philanthropy; civic engagement; social entrepreneurship; and applied philanthropy that intersects morality and ethics in the field. My ongoing research includes applied philanthropy in both virtual and physical contexts; embodied philanthropic behaviors; environmental philanthropy; and novel or innovative philanthropic practices. Most importantly, my consulting and research endeavors include a focus on the field, ensuring practical application for fundraisers, civic leaders, and donors.