Shawn D. Ingram, President
Relationship Strategies Group (RSG) is dedicated to helping nonprofit organizations align philanthropic intent with programmatic opportunity to maximize impact.
RSG fulfills its mission through the power of strategy and relationship building. The work is based on decades of development experience and accomplished by using best practices in philanthropy, understanding organizational culture, active listening, inclusive and direct communication, and thought-provoking inquiry that respectfully explores existing norms and facilitates change where appropriate.
RSG is driven by principles as much as it is driven by relationships and strategy. The firm operates on the principle that all nonprofits are service organizations that build community around common interests, beliefs, and values. Centering diversity, equity, inclusion, access and belonging, Shawn is an advocate of Community Centric Fundraising. He believes in creating meaningful changes in organizational and philanthropic practices that are welcoming, inclusive, recognized and valued by donors and stakeholders, and help organizations achieve their financial and programmatic goals.
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BIOGRAPHY
Shawn D. Ingram (he/him/his) is a seasoned nonprofit fundraiser and executive leader with more than 30 years of professional experience working in the arts and culture, social service, and education sectors. Shawn’s emphasis on community-centric fundraising, building strategic relationships, and centering people alongside mission, vision, and values are key to his professional success.
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Shawn began his fundraising career at Harvard University. He later built his expertise at the American Repertory Theater under the Harvard umbrella, then moved to the West Coast to take the role of Director of Corporate and Foundation Development at La Jolla Playhouse. Subsequently, Shawn held positions as Director of Development at the San Diego LGBT Community Center, Executive Director at My Friend’s Place, Vice President of Development at The Trevor Project, Executive Director at Los Angeles Children’s Chorus, and Vice President, Contributed Revenue at Arts Consulting Group (ACG).
As an independent consultant, Shawn has provided a variety of fundraising, assessment, and interim services to Los Angeles-based organizations such as the American Youth Symphony, The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company, and Para Los Niños charter school. At New Roads School, Shawn conducted a capital campaign feasibility study for the now named Herb Alpert Educational Village. He is currently providing interim individual giving and campaign support services for The Dallas Opera.
While at ACG, Shawn provided interim development leadership, strategic planning services, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) training, development assessment, and campaign feasibility and management services for an international roster of clients including: Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, the Canadian National Exhibition Foundation, Glendale Arts-Alex Theatre, Creative Flagstaff, Vermont Studio Center, Armenian American Museum, Bucks County Playhouse, Chicago Dancemakers Foundation, Nashville Opera, Opera Lafayette, Viewpoint School, and Albany Museum of Art for which he continues to provide campaign management services.
Shawn serves on the board of Shanti Orange County and previously served on the board of directors for the Hollywood Property Owners Alliance, Creative Response for the Arts, and Diversionary Theater. He is honored to serve as Co-Chair of the Berkshire School Regional Advisory Council and Co-Chair of Berkshire’s DEI Alumni Council. Shawn earned a Bachelor of Science degree in communication from Boston University and is licensed as Fundraising Counsel in the State of California.
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