James Alton

Nonprofit Consultant

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States

About

Experience

  • Principal at J. Alton Consulting
    Oct 2016 - Present · 9 yrs 10 mos

    Real. Creative. Solutions. My 29 years of experience in the nonprofit sector--from large nationally known institutions such as the National Geographic Society to small local museums--can help solve a variety of issues within your organization. My diverse services include: Fundraising • Grant writing • Capital campaign planning and implementation • Case statement development, writing, and editing • Board and volunteer training • Income analyses Interim Leadership • Short-term engagements working with board of directors to keep an organization operating effectively, assess its needs, and assist in the transition to a new leader Organizational Assessment and Planning • Organizational analyses and recommendations • Strategic planning • Feasibility studies • Interpretive and master planning Project Management and Exhibit Development • Interpretive writing and editing • Oversight of major projects, including planning, schedule, budget, and production Licensed PA Consultant, Standards of Excellence, Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations Current and past clients • York County History Center, York, PA • Goodridge Freedom Center and Underground Railroad Museum, York, PA • Adams County Historical Society, Gettysburg, PA • Historical Society of Montgomery County, Norristown, PA • PA Museums, Harrisburg, PA • Russell Byers Charter School, Philadelphia, PA • Independence Charter School West, Philadelphia, PA • Independence Charter School, Philadelphia, PA • Command Fire Apparatus for Proposed Lancaster Fire Truck Museum, Lancaster, PA Projects in partnership with Lindsley Development Consulting: • Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic, Lancaster, PA • REAL Life Community Services, Denver, PA • Pennsylvania Dutch Council - Boy Scouts of America, Lancaster, PA • Rock Ford Plantation, Lancaster, PA • Dauphin County Library System, Harrisburg, PA

  • Assistant Director / Development Officer at North Museum of Nature and Science
    Aug 2007 - Mar 2016 · 8 yrs 8 mos

    • Assisted executive director in achieving goals established by strategic plan and managing museum operations. • Planned and implemented all fundraising activities, including Annual Appeal, corporate sponsorships, special events, and planned giving. • Worked with Board Development Committee to review plans, create pipelines of potential donors, and assign cultivation and solicitation responsibilities. • Assisted Board Governance Committee in assessing institutional leadership needs, identifying candidates, and orienting new board members. • Helped develop plans for reinvention of visitor experience, including major renovation of main exhibit space and installation of new planetarium, resulting in 28% increase in attendance in first nine months. • Raised $2.8 million toward $3.5 million goal for institution’s first capital campaign. Recruited leading community philanthropists to chair campaign. Worked with volunteers and consultants to cultivate and solicit major gifts. • Replaced golf tournament with mission-oriented program that increased sponsorship income 370% in first year. • Wrote successful IMLS grant to hire professional curator and create long-range collections plan. • Oversaw marketing, membership, and exhibit development functions. • Represented Museum at community events.

  • Lancaster County Historical Society ()
    • Vice President, Public Programs and Marketing (formerly Deputy Director)
      Jun 2003 - Aug 2007 · 4 yrs 3 mos

      • Assisted executive director in establishing strategic direction for the historical society and overseeing daily operations. • Served as institution’s development officer, with responsibility for Annual Campaign and Corporate Sponsor Program. • Handled public relations and marketing functions. • Wrote grants and sought new sources of funding. • Identified potential corporate sponsors, developed customized benefit packages, and secured support for variety of programs. • Wrote, edited, and produced quarterly membership publication, monthly electronic newsletter, and occasional donor updates.

    • Project Manager
      Jan 2002 - May 2003 · 1 yr 5 mos

      • Oversaw development and production of three-venue exhibition and 168-page full-color accompanying book.

  • Exhibit Developer / Interpretive Writer at Denver Museum of Nature & Science
    Jul 2000 - Dec 2001 · 1 yr 6 mos

    Also held position from January 1997 to March 1998 • Led conceptual development of exhibitions, working in concert with designers, curator, educator, project manager, and others. • Wrote scripts for all exhibit components, including videos and interactives. • Led Quick Response Team in interpreting current events for visitors

  • Denver Museum of Nature & Science ()
    • Editor (formerly Assistant Editor and Editorial Assistant)
      Jun 1994 - May 2000 · 6 yrs

      • Edited manuscripts of trade books, children’s books, and scientific papers. • Coordinated and reviewed all stages of production of print materials. • Developed proposals and content for new books. • Researched and wrote books for wide range of audiences. • Wrote articles for quarterly magazine to promote books to members. • Managed financial records.

    • Acting Publications Manager
      Jul 1996 - Mar 1997 · 9 mos

      • Oversaw production of Museum’s publications, coordinating activities of authors, illustrators, designers, freelance editors, and co-publishers. • Served as spokesperson and advocate for program, both internally and externally. • Created strategic plan and budget. • Negotiated contracts with potential co-publishers.