Who We Are

For the past 22 years, Alan Hutson’s consulting work has focused on converting people’s passions and good ideas into viable programs within well-run organizations. Whether he is revamping annual fund structures or managing capital campaigns, Alan’s recommendations include staff and volunteers involved, in a sustained way, in the fundraising process. Alan’s work has resulted in nonprofit organizations raising over $150M (US based clients).

In his role as Managing Partner of The Monument Group and as Senior Partner Consultant of the Management Centre (=mc consulting) international network, Alan lives by the philosophy of Margaret Mead: “A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Alan uses his background in economics to help nonprofit organizations understand the implications that behavioral economics and neuroscience can have on fundraising. His US-based fundraising expertise has supported =mc’s consulting with large international organizations including UNICEF, International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Societies, and Médecins Sans Frontières. Likewise, Alan has been able to use his international learning working with clients closer to home. Regardless of size of the client or the scope of the project, Alan brings cutting-edge ideas into refining fundraising strategy.

In the US or abroad, Alan deeply believes that the real brilliance is in the program side of nonprofit organizations. He feels privileged to be able to devote his managerial skills and fund development expertise to bringing those programs to scale and is humbled by the determination and dedication of nonprofit program staff members. Alan believes that even excellent program staff can benefit from a well-devised fundraising strategy to support their cause.

Alan’s professional affiliations reflect his commitment to advancing the field of philanthropy. He is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and the Virginia Association of Fundraising Executives. In 2009, 2011, and 2013, Alan was invited to speak at the Southern African Institute of Fundraising (SAIF) where he also performed pro bono consultation with nonprofits ranging from an HIV/AIDS orphanage to a leadership development academy for the chronically unemployed. In 2011, SAIF asked him to help chart the future of SAIF through a strategic partnership with AFP. Additionally, he has presented at the Virginia Fundraising Institute (2013, 2016, and 2017 as a plenary speaker, and 2018), at AFP’s International Conference (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and invited for 2019), at the International Fundraising Congress (2015), Japan’s annual Fundraising Conference (2018), China’s Global Fund Conference (2016), ALDE’s conference (2016), and the US Olympic Committee’s Development Conference. He routinely speaks at Virginia Commonwealth University, as well as local and regional AFP organizations. He recently co-presented with Charleita Richardson, Executive Director of Partnership for the Future, on the CEO-Fundraising Model at the National College Access Network.

Alan’s leadership within the nonprofit world can also be seen in his volunteer work. He serves as The Monument Group’s representative for the Giving Institute. Alan also has the distinction of being the first person from Central Virginia elected to AFP’s International Board.

In the recent past, he has served nationally on the Executive Committee of the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy and has been co-chair of AFP’s Fundraising Board and served on the Strategic Planning Committee. In Richmond, he has served on the boards of the local AFP chapter (Past Board Chair), Circle Center Adult Day Services (Past Governance Committee Chair), and 1708 Gallery (Past Finance Committee Chair).

Additionally, Alan feels it is important to dedicate time to civic memberships that have included: the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce, the Better Business Bureau Serving Central Virginia, the Richmond Business Council’s Education Subcommittee, and the Rotary Club of Richmond, where he was a Paul Harris Fellow and past recipient of the President’s Award.

Alan graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Davidson College. After studying great corporate leaders, he realized the power of liberal arts: “If you love what you do, and infuse what you do with the best that humanity has to offer…a true liberal arts approach…then you end up conveying emotion in your product… and it will be something that people don’t just want – they will love.” (Steve Jobs, 1994). Alan also holds both a Masters of Public Administration and a post-baccalaureate certificate in Nonprofit Management from VCU. He is a graduate of Leadership Metro Richmond and AFP’s Faculty Training Academy.