“Creating a durable fundraising program requires a deep commitment to best practices, combined with a practical, focused approach informed by each organization’s unique history and capabilities. As a consultant, this means seeing beyond transactive fundraising and spending time getting to know our clients. A deeply personal, customized approach enabled my success as a fundraising professional, and my goal was to bring the same ethos to every client engagement at Rootstock.”

In early 2020, Brad founded Rootstock Philanthropy, a hybrid strategic advisory firm focused on nonprofit fundraising and strategic initiatives, with the goal of delivering practical, world-class advice to clients anywhere, anytime.

Brad’s early career in fundraising included successful Major Gift Officer Roles at Colby College and Tulane Law School, but after Hurricane Katrina relocated his family to New England, Brad joined MIT’s Office of Leadership Giving.

Over the next 11 years, Brad helped to secure over $100M in individual gifts, led the development and implementation of MIT’s first Talent Management Program for The Office of Leadership Giving, and eventually assumed the role of Director of Strategic Initiatives for MIT.nano, the largest basic research project in MIT history. During his time at MIT, Brad’s initiative and leadership fostered several signature initiatives, including the MIT-IBM Intelligence Initiative, a $240M 10-year partnership.

In August 2016, Brad joined the American Technion Society (ATS) during a transformational time for the University. As Associate Vice President for Development, Brad led a team of 20 remote-based fundraisers, culminating in record fundraising results in FY’18 and FY’19. In addition, Brad was responsible for building collaborative fundraising initiatives between The Technion and Cornell Tech, eventually earning the promotion to Executive Director of Development.

Brad lives outside of Portland, Maine with his wife, Peg, and two daughters, Elle and Eve. When not working on Rootstock, he can be found tending to his heirloom apple orchard, cooking, exercising, and managing the LinkedIn Community, Philanthropy Network, which has grown to become one of the largest professional groups of its kind.

“Building a culture of philanthropy requires a practical and focused approach informed by real-world experience. It also means going beyond the transactional expectations of fundraising, and it’s how we approach all client engagements at Rootstock.”

Prior to joining Rootstock, Chris served as the Executive Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the College of Charleston Foundation. There, he lead a coordinated, campus-wide approach to university development, alumni relations, stewardship, and advancement services. Chris was also responsible for overseeing institutional funds management and growing the endowed funds held for the College of Charleston by the College of Charleston Foundation, working in close partnership with the President, executive team, and volunteer boards.

Tobin joined the College of Charleston in November 2009 as Vice President of Development, where he lead BOUNDLESS, the College of Charleston’s largest-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign. BOUNDLESS surpassed its $125M goal by raising more than $138 million.

Prior to The College of Charleston, Chris worked at Tulane University, where he served as the Associate Dean for Alumni and Development at Tulane Law School, and as Assistant Vice President for Development, directing the university’s major gifts department after the 2005 Hurricane Katrina disaster. During his tenure, Tobin and his team rebuilt the frontline major gifts program, provided development leadership to 12 principal schools and units, and expanded the overall major gift prospect and donor pipeline. These efforts helped Tulane successfully complete a $700 million comprehensive campaign, and secure an emergency $100 million drive for unrestricted hurricane recovery support.

Prior to Tulane, Tobin worked for Goizueta Business School at Emory University as a Senior Associate Director of Development and Director of Major Gifts. He has also held positions in development and client relations for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, SCANA Energy, and Korn/Ferry International. He lives outside of Charleston, SC with his wife Caitlin, son Pierson, and his daughter, Garnet.

Rebekah has a passion for forging powerful and productive connections between organizations and the people who can help them. With over 15 years in development and nonprofit leadership, Rebekah has led high-performing teams, and created clear and comprehensive project-based and strategic plans.

Her experience spans mission-driven, grateful patient, and alumni-based fundraising and direct marketing. As Senior Director of Development and Community Relations at Sweetser, Rebekah combined and modernized the organization’s development and communications teams, leading to an 80% increase in funds raised in under 1 year. As Director of Development at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, Rebekah successfully led her team to increased success each year and served on the Dean’s Strategic Planning Steering Committee. Working for smaller nonprofits early in her career taught Rebekah how to capture the hearts of key partners, whether they be billionaires or neighborhood business owners.

Rebekah earned an A.B. from Bowdoin College, where she studied classical archaeology, as well as an M.Ed. from Harvard University focused on leadership and administration.