Your Rootstock Team

Experienced. Practical.

With over 50 years of combined experience in advancing and raising funds at top institutions like MIT, Colby College, Tulane University, Simmons College, Bentley University and The Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, the Rootstock team excels in:

  • Planning and managing complete campaigns

  • Coaching, training, and leading retreats for advancement leaders

  • Developing strategies for major donations

  • Aligning Board and Volunteer Leadership

  • Creating programs to recruit and retain fundraising talent

  • Conducting short, intense fundraising efforts

  • Fostering a lasting culture of philanthropy and elevating fundraising standards, emphasizing donor relations and stewardship for sustained success.

  • Brad Smith, Founder

    Brad Smith, M.Ed.

    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.

Ready to Talk?

Schedule time with Rootstock! We’re here and ready to help you reach your goals.

At Rootstock, we believe in partnering with you every step of the way, blending strategy with execution to empower your organization.

Whether through expert coaching, innovative initiatives, or our dynamic Major Gifts Essentials Course, we are committed to helping you achieve your mission and create meaningful, lasting change.

Our clients receive tailored strategies, expert guidance, and hands-on support to achieve their fundraising goals. We provide strategic counsel, interim leadership, initiative execution, and executive coaching to help nonprofits grow stronger, maximize impact, and thrive.

With decades of experience, we empower organizations to cultivate resources, build resilience, and drive lasting change.

Let’s cultivate the resources and relationships you need to thrive.

In other words: Let’s Grow Together!