FOUNDER, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
MEMPHIS, TN • 901-335-1903

Nicholas Scully has more than 40 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. His areas of expertise include campaign management and implementation, marketing and communication for advancement, board training and development, prospect engagement and cultivation, planned giving, major gift solicitation, donor stewardship, and enrollment/membership management.

Prior to founding Scully Associates, he was the vice president for institutional advancement, enrollment management and NCAA DII Athletics at Christian Brothers University (CBU) in Memphis, Tennessee. He formerly served Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal School in Memphis as athletics, admissions and development director, and as a classroom teacher and coach.

Mr. Scully holds a bachelor’s degree from CBU and earned a master’s degree with top honors from Vanderbilt University with an emphasis in institutional advancement. A presenter regionally and nationally for the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and he became a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) in 1989. He has taught the CFRE survey course many times and has been a guest lecturer at the Professional Seminar on Major Gifts Fundraising at Vanderbilt University.

Mr. Scully has served on boards and advisory councils for numerous regional and nation nonprofits. He was the recipient of the Crystal Award for Fundraising Executive of the Year from the Memphis Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. He was recognized by Vanderbilt University with the Dave Jones Award for Excellence in Institutional Advancement.

His clients have included major universities, private colleges, conservation groups, independent, charter and public schools, churches and religious organizations, social services providers, healthcare facilities, museums, city parks, and national fraternities.

SENIOR CONSULTANT
MEMPHIS, TN • 901-485-4512

During her 30 years of fundraising experience, Carol Thornton has helped nonprofit organizations across the sectors of education, healthcare, and human services raise more than $200 million for capital, annual, and endowment projects. Her skills include campaign management, endowment and planned giving program development, alumni relations, annual giving, prospect identification, major gift solicitation, volunteer development, and communications.

Prior to her consulting work, Carol held senior fundraising roles including Dean of Development for St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School, Director of Development for Christian Brothers University, Director of Development for the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, and Endowment Officer at ALSAC-St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Prior to launching her career in fundraising, she served as a member of the faculty in the Department of Sociology at the University of Memphis and conducted marketing research consulting for FedEx. She earned both a master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Memphis.

Carol earned the CFRE in 1999. She has shared her fundraising expertise extensively through the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), both presenting at conferences and serving on the faculty of the CASE Workshop for Newcomers in Development and Introduction to Personal Solicitation.

SENIOR CONSULTANT
OXFORD, MS • 662-299-7171

In his 17 years as a fundraiser, Josh Whelan has helped nonprofit organizations across the sectors of education, healthcare, human services, and faith-based organizations raise more than $125 million for capital, annual, and endowment projects. His skills include campaign management, management training, strategic planning, board training and development, endowment and planned giving program development, prospect identification, major gift solicitation, event planning, and communications.

Prior to his consulting work, Josh held positions as Senior Area Director for FOCUS, where he played a key role in a $250M comprehensive campaign, managed a third of the United States, and led a team of major gift officers. Prior to FOCUS, Josh was Vice President of Palmer Home for Children in Hernando, MS, where he managed a comprehensive development program, led a team of major gift officers, and led a feasibility study and comprehensive capital campaign. Josh has also held positions in the healthcare development field as Assistant Director at Delta Health Alliance and in higher education as Development Officer at the University of Mississippi Office of Development.

Josh has shared his knowledge and expertise in campaign management, development team management, major gift fundraising, and planned giving through presentations at the Petrus Development Conference for multiple years as well as at multiple virtual summits and conferences across the country.

Josh holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Psychology and a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from the University of Mississippi.