After more than 25 years of serving industry demands by augmenting in-house positions with work as a freelance consultant, Jeff established Sodowsky & Associates and moved full-time into the consulting arena. 

 

Jeff pairs experiences from the arts, healthcare, education and social service sectors with a strategic framework tailored for each of his clients. He aligns approaches as a consultant, in-house professional, board member and donor to ensure solutions address the variety of perspectives that may be called for. 

 

Skilled at international nuances in fundraising, Jeff has navigated charitable landscapes that are site-specific as well as those that are provincial or national in scope. He has led large teams and helped grassroots organizations in optimizing modest resources. In every instance, success has been the direct result of understanding the unique circumstances, cultures, values and opportunities that were present.

 

Jeff’s consultancies have focused on multi-million-dollar campaigns, training and governance reviews, developing new giving programs, interim leadership, solicitor training, and mentorship of fund-raising personnel. He has led in the development of strategic directions as well as in managing through cutbacks and crises. Jeff holds a Master of Arts degree in Arts (non-profit) Administration as well as a Master’s in Business Administration. He is a CFRE (Certified Fund-Raising Executive) and served as a Vice-President and mentor for the Greater Vancouver chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). He has mentored with Canada’s Business for the Arts and served on the executive for the Greater Vancouver chapter of Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP).

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Past in-house roles have included serving as the Chief Development Officer for BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre Foundation, Interim VP of Advancement for Thompson Rivers University, Executive Director for Opera Cleveland, Acting General Director and Chief Development Officer for Vancouver Opera, Education and Development Specialist for American Ballet Theatre, Director of Education for Louisville Ballet, Educator for National Faculty, Public Relations Assistant for the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Program Coordinator for the Kentucky Center for the Arts and Finance Director for a successful US Congressional campaign. In 2018, Jeff accepted the invitation to become the Pacific Vice President for Global Philanthropic Canada.