John M. Williams – Commissioner, MasterMinds
Official Biography

John Williams, Commissioner of MasterMinds Agency, has devoted his career to helping nonprofits build resources, strategy and impact. For more than 12 years, he has fundraised and created media opportunities for nonprofits in international affairs, arts and culture, education, health, and youth services. His particular areas of expertise in fundraising and marketing are:

• Corporate, foundation and government fundraising, including crafting winning proposals and budgets for:   Department of State; National Endowment for the Arts; National Endowment for the Humanities; Department of Education; Department of Health and Human Services; Department of Justice; and the Corporation for National and Community Service.
• Direct mail campaigns
• Media relations
• Print and electronic publications
• Website development
• Special events
• Sponsorship marketing
• Staff, board, and volunteer partnership in fundraising
  

Prior to co-founding MasterMinds, John was Director of fundraising programs at AFS Intercultural Programs/USA, the world’s oldest and largest international education, exchange and youth leadership organization and also served as Director of Development at the Hippodrome State Theatre in Florida. John has created funding partnerships with a number of prominent companies in the United States, including Travelzoo, Cargill, Ford Motor Company, MetLife, Prudential, Sony Electronics, and DaimlerChrysler; and has secured millions of dollars in major individual and federal government grants.

John earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Florida.  He is a long-standing member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and has conducted fundraising and marketing workshops and trainings throughout the United States and internationally.