Welcome to our latest edition of ‘Get to Know Fairmount Ventures’ a series of short Q+A’s with our team members, showcasing the many passions and personalities behind our firm.
Jacob Pritchard, Associate, supports resource development, capital campaigns, and nonprofit strategy on the Fairmount team. His development experience includes writing grants and soliciting and stewarding donations for a Connecticut-based human services organization and as part of a U.K. fundraising agency. Jacob earned a bachelor’s degree in International Development from Richmond, the American International University in London.
FV: From working at an international peace advocacy group to helping integrate disadvantaged communities with the business world, your experience is definitely diverse. Tell us about how your previous roles have influenced your work at Fairmount Ventures.
JP: My previous work really allowed me to learn about the challenges that nonprofits face in their day-to-day service deliveries. Being exposed to both large and small nonprofits all over the world has helped me understand that while there are definitely best practices and similarities to draw upon, the challenges that nonprofits face are individualized, so the solutions need to be as well.
FV: What do you like best about your work?
JP: I love that I get to do new things every day, and my work is constantly changing and challenging. From business planning, to resource development, to strategic planning, Fairmount’s services are comprehensive, so my work is diverse and always intellectually and professionally rewarding. I also love the team here at Fairmount – the firm is filled with incredibly intelligent, creative and hard-working people.
FV: You’re involved in a fair amount of research on behalf of clients. How does that process vary from client to client?
JP: In many ways, research is the foundation for Fairmount’s entire process. Research is not only crucial to understanding where the clients are and what’s on their minds, but also in determining what the external environment looks like and what that means to them. Qualitative research allows us to fully understand donor interests, foundation priorities and client needs, whereas quantitative research allows us to collect data in order to analyze trends, create budget projections and ensure that our work is grounded in facts. For each client, it’s essential to make sure that we tailor our process based on the specific questions that need answering.
FV: What do you love to do outside the office?
JP: I moved to Philly in July, so I spend a lot of my time exploring the city through (admittedly self-guided) beer and coffee tours. Philadelphia has some incredible coffee shops and roasters, and some of the best beer on the East Coast. I also love seeing live music and listening to comedy podcasts.