Shari Fox, CAP^®

Philanthropic Advisor

Whether Shari Fox is helping donors develop an entire plan and governance structure for multi-generational philanthropy, evaluating potential charitable projects, or advising on a specific significant gift, she partners with her clients to ensure they impact the change they wish to see in the world.

With more than 26 years’ experience leading planned, major, and principal gift programs at the University of Illinois, University of Michigan, University of Cincinnati, and local not-for-profit organizations, Shari helps individuals and families approach charitable giving strategically, intentionally, and effectively.  She also consults with nonprofit organizations to build or enhance their major and planned giving programs and develop their board’s effectiveness in support of their fundraising efforts

Shari is a graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and earned an MBA from Xavier University in Cincinnati.  She is a past chair of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners where she continues to serve on the Leadership Institute and is a current member of the Chicago Council on Planned Giving, Central Illinois Charitable Gift Planners, and Eastern Illinois Estate Planning Council.  She is a seasoned public speaker, presenting at multiple seminars and conferences at the local and national level.  Shari has earned a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy^® designation from The American College of Financial Services. 

Sharla Jolly

Fundraising Coach

Sharla enjoys working with non-profits to develop solid fundraising plans that can help them meet their long-term goals. She has more than 30 years of experience with communications, marketing and fundraising in higher education and nonprofit environments, making her a valuable resource for organizations establishing annual giving programs and seeking sustainable sources of philanthropic support.

Sharla currently serves as a Senior Development Manager for the American Cancer Society where she oversees the Coaches vs Cancer of Illinois event among other responsibilities.

She previously served as the Director of Leadership Giving at Carle Health where she managed several annual giving activities as well as the Carle Golf Open. She developed strategies with colleagues and implemented approaches that allowed them to meet annual goals. Before that, Sharla led the development team at Cunningham Children’s Home, successfully completing an $8.5 million capital campaign goal and increasing annual giving dollars by an average of 6% over 4 years. Sharla also worked in annual giving and stewardship at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Sharla takes a hands-on approach, coaching and teaching best practices while laying the foundation for a fundraising plan. Her colleagues and clients deepen their understanding of how to set goals, manage their donor data, implement a fundraising plan, and effectively communicate their organization’s mission.

Sharla received her Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcast Journalism from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. She has lived in the Champaign-Urbana community for more than thirty years and is very active in the community through the Association of Fundraising Professionals of East Central Illinois, the United Way of Champaign County, Rotary of Champaign and more. She and her husband have four adult children and a 7-pound dog named Jellybean.

Vanessa Faurie

Vanessa is retired after a 31-year career as an advancement professional at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she held several executive leadership positions in alumni relations and strategic communications. She has been a key participant and developer of numerous strategic planning initiatives for singular organizations, as well as complex, multi-unit systems. Vanessa has a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism and an MBA from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In her retirement, she serves on the governing boards of two nonprofit organizations in the Champaign-Urbana community and enjoys helping them evolve and thrive in their missions. Leisure time is spent with family and friends, enjoying music, movies, dragon boating, walking and traveling.