Jim Fisher’s colleagues refer to him as the “gold standard” of fundraisers, those professionals who can be found at the heart of every nonprofit organization in the Lowcountry. In recognition of his three decades of service, success, leadership and volunteerism in the greater Charleston community, Fisher will be recognized as the first recipient of the “Outstanding Professional Fundraiser" award at the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) S.C. Lowcountry chapter’s celebration AFP’s 50th anniversary June 21.

William J. "Jim" Fisher is currently vice president for development and alumni affairs at the Medical University of South Carolina, where he has served for over 31 years. Under Fisher's leadership, the university's professional development staff has grown from three members to 45 while philanthropic support has grown from about $450,000 per year to more than $70 million. MUSC's most recent $300 million Capital Campaign is concluding well ahead of goal and a full year ahead of schedule.                                                                                                                                 

“Jim represents the ideal fundraising professional, serving as a bridge to connect those in need with those who can help,” said AFP Lowcountry Chapter President Becky Dornisch.  “His intellect, integrity and dynamic leadership has benefited our community both as a professional fundraiser and as an active volunteer himself.”

But don’t get the impression that Jim is just another “business suit” kind of guy.  As singer and guitarist for The Gin House Boys, Fisher has entertained Charleston audiences for more than 20 years with the sounds of classic rock and standard oldies in local clubs and at special events and weddings. Local venues include Charleston Place, Sunfire Grill, Iacofano's and Buffalo South.

A man of varied talents and interests, Fisher practices what he preaches to others about philanthropy. The consummate volunteer himself, Jim has served in leadership positions or been actively involved with numerous civic organizations including the Charleston County Planning Commission, the Carolina Youth Development Center, Water Missions International, Trident United Way, the Charleston County School of the Arts, the Charleston Governance Council, and the Nativity School Board.

“Fundraising professionals like Jim are agents of change for the betterment of our community,” Dornisch said. “Our work touches, changes and sometimes even saves countless lives in ways we may not even be aware of. ”

Having married his Charleston high school sweetheart, Fisher began his career in banking in Anderson, S.C. It wasn’t long, however, before he began to feel like he “needed something more personally fulfilling.” He returned to Charleston in 1979 and, despite his lack of experience in philanthropy, MUSC took a chance by hiring Fisher as its director of annual giving. The chance quickly began to pay off for MUSC when the fledgling department raised $444,000 his first year.

The local AFP chapter received a number of outstanding nominations for this first-time award, said Judy Almand, awards chairman. The local chapter narrowed nominations to the top two, which were then sent to the Chicago AFP chapter for validation. “They overwhelmingly agreed that Jim’s career demonstrated the best in fundraising ethics and practices,” Ahlmand said.

“The many support letters for Jim’s nomination all cited that his real strengths are his integrity and the dignity and professionalism that he brings to the profession of fundraising,” Almand said.

In his letter of support for Fisher’s nomination, colleague Terry Stanley said, "Throughout the chapter's 15-year history, Jim has encouraged his colleagues at MUSC and beyond to become involved, to invest in professional development and serve as leaders and mentors for the profession."

Fisher has also served as a delegate to the AFP National Assembly and is an active member of several national professional organizations, including the  Association for Healthcare Philanthropy, Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, and the Association of American Medical Colleges. He has served as faculty, program chair and moderator at many of these organizations' national and regional conferences.

AFP International was founded June 21, 1960. Fisher was instrumental in founding the local chapter 15 years ago and served as its inaugural president.  Fisher is also credited for initiating National Philanthropy Day in Charleston. Designed to raise awareness of the philanthropic opportunities and accomplishments in the Lowcountry, the celebration now has grown into Philanthropy Week in the Lowcountry, when, each November, nonprofits around the Lowcountry plan events and public awareness programs designed to recognize the spirit of giving in our community.