Jackson Cooper is a nationally recognized leader with over 15 years of experience advancing equity, innovation, and sustainability in the nonprofit sector, with experience being a Nonprofit Executive Director, Fundraiser, Nonprofit Consultant, and Nonprofit Board Advisor in full-time and consulting roles. His work spans nonprofit fundraising, executive leadership, and nonprofit board advisory services, having held leadership roles at the American Genre Film Archive, Mary’s Place Seattle, Pacific Northwest Ballet, the North Carolina Museum of Art, North Carolina Theatre, PlayMakers Repertory Company, and the Town of Cary.

Jackson’s approach to fundraising and executive leadership is rooted in the belief that strategic planning, philanthropy, and the power of giving can transform organizations and society. He’s led strategic planning processes, fundraising program development, team/operations management, corporate and government giving campaigns, and board management for nonprofits of various sizes across the arts/culture, social services, and higher education sectors. Equally comfortable bridging public/private sector support for nonprofits through government relations, Cooper represents Washington State’s 43rd District as a Washington State Arts Commissioner and has advised government and nonprofit leaders on policy and practices for greater community and stakeholder engagement.

He holds an MFA in Arts Leadership from Seattle University and created an interdisciplinary undergraduate Arts Administration degree while at UNC-Greensboro. He serves on the faculties of both universities, teaching fundraising, individual giving, and nonprofit leadership and has a forthcoming book on fundraising due out by Columbia Business School Publishing in 2026, co-authored with Hannah Grannemann. A practicing performing artist, he has produced over 150+ performing arts events including a filmed concert for PBS/UNCTV and enjoys running half-marathons, listening to Broadway musicals, cooking, and watching the latest horror movie.