Welcome to Gray III Consulting
About Me
James Gray III is a seasoned, savvy, strategic consultant and talent recruiter with 40 years' experience raising money and executing marketing communications plans. Jim was a Morehead-Cain Scholar at UNC-Chapel Hill. The first 20 years of his experience have been in PR/Ad agencies in Atlanta and New York. He then made a 180 degree turn into education. He has been an associate dean for Duke’s Fuqua School of Business and after that associate dean of UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. And then five years as president of NC Wesleyan College. Jim opened Gray III Consulting in June 2014. He added nonprofit searches in 2023.
Services
Consulting and Workshops. Searches for executive directors, fundraisers, and communicators.
Fundraising Consulting
A nonprofit must have the financial resources to further its cause. You can rest assured that Jim can help your organization enhance and sustain donations. Whether he executes a feasibility study, leads the process for a strategic fundraising plan, mentors the board and staff on fundraising, enhances the annual fund, or manages a capital campaign— it is a strategic and wise investment.
Fundraising Workshops
Jim’s workshops are called “Going for the Gold.” Whether he trains development officers or executive directors, he give tips for success and fundraising “war stories” to illustrate his points. One workshop is aimed at board members who are expected to raise funds but don’t have any formal training in how to go for the gold. He answers questions such as, “How do I come to love fundraising? I hate asking people for money.” He shows attendees how to think through and write a powerful strategic plan for fundraising. And he shows you how to apply focused marketing communications to power the fundraising. He has developed two webinars about fundraising during and after COVID-19.
Marketing Communications Consulting
Your nonprofit’s brand can help your fundraising or hold it back. The way you communicate— from PR/publicity to logo to communications theme— can be the deciding factor in being able to raise enough money to fully pursue your goals. Jim is an expert in IMC (Integrated Marketing Communications) and how your organization looks and feels. If your IMC is strong, so will your fundraising. He teaches PR, advertising, and marketing at UNC's Hussman School of Journalism and Media.
Talent Searches
Nonprofits often need new executive directors, chief fundraisers, and strategic communicators. Jim leads those nationwide searches.
Quotables
"I want to bring a suitcase full of sparks to fundraising."
"Better Load Your Brain Before Shooting Off Your Mouth!"
"Money is the Root Of All Evil, and Nonprofits Needs Roots!"
James Gray III
UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School
Robertson Scholars Program
Wake Forest University Medical School
Delta Kappa Epsilon International
Durham Nativity School
Emerson Waldorf School
KIPP Schools Eastern NC
TROSA
Child Evangelism Fellowship
NC Pottery Association
The Jazz Workshop
Global Classroom Alliance
Salem College and Academy
Phi Espilon DKE
You Can Vote.Org
Psi Delta DKE
Jerry Richardson
Lenoir-Rhyne University
Shaw University Divinity School
NC Voter Project
United Negro College Fund
Client Experience Since Gray III Consulting Launched in June 2014
Contact Me
Mailing Address
312 Blackwell St. Suite 208
Durham, Durham County 27701
Office at American Underground
103 W Main St.
Durham, NC 27701
Email and Phone
(919) 597-1228