JOHN GASTON
Columbia
Summary
Dynamic former professional opera singer and current Minister of Music, now excelling as a Director of Development with a proven track record in professional relationship management. Expertise in strategic thinking and confidence facilitates the successful closure of significant and complex philanthropic commitments. Passionate about fostering authentic human connections, viewing institutional advancement as a means to inspire individuals to recognize the value of financially supporting organizations aligned with their values. Committed to creating impactful partnerships that resonate deeply with donors, enhancing community engagement and institutional growth.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Development
University of South Carolina-Darla Moore School of Business
07.2022 - Current
- Surpassed individual fundraising goal by securing $1,141,515 in new commitments achieving 114% of yearly target and earning an exceptional performance rating on annual review.
- Demonstrated strong collaboration across the Moore School and USC’s central development units. Worked closely with faculty, leadership, alumni, and volunteers to align fundraising efforts with academic priorities—most notably within the top-ranked International Business (IB) program.
- Collaborated with Central Development teams—Gift Planning, Annual Giving, and Corporate and Foundation Relations—to secure blended gifts and enhance complex proposals.
- Consistently utilized Blackbaud CRM to document all relevant donor interactions, prospect assignments, cultivation steps, and solicitation activities.
Director of Development for Institutional Advancement
Lenoir-Rhyne University
12.2020 - 06.2022
- Solely-raised $1.475 million in first year of development work (during Covid-pandemic) for academic, programmatic, and capital projects. Solely-raised $1.1 million in 2022–2023 academic year.
- Created Donor Pipeline to identify the top-rated 10% of 14,000 solicitor bowl alumni and friends. The pipeline now allows solicitors to identify 120 households for portfolio management and to indicate rising stars within the portfolios, but also which to place in the donor pipeline (using data from Blackbaud NXT). Pipeline aids in the ebb and flow of portfolio movement management.
- As part of the record-breaking fundraising at Lenoir-Rhyne University was one of three (1 of 3) gift officers to raise $19.3 million for academic, programmatic, and capital projects.
Development Officer for University Advancement
Winthrop University
04.2018 - 12.2020
- Solely raised $520,000 in new money in 2019 (highest amount raised of three Development Officers). Solely raised $385,000 in new money in 9 months (highest amount raised in Advancement team) the previous year.
- Created the Winthrop Leadership Society that encourages sustaining annual gifts based on a five-year-pledge from those persons identified as likely Major Gift candidates, as well as presenting opportunities within estate planning.
Development Coordinator for Winthrop Athletics
Winthrop University
10.2015 - 04.2018
- Responsible for restructuring of Membership benefits to the Winthrop Eagle Club. Led to a 400% increase in revenue streams for athletic fundraising.
- From January 2016 to April 2018 took Eagle Club from $92,000 annual giving to $550,000 annual giving (1 of 3 fundraisers).
- Leading up to this position, as Coordinator for the Forum on Leadership & Winthrop History Project: Responsible for raising funds for academically-based forum series on higher education discussion; Responsible for collection of interviews for oral history of Winthrop University. Interviewed 50 notable alumni and archived collection for publishing a book based on the project.
Minister of Music
Chester First Baptist Church
09.2013 - Current
- Director of Adult and Youth Choirs; Supervision of Youth Choir annual charity singing tours; Director of Handbell Choir; Leadership in Young Adult/Single devotion group.
Director of Choral Activities
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
01.2010 - 05.2013
Adjunct Professor of Voice
Lander University
08.2008 - 05.2010
Adjunct Professor of Voice
Erskine College
08.2006 - 05.2010
Education
Masters of Music - Vocal Performance
Manhattan School of Music
New York City, New York01.2005
Bachelors of Music - undefined
University of South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina01.2002
Skills
Strong oral, written and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups
Proven ability to develop relationships with leaders in a broad range of professions
Attending and presenting at alumni events, strengthening connections, and encouraging alumni support
Strategic vision to align fundraising with an organization's mission and long-term goals
Very strong organizational skills, tact, diplomacy, and very donor-centric
Thorough knowledge of principles and methods of gift planning and contributing to a comprehensive, large scale fundraising program
Proven track record of visiting and qualifying major and/or gift planning donors and cultivation towards large, significant gifts
Affiliations
- American Guild of Musical Artists
- Delta Tau Delta Fraternity
Timeline
Director of Development
University of South Carolina-Darla Moore School of Business
07.2022 - Current
Director of Development for Institutional Advancement
Lenoir-Rhyne University
12.2020 - 06.2022
Development Officer for University Advancement
Winthrop University
04.2018 - 12.2020
Development Coordinator for Winthrop Athletics
Winthrop University
10.2015 - 04.2018
Minister of Music
Chester First Baptist Church
09.2013 - Current
Director of Choral Activities
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
01.2010 - 05.2013
Adjunct Professor of Voice
Lander University
08.2008 - 05.2010
Adjunct Professor of Voice
Erskine College
08.2006 - 05.2010
Bachelors of Music - undefined
University of South Carolina
Masters of Music - Vocal Performance
Manhattan School of Music
Hobbies and Interests
Gamecock Football, Golf, Snow-skiing, Motorcycling, Cooking, Travel
Awards
2013 - Bentley Foundation Scholarship at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, 2005 - Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions National Semi-Finalist (disqualified due to prior engagement), 2002 - Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions State Winner (South Carolina), 2002 - Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions Region Encouragement Award, 2002 - Florida Grand Opera Young Apprentices of the Opera Competition Winner, 1997 - Greenville Country Pepsi Youth/High School Golf Scholarship, Full Scholarships to University of Colorado-Boulder; University of South Carolina (Tusiag Opera Fellow at University of South Carolina), Vocal Scholarship to the Manhattan School of Music
Noted Operatic Performances
- Opera Naples, Naples, Florida, 2013: Role of Oberon, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Britten)
- Boston Lyric Opera, Boston, MA, 2012: Season Gala Concert
- Congregation of Cathedral Theater Company, NYC, 2012: Role of Narrator, Judith (Ysaÿe; World Premiere)
- Boston Lyric Opera, Boston, MA, 2011: Role of Oberon, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Britten)
- Canadian Opera Company, Toronto, Canada, 2010: Role of Apollo, Death in Venice (Britten)
- New York City Opera, NYC, 2010: Role of Arsace, Partenope (Handel)
- The Atlantic Opera, Atlanta, GA, 2009: Role of Akhnaten, Akhnaten (Glass)
- Charlotte Symphony, Charlotte, NC, 2009: Role of David, Saul (Handel)
- Santa Fe Opera, Santa Fe, NM, 2008: Role of Radamisto, Radamisto (Handel)
- Pittsburgh Philharmonic, Pittsburgh, NE, 2008: Voice of the Swan, Carmina Burana (Orff)
- Florida Grand Opera, Miami, FL, 2008: Role of Giulio Cesare, Giulio Cesare (Handel)
- Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 2007: Role of Giulio Cesare, Giulio Cesare (Handel)
- Metropolitan Opera, NYC, 2007: Role of Belafario, Radamisto (Handel)
- The Atlantic Opera, Atlanta, GA, 2007: Season Gala Concert
- Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 2007: Role of Orfeo, Orfeo ed Euridice (Gluck)
- Metropolitan Opera, NYC, 2006: Roles of Giulio Cesio Cesare (Handel)
- Glimmerglass Opera, Cooperstown, NY, 2005: Role of Apollo, Death in Venice (Britten)
- The Juilliard School, Juilliard Center, NYC, 2005: Role of Oberon, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Britten) (Britten)
- Glimmerglass Opera, Cooperstown, NY, 2004: Role of Tito, Ilmenio (Handel)
- New York City Opera, NYC, 2004: Role of Orlando, Orlando (Handel)
- Glimmerglass Opera, Cooperstown, NY, 2003: Role of Niren, Orlando (Handel)
- Berkshire Academy of Music, NYC, 2003: Role of Siroe, Siroe (Handel)
- Manhattan School of Music, NYC, 2003: Role of Oberon, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Britten)
- University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 1999: Piece for Countertenor and Orchestra, World Premiere of Pilgrimage (Kancheli)
- University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 1998: Role of the Son, In My Father’s Garden, World Premiere of Pilgrimage (Kancheli)
- University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 1997: Role of Oberon, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Britten)
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