Stephen “Steve” D. Willmont, CFRE, Senior Vice President
Steve Willmont is a senior vice president with Netzel Grigsby Associates who directs major capital campaigns, feasibility studies, development planning and training activities for a wide spectrum of nonprofit organizations throughout California primarily in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
Steve believes that strong nonprofit agencies make for a strong community, and he is committed to building strong nonprofit staff and volunteer leadership teams. Steve brings the experience of over 30 years of professional nonprofit management to his clients. He has led successful capital campaigns, board development programs, annual fundraising campaigns, volunteer and staff development training, and planned giving programs. Steve has recently completed campaigns with multiple Boys & Girls Clubs and Laguna Blanca School in Santa Barbara raising over $20 million, and has also worked with organizations like the YMCA, Manna Conejo Valley Foodbank, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Solvang Senior Center, West Valley Food Pantry, and the Western Justice Center among others.
Prior to joining NGA, Steve served as president & CEO of California YMCA Youth & Government where he worked extensively with the California legislature to increase support for the Y’s program. Under his leadership, the program grew to over 90 YMCAs in the state, serving over 3,500 students. He has also served as executive director and program director at multiple YMCA branches. His extensive expertise as an instructor and presenter, serving as a director of several training events for the YMCA of the USA and regional Y trainings, has led to successful current training roles with the Center for Nonprofit Leadership and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Training topics have included annual development plans, year-end appeals, the non-profit board’s role in fundraising, and board development.
Steve is a Certified Fund-Raising Executive and a past president of the Board of Directors for the Association of Fundraising Professionals Santa Barbara/Ventura Counties Chapter. He has been an active member of Optimist International in both northern and southern California, serving as District Lt. Governor and Club President. He is a Lifetime Optimist Member and has been honored as Optimist of the Year.
Steve graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Occidental College in Los Angeles.