About Us
Shannon L. Watts, M.A., CFRE is Principal Consultant with Key Fundraising. Shannon works personally with every Key Fundraising client to help achieve their fundraising goals.
Born and raised in Lynchburg, Virginia, Shannon is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the University of South Carolina, where she received a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communications. Shannon earned her M.A. in Philanthropy and Development from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in 2024.
Shannon began her career in fundraising with the Louisiana Association for the Blind. Upon returning to Virginia, Shannon worked as Development Manager for Lynchburg Community Action Group and Executive Director of The Gateway. She earned her Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation in 2005 and has successfully recertified multiple times since then. Shannon began her career as a fundraising and development consultant in 2005.
Shannon is a Past Area Governor of Rotary District 7570 Area 5, Treasurer of the Virginia Fund Raising Institute (VFRI) Caucus, and a three-time President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Virginia Piedmont Chapter. She is also a two-time Past President of the Lynchburg Rotary Club. She also served as Co-Chair of the 2008 and 2013 Virginia Fund Raising Institutes.
