Earl Granger, III is the head of The Executive Leadership Council’s development and impact initiatives. He is a member of The ELC’s leadership team and is responsible for leading the design and implementation of fundraising strategies, development communication, and community relations activities, to identify, cultivate, and steward new and existing funding sources and partnerships.
He brings more than 30 years experience in externally focused roles in education, non-profit leadership, and volunteer civic organizations. His work portfolio has been grounded in building relationships that improve and advance opportunities for individuals and organizations with a particular focus on inclusion, access, and resource development.
Earl led fundraising efforts at the world’s largest living history museum in Williamsburg, Virginia, leading the organization to three record-breaking fundraising years, including the organization’s first $100 million year. He secured transformational levels of funding for a variety of projects, including initiatives that supported a more inclusive American story.
Prior to that leadership role, he served as the associate vice president of development for a decade at his alma mater, William & Mary, where he was part of the leadership team that successfully completed a $1 billion fundraising campaign focused on scholarships.
Earl received his bachelor’s degree in Public Policy and master’s degree in Education from William & Mary.
He is a mentor for Men of Color in Development through the African American Development Officers Network and serves on the board of directors of Chesapeake Financial Shares, a community-based bank. He is also vice chair of the Williamsburg Health Foundation Board of Trustees.
Earl previously served on the Board of Trustees for the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management and president of the Hulon Willis Association (W&M’s African American alumni affinity organization). He speaks nationally at industry conferences.
He was recognized in 2020 by Virginia Business Magazine as one of the top 100 people you need to meet; Top 15 Leaders under 50 by the Greater Williamsburg (VA) Business Council in 2019; and received the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Opportunity and Inclusion Award in 2018.
