The CapDev Story

Building strong and lasting relationships has been at the heart of CapDev since our founding.

Making Nonprofits Better Since 1984

For decades, CapDev has been empowering nonprofit organizations throughout the Southeast to fulfill their missions to make the world better. We do this by helping our clients build sustainable, inclusive, relational philanthropy and by connecting them with dynamic leaders through our comprehensive development, campaign and search services.

Our History

CapDev was founded in Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1984 as Bennett & Associates and was focused initially on political fundraising. This timeline provides an at-a-glance accounting of CapDev’s history and evolution over the years.

1984

John Bennett starts Bennett & Associates in Raleigh, NC

1986

Name changed to Capital Consortium; focus shifts to serving the nonprofit sector

1988

Published the first philanthropic giving directories, which become the nation’s definitive source for foundation giving

1994

Allan Burrows recruited and appointed vice president

1996

Name changed to Capital Development Services; geographic reach expanded to the Southeastern United States

Mid-1990s

Executive search services division launched

2006

Allan Burrows named president; John Bennett, chair. Ann Bennett-Phillips hired as vice president

CapDev moves to Winston-Salem, NC

2022

Allan Burrows named CEO; Ann Bennett-Phillips named president; Clare Jordan named vice president

Our CapDev Counsel is wonderful and has meant everything to the museum and this campaign. Our success is due to their experience, guidance and support, every step of the way.

Bonnie Smith, retired Director of Development, NC Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh NC

We were in the early stage of a stalled and disorganized campaign. CapDev stepped in and helped us really refocus, reorganize, and re-energize our campaign, which eventually resulted in the largest ever successful capital campaign of any independent school in our area. They meet you where you are and help you get where you want to be.

Dr. Ned R. Murray, Headmaster, Episcopal Day School, Augusta GA

CapDev has been a wonderful partner in Lower Cape Fear Hospice’s successful capital campaigns starting twenty years ago with the original Dr. Robert Fales hospice care center in Wilmington. Today we have 3 hospice care centers, a lovely Heritage Garden and a home office. Because of CapDev’s positioning and planning we were able to benefit from on the leadership and generosity of our communities and are better able to serve our patients and families.

Laurie Taylor, former Vice President of Development, Lower Cape Fear Hospice, Wilmington NC

Since 1984, CapDev has been invested in the mission of each of our clients, becoming an integral member of their organization and sharing in the passion for their cause. It is this close relationship we have with our clients that is the foundation for our success.

John Bennett, CapDev Founder