About Ignite

Effective philanthropy is achieved through well-orchestrated partnerships among community stakeholders, philanthropists and non-profit organizations that align interests and financial resources toward a common outcome. Aspiring to maximize the power of giving, Ignite Philanthropy works with private donors and non-profit organizations to leverage their resources and ideas to achieve greater impact in the communities they serve.

The Ignite Philanthropy team is led by former non-profit and private sector executives that have decades of experience in all aspects of philanthropy including grantmaking, project assessment, fundraising, research, strategic planning, communication and project management. Our diverse experience gives Ignite Philanthropy an unparalleled ability to advise and support our foundation, corporate, family and non-profit clients in their quest to achieve positive change across the globe.

Ignite Philanthropy also challenges itself to develop new and innovative ways to leverage resources among our clients and community partners—a unique skillset that stretches beyond the traditional silos of fundraising and grantmaking consulting. Creativity, passion, empathy and deep industry knowledge are the tenets of the Ignite Philanthropy approach to developing solutions and results for our clients.

Ignite Philanthropy was formed when two leading Cincinnati-based philanthropic consulting firms merged in October of 2016. Lewis & Clark Co., founded and owned by Scott Provancher, acquired Ignite Philanthropy Advisors, LLC from Susan Ingmire.

Lewis & Clark Co. helped raise more than $150 million for non-profit organizations and community projects since its founding in 2013. Ignite Philanthropy Advisors, LLC facilitated and managed nearly $10 million in charitable grants annually and provides advisory services for a variety of private foundations and philanthropists since its founding in 2009. BeneFactors, LLC, the predecessor of Ignite, was founded by Penny Friedman in 1997.

Ignite Philanthropy now integrates all aspects of philanthropy into a suite of offerings under one roof, including fundraising consulting, grantmaking and foundation management, community and non-profit sector research, strategic planning and project management.

Our Team

Scott Provancher

President
& CEO

Rachel Ahrnsen

Manager, Non-Profit Services

Susan Casey

Director, Non-Profit Services

Tyler Collins

Data Analyst, Data Services

Larry Daniels

Manager, Non-Profit Services

Rita DiBello

Manager, Non-Profit Services

Sharlene Finkelstein

Accounting & Operations Manager, Philanthropic Services

Jessica Fitzpatrick

Manager, Non-Profit Services

Penny Friedman

Senior Advisor

Simoan Grier

Associate, Non-Profit Services

Taryn Imwalle

Operations Associate

Amanda Hemann

Vice President, Client Operations

Teresa Hoelle

Senior Vice President, Communications & Culture

Emma Kamrass

Manager, Non-Profit Services

Will Lester

Chief Operating Officer

Leshia Lyman

Vice President, Non-Profit Services

Jamie Markle

Associate Vice President, Philanthropic Services

Kate Morris

Program Officer, Philanthropic Services

Kirby Neumann

Vice President, Non-Profit Services

Tara Noland

Senior Vice President, Non-Profit Services

Isabel Perez

Software Support & Analytics Manager

Patrick Points

Director, IT

Laura Reece

Associate Vice President, Learning & Development

Leslie Stevenson

Associate Vice President, Non-Profit Services

Annie Vargas-Stewart

Client Coordinator

Daniel Tonozzi

Program Officer, Philanthropic Services

Rachel Trujillo

Director, Human Resources & Operations

Miranda Walton

Executive Team Manager

Brianna Williams

Associate, Non-Profit Services