Adrienne Bellinger

Strategic nonprofit and government relations leader with 30+ years of experience driving organizational growth, funding success, and mission impact. Expert in grant strategy, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement, with a proven record of implementing new programs and strategies, securing multimillion-dollar funding, and architecting sustainable frameworks.

Bellinger Consulting & Grant Services LLC – Lexington, SC

Owner | 2021–Present

• Provide strategic consulting in grant services and fundraising for nonprofits 
• Develop toolkits that scale across client portfolios.
• Support clients to ensure sustainable growth.

Executive Director | 2019–2021

• Increased annual operating budget by 45% in one year; sustained growth despite COVID-19 disruptions.
• Secured federal and state funding, including a $200K annual SAMHSA award and an ORS pilot project.
• Launched South Carolina’s first Alternative Peer Group, expanding evidence-based adolescent recovery services.
• Elevated organizational visibility through strategic communications and stigma-reduction campaigns.

Chief Development Officer | 2013–2019

• Built diversified revenue streams through annual campaigns, giving societies, sponsorships, and crowdfunding.
• Consistently exceeded fundraising goals, increasing corporate, board, and event revenue year over year.
• Implemented CRM integration (Raiser’s Edge) to streamline donor management and reporting.

Regional Chief Development Officer | 2012–2013

• Directed team to exceed $5M annual fundraising targets, plus additional disaster-response funding.
• Oversaw major gift campaigns and introduced new annual giving programs.

Director of Institutional Giving / Executive Director | 2006–2012

• Completed $13.5M capital campaign in 36 months after years of stalled progress.
• Developed first strategic business plan for the Foundation and led annual planning cycles.
• Supervised lobbying and governmental affairs efforts, securing state appropriations.

Governmental Affairs Director | 1999–2006

• Represented 30+ clients in healthcare, higher education, and business sectors.
• Drafted legislation, built coalitions, and secured millions in state appropriations.
• Managed public affairs strategies and developed client policy documents.

University of South Carolina – Columbia, SC

Bachelor of Arts, Journalism (Advertising/Public Relations) | Minor: Psychology

• USC Alumni Academic Scholarship Recipient
• Edmund A. Ramsaur Writing Scholarship Recipient
• Dean’s List