Describe How You Would Like To Be Introduced Via Email
John Short is the owner of Mission Partners, a consulting firm for nonprofits. If you need to increase your revenue, update or redefine your mission and vision, add new board members, or embark on a capital campaign, you should connect with him. Mission Partners can help you advance your mission to make a lasting social impact with a team that has raised over $700M for nonprofits.
What is your "why"? Why do you do what you do?
My why comes from my core values of faith, family, integrity, and making a difference. I am driven to facilitate connections between individuals requiring assistance and those who have the resources to fulfill their needs. My mission is to empower nonprofit executives and board members to achieve their strategic goals, enabling them to advance their mission and make a greater impact in their communities.
Qualifying Questions: What are three questions we can ask clients to help pave the way for a referral? List them here.
1) Are you having challenges with driving enough revenue to fulfil your mission?
2) Do you have a plan for meeting your revenue growth objectives?
3) Do you have a current strategic plan that meets the needs of your clients along with inspiring new donors?
Unique Selling Proposition
My unique selling proposition lies in my extensive experience in sales, business development and consulting spearheading multi-million-dollar projects and partnerships and driving substantial revenue growth. I'm adept at developing and implementing innovative approaches that help nonprofits raise funds and cultivate relationships to increase their impact. Mission Partners can help you advance your mission to make a lasting social impact with a team that has raised over $700M for nonprofits.
About me
I come from a small town in southern Minnesota called Elysian and grew up on lake Francis where I enjoyed water skiing, boating, and hanging out with family and friends. My mother worked for the US Postal Service and my father was a car salesman. They both loved people and helping others, which had a big influence on my life.
With a rewarding career spanning over three decades with three major technology companies including Intel, IBM and CommScope, I have accumulated extensive expertise in sales, business development, and consulting. Today, my journey is taking me from success to significance as the Principal and Owner of Mission Partners LLC, where I'm committed to utilizing my experience to empower nonprofit organizations in achieving their missions and creating lasting social impact. I am fortunate to have a strong mentor and business partner, Mark Germano, who has over 40 years of experience leading and consulting for nonprofits. Mark and I met while he was my professor at the University of Notre Dame where I studied Transformational Leadership of Nonprofits.
One of my true passions lies in nonprofit funding development. I've leveraged my skills to assemble dedicated volunteer teams, resulting in the successful raising of over $1 million in funds to support community health and welfare through organizations such as the Ridgeview Foundation, Love INC, Knights of Columbus, and Lions Club.
I've been married for 37 years to my wife Ronda. She is a dental hygienist in Waconia. We have four children, Phylicia, Kiersten, Kalley, and Kelsey. Unfortunately, Kalley and Kelsey passed away at a young age. To keep their memory alive we created the Kelsey and Kalley Short Memorial for young children with special needs or disabilities raising over $150K in our backyard with family and friends. Both Phylicia and Kiersten are married and we have two wonderful son-in-laws along with two grandsons. We enjoy spending time with all of them and are blessed to have our children live in Waconia.
I enjoy playing golf, hanging out near water, going to Gopher games, and traveling. I’ve been to Europe several times, China, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, India, Qatar, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, and Brazil. One of my favorite things to do is tailgate at the Gopher Football games with family and friends. One of my most memorable games was at the Outback Bowl in Florida on Jan 1, 2020 when the Gophers beat Auburn 31-24.
My academic background includes a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Minnesota State University - Mankato. Additionally, I hold an Executive Certificate in Transformational Leadership of Nonprofits from the University of Notre Dame and have undergone training in sales, consulting, and project management at IBM.
Favorite Quote “Your vision will become clear only when you look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.” Carl Jung
I enjoy playing golf, hanging out near water, going to Gopher games, and traveling. I love volunteering for community service and faith based organizations. I'm Past President of the Waconia Lions Club, Past Grand Knight of the Waconia Knights of Columbus, and current District Deputy for the Knights of Columbus.