Cincinnati-based Ignite Philanthropy has made a series of leadership changes, reshaping the C-suite of the philanthropic advisory company as it continues to grow locally and expands operations in Charlotte.
Among the moves are the promotion of Tara Noland to president and Will Lester to COO. The company, founded in 2013, also tapped Meggie Herrlinger to oversee the North Carolina market as vice president.
Noland, who served as the founding executive director for the GreenLight Fund in Cincinnati, joined Ignite in 2020 as vice president of nonprofit services overseeing fundraising and strategy consulting. As president, she will oversee all nonprofit and foundation client services.
With this leadership transition, Noland also joins CEO Scott Provancher and Teresa Hoelle, senior vice president of communications and culture, as a co-owner.
Lester joined Ignite Philanthropy in 2022 when the company acquired his data and analytics firm, Blue Fox. In his new role, he’ll also oversee human resources, finance and operations.
Herrlinger, a North Carolina native, joins Ignite Philanthropy from EverTrue, where she was VP of customer success. She has over 15 years of experience in fundraising, customer success, operations and relationship management.
“I am excited to lead the company into a new chapter of growth and innovation,” said Noland. “By leveraging the unique talents of our growing team and Ignite’s regional insights and trusting relationships, we are poised to continue to deliver transformational outcomes for our clients and the communities we serve.”
Building deeper connections locally and afar
Ignite Philanthropy – a for-profit company – provides fundraising, strategic counseling and grantmaking services to private donors, nonprofit organizations and charitable foundations.
Provancher, the company’s founder, said the moves are necessitated by the company’s growth in recent years. Its revenue increased from $2.2 million in 2020 to $4.7 million in 2023. Its full-time employees grew from 12 in 2020 to 30 in 2024.
Local efforts have included raising $83 million to renovate historic Music Hall and over $9 million to expand gender-based programming for the nonprofit Women Helping Women.
Provancher said these last hiring moves will enable Ignite Philanthropy to “deepen our impact in the Greater Cincinnati region” while scaling up operations in Charlotte.
In 2023, Ignite Philanthropy helped raise over $70 million in philanthropic support for its nonprofit clients, including those in Charlotte, and supported its foundation clients to grant $16 million to hundreds of nonprofit organizations.
Provancher is a past president of the Arts & Science Council in Charlotte.
Prior to formally expanding to the Charlotte market, Ignite had led several fundraising campaigns, including helping to raise $40 million to support arts and culture organizations through the THRIVE campaign. Currently, Ignite is leading an endowment campaign for the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture and working with Carolina Farm Trust to build a sustainable local food system that benefits the entire Charlotte region.
“I am excited to lead the company into a new chapter of growth and innovation,” Noland said.
“Tara, Will and Meggie have the experience, expertise and proven track record to ensure our clients meet their business objectives and advance their missions,” Provancher said.
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