Meet Jake

A smiling man with a beard and bald head wearing a light gray blazer and a white shirt, standing in a well-lit indoor setting with blurred circular and rectangular window shapes in the background.

Jake Gustafson, MBA, is an executive leader, social entrepreneur, and builder of high‑impact ventures with more than two decades of experience leading transformational fundraising, cross‑sector partnerships, and organizational growth.

Jake has raised hundreds of millions in philanthropy, led teams of all sizes, and built new business lines that have reshaped how organizations engage communities. As Chief Development Officer at Mary’s Place, he led the most successful fundraising year in organizational history — $42.5M — while driving a major capital campaign and transforming board engagement. At Seattle Children’s, he helped grow annual revenue from $100M to $183M, launched the region’s first comprehensive sports philanthropy program, and completed a $1B campaign one year early.

Jake is also the co-founder of Zuma Water, a premium spring water brand packaged in 100% recyclable aluminum bottles and created to generate sustainable revenue for Doug Baldwin’s Family First Community Center. Zuma is a model for how social enterprise can fuel long‑term community impact.

Before entering the nonprofit and social impact sector, Jake served as an Officer in the United States Coast Guard, where he learned to lead under pressure, operate with integrity, and build teams that perform when it matters most.

Today, through Impact Elevated Consulting and Impact Sports Philanthropy, Jake partners with nonprofits, athletes, and purpose‑driven brands to unlock transformational revenue, build powerful partnerships, and create measurable community impact.

Who I Am

  • Lead with People, Build with Purpose.

    The work always starts with people - their stories, their strengths, their hopes, and the systems they’re navigating. I build strategies that honor lived experience and create space for everyone to contribute.

    Clarity First, Momentum Second.

    I bring clarity to complex situations. The approach is simple - Get aligned. Get organized. Get moving.

    Strategy Rooted in Relationships.

    Relationships are the engine of impact. Fundraising, partnerships, engagement - none of it works without trust.

    Build What Doesn’t Exist Yet.

    When a gap exists, we fill it. When a system needs to evolve, we redesign it. When a new opportunity emerges, we create the structure to support it.

    Cross-Sector.

    I connect people who don’t normally sit at the same table - and that is where the magic happens.

  • I partner with organizations and leaders who want to think bigger, move faster, and create meaningful change. My work sits at the intersection of:

    • Transformational fundraising

    • Sports philanthropy

    • Social enterprise development

    • Corporate and community partnerships

    • Organizational leadership and culture

    • Mission‑aligned business strategy

  • Because I don’t just advise — I build.

    I’ve led teams of all sizes, raised hundreds of millions in philanthropy, launched new business lines, and created partnerships with Fortune 500 companies, professional sports franchises, and community organizations.

    I bring the experience of a C‑suite leader, the mindset of an entrepreneur, and the heart of a community builder.

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