Herb Soles, CFRE, IAP-L

Elevating Advancement Through Strategic Fundraising and Leadership Coaching

With decades of frontline development leadership and a reputation as a trusted coach and campaign strategist, Herb Soles helps schools build high-impact fundraising programs and confident leadership teams. His expertise spans every facet of advancement — from major gifts to volunteer engagement — and his guidance has helped schools raise hundreds of millions in support of their missions.

Areas of Focus

• Annual fund and major gifts campaigns
• Capital campaign planning and execution
• Fundraising strategy and case for giving development
• Leadership Coaching
• Volunteer and trustee engagement in fundraising

A Fundraising Leader With a Proven Track Record

Herb has served as an ISM faculty member since 2002 and joined as a full-time consultant in 2016. Herb leads consultations, workshops, webinars, and is a long-time Advancement Academy mentor. Whether guiding a school through a major campaign or coaching individual leaders, Herb brings practical wisdom, clarity, and motivation to every engagement.

Before joining ISM, Herb held senior development roles at several prestigious independent schools. At Norfolk Academy in Virginia, he played a key role in completing a $40 million campaign for endowment and a performing arts center, and later guided a $65 million campaign for campus improvements. His previous leadership at St. Stephen’s School, Flint Hill School, and St. Albans School resulted in successful campaigns ranging from $2 million to $15 million. At Saint Andrew’s School in Florida, he led an advancement program that raised more than $31 million in gifts and pledges.

Herb is also an experienced presenter and thought leader, having spoken at 21 national conferences for CASE, NAIS, and NAES. He chaired the 37th CASE-NAIS national conference and served for over six years as Chair of the CASE Circle of Excellence Awards for Independent Schools. He was also a longtime faculty member of the CASE Summer Institute for Independent School Advancement Professionals.

Herb earned his Leader (IAP–L) certification through ISM’s International Advancement Program and is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE). He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and completed graduate studies at Virginia Tech.