James Thomason
Strengthening nonprofits through community, leadership, development, and communications.
Selected Work
ABC Recovery Center, Indio
Aunt Rita's Foundation, Phoenix
Aunt Rita's Foundation, Phoenix
Improved gala attendance by 40% and doubled sponsorships in a single year. Partnered with Leadership Coachella Valley and local businesses to launch a multi-year comprehensive fundraising campaign. Managed communications, social media, public relations, and all fundraising efforts.
Aunt Rita's Foundation, Phoenix
Aunt Rita's Foundation, Phoenix
Aunt Rita's Foundation, Phoenix
Led Arizona's HIV grantmaking foundation as executive director. Fundraised for and developed an expansive portfolio of grants, reaching $541,000 distributed in 2022 alone. Created three unique programs focused on youth, minority populations, and the aging community. Managed a move from a 400 sq ft office to a 2,000 sq ft suite, including lease negotiation, office design, and a fundraising campaign that garnered $25,000 in donated furniture, equipment and supplies. Advocated legislatively.
Bank of America
Aunt Rita's Foundation, Phoenix
Bank of America
Spent over a decade climbing the ladder to Vice President in a specialized HR department supporting employees through loss, homelessness, domestic violence, and critical events. Led volunteer events for large departments (25 to 300 employees). Served as a volunteer company liaison to several local nonprofit relationships and worked with the Bank of America Community Foundation to review and approve local grant applications.
Press and Recognition
ABC Recovery Center Expansion
KESQ, April 2026. An evening news story covering the first look at ABC's new campus and our campaign partnership with Leadership Coachella Valley.
Office Doors: A Day with Jimmy Thomason
Frontdoors Magazine, January 2023. A day-in-the-life profile on leading a small HIV foundation, building the partner agency model, and why I keep email out of meetings.
All of Us Arizona Health Champion
Banner Health and the University of Arizona, June 2022. Named a community Health Champion for the NIH All of Us Research Program.
Phoenix Gay Men's Chorus Gala
Featured speaker, 2022. A few words on what gay men's choruses have meant to our community.
Moving Day at Aunt Rita's
Video coverage, May 2022. How a PR push around an office move brought in about $25,000 in donated furniture and supplies.
Named Executive Director of Aunt Rita's
Frontdoors Media, March 2021. The announcement of my appointment to lead Aunt Rita's Foundation, also carried by YourValley and the Daily Independent.
$230K Raised at AIDS Walk Arizona
Patch, 2022. Coverage of Aunt Rita's signature community event, also covered by The Foothills Focus and The Prescott Times.
Ending the FDA's Blood Donation Ban
KJZZ, The Show, February 2022. Interviewed on Congressman Greg Stanton's push to end the ban on gay and bisexual men donating blood.
Arizona's New HIV Testing Law
KJZZ, The Show, June 2022. Why a law expanding HIV testing in Arizona mattered, and how it could help slow the spread.
Waymo and Aunt Rita's Partnership Commercial
Waymo, December 2022. A commercial featuring Aunt Rita's Foundation's Experienced Escapades program for HIV+ people over 50.
Quoted by Congressman Greg Stanton
U.S. House of Representatives, February 2022. "The gay blood ban is not only outdated, but also discriminatory and shame-inducing."
World AIDS Day 2021 News Coverage
12News, December 2021. An interview focused on the blueprint HIV research gave the COVID-19 epidemic