About Us

I am Frank Canning and I am the principal consultant for Smoke jumper Nonprofit Consulting. I am passionate about helping nonprofit organizations chart their course, address challenges and seize opportunities. As a seasoned nonprofit professional I have over 40 years of experience in management and fundraising,  I earned the name " The Smoke Jumper" from my supervisor several years ago. I am proud of the nickname. While working at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as an Interim Executive Director,  I would go into various situations (both good and bad) and hit the ground running to address major issues, keep a high functioning chapter on track or just calm everyone down!  Always, I was protecting the organization and the  mission.

I have learned through  consulting with different nonprofits, that whether your organization is doing well or struggling, most organizations can benefit from having an experienced professional come in from the outside and assess the organization and ask questions, make observations and offer suggestions. 

I bring a strong work ethic, professionalism,  a great deal of experience and maybe  a little humor as I partner with you to help refocus your organization as we go into 2022 and beyond.

A little background on me: I was born and raised on Long Island. Starting in 1980, I worked for the Easter Seal Society in Houston, Texas for 6 years and then The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for 32 years. I was in a field management role in the national office at LLS for 25 out of my 32 years there. 

I live in Columbia, South Carolina and am willing to travel. In fact, I have found it to be very helpful to visit clients and learn about their organization, meet with their staff and volunteers and constituents face to face. This way I am able to do a more accurate and in depth assessment and we can address issues and go after opportunities. 

All through my life I have found helping other people to be  one of the most rewarding things there is. I was very fortunate to have a career where this was incorporated into my day to day life. I look forward to continuing  this journey, as I will be in a supportive role consulting and helping others.