Alan Hutson's fundraising career began at the first-floor mailbox of a Monument Avenue apartment house 11 years ago. At the box he met his neighbor, Jeffrey Wilt, who became his business partner.

The two men had lunch to discuss Wilt's fundraising business, the Monument Group. Hutson joined the company, which helps nonprofits such as the Art League, Virginia Planned Parenthood and William Byrd Community House find money.

Over time Hutson's skills became so refined that he was invited to Durban, South Africa, to advise on charity fundraising. His nominator says he stayed an extra week to perform pro bono work. Hutson plans to return to that country next year. “They have the most amazing hospitality of anywhere I have been,” he says.

Hutson, who grew up in Ohio and North Carolina, has a degree from Davidson College. His career brought him to Richmond where he volunteers for groups, such as the 1708 Art Gallery, as many as four nights a week. During his time on the Circle Center Adult Day Services board, he helped the agency develop a strategic and business plan. The point, he says, is that you can't teach philanthropy without doing it.

For fun, he climbs rocks indoors and out, attends local cultural events and strolls the Fan, where he lives. “I love art galleries, First Fridays and the Barksdale” Theatre, he says.