So....Who is this guy?
Over the years I've dipped into a number of exciting activities: Affordable Housing, Homelessness, Sustainable Living: Tiny Homes, Human Power - Bicycling, Composting Toilets, Greywater and so on..... I've been lucky with wonderful careers I loved in Cartography, Affordable Housing, Philanthropy, Nonprofit development, Teaching and more. I've managed to meld these great experiences with some great people into some insights and what makes a great quality of life. I deeply believe in living, and being, the change we want to see.
Oh yes.....FYI - Here's my requisite resume so far:
(I've been so lucky doing what I love!)
EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP | PROGRAM STRATEGY | CONNECTING COMMUNITIES
Experienced President, CEO and Executive Director with a proven commitment and expertise in strategic management. I am a change-agent, who has worked with diverse people, environments, and issues while relating well to key stakeholders.
CANTORI
Providing insights, advice and hands on work towards improving our quality of life on a 'pay what you wish, or pay it forward' basis.
President & CEO, Maryland Nonprofits, 2012- 2014
Headed one of the nations largest state associations of over 3,000 member organizations and those interested in making nonprofit work more effective with greater integrity.
Executive Director, Downtown Sailing Center, 2012
Leading the membership in a multitude of disabled, accessible, and community outreach programming for over 1,500 children and adults with a diverse staff that includes urban youth certified as sailing instructors.
Assistant Professor, Notre Dame of Maryland University, 2006 – Present
Teach Graduate students in Non-Profit Marketing, Grant writing and Fundraising.
Created a hands-on approach with actual grant applications and funding development
Curriculum development advisor
Executive Director, Marion I. & Henry J. Knott Foundation, 1999 –2012
Responsible for coordinating a 28+ member Board of Trustees and seven committees. Reviewed and approved over $2M in grant applications annually. Managed all business operations, including coordinating the creation of a first-ever strategic plan, a unique Cash Flow Loan and Discretionary grant programs, establishing a Leaders Circle funding initiative, and launching an online, and outcome-based grant process. Led staff members in providing grants to over 90 organizations annually. Streamlined grant review processes by implementing a Screening Committee and a Program Related Loan Committee. Piloted an Audit Insight process along with new decision-making transparency.
Executive Director, Light Street Housing Corporation, 1993 –1999
Created and implemented the strategic "Homelessness to Homeownership" continuum with a focus on providing jobs, housing, and recovery services. Raised funds, managed budgets, led staff in sustainable housing development. Strategically planned and implemented programs. Hired, trained, and managed more than 15 diverse staff members, many who were homeless themselves. Coordinated grants for funding and established many community partnerships. Adopted universal design in all projects.
Light Street now serves as the core program for Jobs Housing and Recovery, impacting hundreds of homeless in the city annually.
Collaborated with six other nonprofits in creating a seamless path from homelessness.
Created the vision for, leadership in, building Carrington House, a home for 54 men in recovery from homelessness. Applied for, and coordinated complex funding from 13 public sources: Federal, State, City and foundations.
President and CEO, Creative Housing Corporation, 1990 – 1993
Successfully ran this for-profit corporation committed to affordable, sustainable housing. Bought, rehabbed, rented, and sold dozens of homes in a blighted area within 3 years. Managed all business operations, including budgeting, pro-formas, establishing partnerships, and negotiation of contracts. Strategically planned marketing and sales.
Created a straightforward and effective rent-to-own process for first time buyers
Designed the homes and structured the often complex financing packages to make them affordable both to purchase and maintain.
Senior Cartographer, Defense Mapping Agency Hydrographic Topographic Center, 1987 – 1993
Specialized in GIS, nautical and hydrographic charting, and joint military operations mapping.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA), 2003, Loyola University
Bachelor of Arts in Geography, 1984, The University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Greater Baltimore Committee, The Leadership, 1999
Captain's License, 50 Ton Master of Auxiliary Sail
Authored Book Chapter:
Cantori, Greg. “Holistic Grantmaking.” Wise Decision-making in Uncertain Times: Using Nonprofit Resources Effectively. New York: Foundation Center, 2006.
Authored Articles:
Cantori, Greg. "Making the Most out of Site Visits." and "Maintaining a Great Relationship with Funders." Board & Administrator, for Administrators Only (2005/7). Print.
Cantori, Greg. "Riding Through Foundation Land." International Police Mountain Biking Association Journal (2005). Print.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Greater Baltimore Committee - The LEADERship
Business Volunteers Maryland
Association of Baltimore Area Grant Makers, Board Member
Baltimore Housing Roundtable, President
Green Funders Affinity Group Member
South Baltimore Improvement Committee, President
One Less Car - Bike Maryland, President Emeritus
Maryland Center for Community Development, Board Member
Baltimore Homeless Services, Task Force member
Faith Fund, Boardmember
Bearman Foundation, Advisory Boardmember
Influential Marylanders Award.
Task Force Chair in creating a regionally coordinated Emergency Grant Program.
Facilitated the Anne Arundel Community Foundation in creating a new 'Ladders to Success' grant program