Doug the Writer
Recognizing the value of words as the connecting points between hearts and minds, Doug Shaw wields his pen with compassion and grace. He’s not afraid to transparently share his own life lessons – often learned through challenges and mistakes – for the benefit of others.
From growing up in a home constructed from a Boeing packing crate, he learned the importance of hard work and generosity. His parents handed down a legacy of perseverance and resilience, and his own work experience awoke in him a heart to serve others with kindness and excellence.
These attributes shine through in his writing; Doug’s words do more than inform. They reach into the heart and offer a new way to see life, work, and each other. Doug doesn’t write to show how much he knows. He writes so you remember how much you matter.
Published Works
- Curative Culture – releasing September 23rd
- The Rules of Fundraising
- More Rules of Fundraising
- The Six Essentials of Rapidly Growing Nonprofits
Core Writing Themes
- Fundraising rooted in honesty and respect
- Leadership as compassionate stewardship
- Influence guided by ethical responsibility
- Recognizing the inherent worth in every individual
- Wisdom drawn from nature, life experiences, and faith
Doug the Leader
It was during college that Doug first began to develop a fledgling philosophy of leadership based on his growing discovery of purpose and meaning in his own life. Stirred by a friend’s questions about faith and belief, Doug began to sense that we were meant for something more and soon reconciled these struggles in relationship with his Creator.
Doug was embraced without condition by his friend’s community of faith, where he grew in his personal spiritual journey and began to develop a counter cultural vision of leadership. He realized that true leaders don’t rise above others. They walk beside them. True leaders do not seek power. They empower people. This shift in thinking led Doug to develop a leadership philosophy rooted in humility, service, and deep human connection.
Doug the Fundraiser
Doug has spent his life redefining what it means to fundraise with heart. For more than forty years, he has helped raise hundreds of millions of dollars for over 300 nonprofits and ministries. But his approach has never been about chasing dollars. It’s about building relationships on a foundation of trust, dignity and respect.
To Doug, fundraising is more than a profession. It’s a calling. A sacred opportunity to align purpose with generosity. His steadfast belief in doing what’s right—no matter the pressure—earned him the trust of leaders across the political and cultural spectrum. As a result, Doug was invited to collaborate with and host events alongside:
- President Ronald Reagan
- George and Barbara Bush
- Lloyd Ogilvie
- James and Susan Baker
- Art Linkletter
- J.C. Watts
These moments were reminders that when we lead with integrity, doors open that no résumé alone could unlock. Doug’s message, whether delivered from a stage or across a small table, is unwavering: Generosity isn’t about numbers. It’s about people.
When we give with honesty, when we connect with empathy, when we lead with purpose, giving becomes transformative. It uplifts the cause, honors the giver, and inspires everyone it touches. That kind of generosity doesn’t just change the world. It reflects the best of who we are.
Education
- B.A. in History, Simpson University
- M.A. in Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary
Personal Life
When Doug is not in his study writing and referencing his library of books, you can find him out in nature. He has learned much about the natural world from the native tribes of the Pacific Northwest, and it is here that he feels closest to his Creator.
Often Doug is in wading boots, casting a line into a quiet rocky stream. Fly fishing takes him to rural environments where he enjoys listening to the birds, observing the behavior of the fish, choosing a fly, and catching and releasing trout back into the current.
Doug and his wife Kathryn live in northwest Washington state and enjoy boating in US and Canadian waters, where they explore the wonders of Creation. This is also where Doug & Kathryn meet some of the friendliest people, many of whom have become longtime friends. They love entertaining family and friends, introducing them to the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
