Meet Our Giving Team

What We Do

The Development Office of the Supreme Council supports the financial needs of both the Scottish Rite Foundation, Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A., Inc., and the House of the Temple Historic Preservation Foundation, Inc., while also assisting Orients (states or geographic regions) and Valleys (chapters) with their philanthropic efforts.

Great membership benefits to all Scottish Rite Masons in the Southern Jurisdiction is our partnership with Freewill and access to knowledgeable Donor Officers who are available to provide information on opportunities to support the charitable works of our fraternity. We coordinate programs that provide scholarships and grants, treat childhood language disorders through the RiteCare Scottish Rite Childhood Language Program, and give relief for natural disasters. We also coordinate the Adopt-a-Book program, Scottish Rite Friends Dinners, and annual mailings. We also work to serve our donors and maintain the Supreme Council Donor Recognition Program.

Meet the Development Office

Phil Shortt, 32°

Director of Development

[email protected]

Office: (202) 777–3143

  • All Programs and Campaigns
  • General Inquiries

Steve Banowit, 32°, KCCH

Donor Officer (East)

Includes: DC, KY, MD, NC, SC, TN, VA, & WV

[email protected]

(202) 777–3183

  • Consulting
  • Valley & Orient Support

Mitchell Hensley, 33°

Donor Officer (South)

Includes: AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, FL, & TX (Galveston, Houston, & Rio Grande)

[email protected]

(501) 428–4500

  • Consulting
  • Valley & Orient Support

Richard Nowacki, 32°, KCCH

Donor Officer (West)

Includes: AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI & Guam, ID, NV, NM, OR, UT, & WA

[email protected]

(971) 319–0499

  • Consulting
  • Valley & Orient Support

Gary Unger, 33°

Donor Officer (Midwest)

Includes: IA, KS, MN, MO, MT, ND, NE, OK, SD, WY, & TX (Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Lubbock, San Antonio, & Waco)

[email protected]

(402) 651–9710

  • Consulting
  • Valley & Orient Support

Caitlyn Kent

Program Coordinator

[email protected]

(202) 777–3111

  • Acacia Guild
  • Adopt-a-Book Program
  • Matching Gift Programs
  • Sphinx of Wisdom Program
  • Tax Letters
  • General Concerns

Ying Zhao

Program Coordinator

[email protected]

(202) 777–3196

  • Direct Mail Campaigns
  • Donor Records & Recognition
  • Tax Letters
  • Intendant of the Building Society
  • Planned Giving Programs
  • General Concerns