A View from Both Sides.

Christopher Shearer

A seasoned grantmaking leader, Christopher Shearer has spent half his career in philanthropy and half in nonprofits. Most recently, Chris served a full 8-year term at the Education Program of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation from 2010-2018 working on its domestic deeper learning strategy. He served as a program officer, initiating a collaborative cadre of federal and state policy research and advocacy grantees, launching the program’s grantmaking portfolio in communications, and leading a new investment strategy for grantee capacity-building for diversity, equity, and inclusion. He also inaugurated the program’s annual convening of grantees. For eight years he managed strategic and written communications with Hewlett’s Board, including the Program’s annual budget memoranda. Chris served on several key cross-foundation working groups, most recently reenvisioning Hewlett’s annual performance review process. In 2017, Chris was appointed Hewlett’s interim Education Program Director, overseeing a team of eight staff awarding nearly $50 million annually to 120 active grantees.

Before joining the foundation, Chris served from 1997-2010 at the National Geographic Society Education Foundation as its grantmaking director and, ultimately, associate executive director, working in 45 states and in Canada to improve teacher professional capacity and measurable student outcomes. During his tenure, he launched a federal policy reform initiative, spearheaded an award-winning national communications and outreach campaign, oversaw introduction of systematic program monitoring and evaluation, and led a venture capital-style grantmaking fund. His past experience includes health care reform, cross-sector health and education collaboration, youth development, and environmental education; he previously staffed the President of the Pew Charitable Trusts on an interdisciplinary grantmaking fund.

Chris earned both his Master’s degree in English Literature and his undergraduate degree—a double major in Biology and English Literature—from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in his home town. He serves on the board of Oakland-based YR Media/Youth Radio. Chris lives in Boston with his wife, Elizabeth and their 70-lb “lap dog,” a yellow lab named Maggie.

Our Services »
Schedule a Free Consultation »

Our Office —
40 Woodward Street, Suite 2
South Boston, MA 02127
(703) 851-7155