Johns Hopkins University Athletics

Updated: October 9, 2026

Grant Kelly currently serves as the Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Development for the Johns Hopkins Department of Athletics. In his role, he oversees the Johns Hopkins Athletics fundraising program (Blue Jays Unlimited), the annual fundraising arm that provides support to all 24 Hopkins varsity intercollegiate athletic programs. He is responsible for all major giving; including capital, endowment, scholarship, and annual fund support and oversees a full-time staff of five members of the Blue Jays Unlimited team.

In addition, Kelly assumed a role as a sport administrator for the highly-successful Johns Hopkins volleyball, men's basketball and baseball programs in the summer of 2026.  In this role, he works closely with the head coaches of each of those teams on all aspects of program operation, including budget development, fundraising, competition scheduling and rules education

During Kelly’s time with Blue Jays Unlimited, the organization has raised over $75 million and he has led numerous campaigns focused on capital improvements and endowments for the department. Some of the key facility initiatives he has spearheaded include the opening of the Cordish Lacrosse Center and Babb Field at Stromberg Stadium, the renovation of Goldfarb Gymnasium, the Newton White Athletic Center Natatorium, the Johns Hopkins tennis facility and the Blue Jay football facilities. In addition, the locker rooms for all 24 Johns Hopkins varsity athletic teams have undergone complete renovations in the last 10 years with Kelly and his team providing full fundraising support for each of those spaces.

Beyond facilities, 17 programmatic endowments were established under Kellys’ watch.   The most recent additions include, the naming of the men's lacrosse head coaching position in honor of Alexander Kuehl, the Robert Babb Endowment Fund, the Jeffrey Ma Shiu & Emily Liu Mental Health & Wellness Fund, and the Barber Fund for Athletics Sports Performance.
 
In 2017, Kelly was selected as the College Division Fundraiser of the Year by the National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD). His award was one of four that NAADD presented on June 14, 2017 at the Learfield Directors' Cup Luncheon, held in conjunction with the 52nd Annual NACDA & Affiliates Convention at the World Center Marriott Resort in Orlando, Florida. Kelly recently completed a term as the President of NAADD (2025-26) after serving as a member of the NAADD Executive Committee for several years.
 
Kelly joined the staff at Johns Hopkins in 2006 as the Development Coordinator. Since then, he has held every position within the Blue Jays Unlimited office and ascended the ranks to now oversee the organization. Prior to his arrival at Johns Hopkins, Kelly attended the University of Massachusetts and earned a degree in English. He currently resides in Lutherville, MD with his wife, Laura, and son, Tate.