Preparing students and practitioners to lead effective fundraising programs, linking academic research and professional practice will be focus of role
Nonprofit leaders and development professionals will be prepared to propel fundraising success as a result of the Donald A. Campbell Chair in Fundraising Leadership at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IU Indianapolis.
The new endowed chair will be created with a $1.5 million gift from Donald A. Campbell, Jr., CFRE, founder of Campbell & Company, a leading national fundraising, marketing and executive search firm that he guided to national prominence. During his 45 years of campaign and development experience, Campbell has personally been associated with campaigns and programs that have generated more than $3 billion in philanthropy.
"Don Campbell is one of the pre-eminent leaders of the fundraising profession. His expertise and his commitment to advancing research, education and professional practice are reflected in our aspiration that the chair will teach leadership, guided by rigorous research, that can deliver results," said Amir Pasic, the Eugene R. Tempel Dean of the school. "We thank Don for his long-time support and for this generous gift, which will help equip students and practitioners to lead fundraising programs to success."
The chair holder will be a leading researcher and fundraising expert whose work will advance the knowledge and skills needed for fundraising and philanthropy professionals, executives and students to meet the challenges of bringing resources to the civic sector. The chair will conduct research, collaborate with The Fund Raising School at the school to incorporate recent research findings into its curriculum, and teach courses on raising funds from individuals and institutions such as foundations and corporations.
The holder of the chair will interact closely with fundraising and nonprofit professionals to share research findings and to understand their professional concerns, which will inform future research. Through the school's national and international network of scholars and professionals, the chair will enable more nonprofit leaders to become effective fundraisers while elevating the leadership readiness of fundraisers everywhere. The gift will be made from Campbell's estate.
"The best opportunity for joy is to sustain a personal passion by participating in the founding and evolution of the Center on Philanthropy into the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. It has been an extraordinarily heartwarming journey," Campbell said. "For me there could be no better legacy than to add to the school's remarkable success in advancing philanthropy in America and throughout the world."
Campbell served as the organizing chair of the Board of Governors for the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, the predecessor of the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. He was a member of the board for much of the organization's history and he is a valued, long-standing advisor. The center presented him with its highest honor, the Henry A. Rosso Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Ethical Fund Raising, and has recognized him with IU Indianapolis's Spirit of Philanthropy award.
"Don's dedicated leadership and service to the field of fundraising serve as an example for our students and for philanthropy leaders and fundraisers at all stages of their careers," said Gene Tempel, Founding Dean Emeritus of the school and President Emeritus of Indiana University Foundation. "From the beginning of our enterprise, he has shared our vision of a school that teaches and builds knowledge about professional, ethical and effective fundraising and philanthropy. We are grateful for his good counsel and for this gift, which will build upon and help perpetuate that shared vision."
A former two-term chairman of the national Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Campbell was honored with its Founder's Medallion for his many contributions to the association and the profession. AFP previously recognized him as its Outstanding Fund Raising Executive of the Year. He is a past president of AFP's Chicago chapter and recipient of its first President's Award for distinguished service to the fundraising profession.
Campbell began his career as executive director of the Fenn College Alumni Association (now Cleveland State University) and served as development director of the American Heart Association in Cleveland, Ohio. He was a regional director of the University of Michigan's $77 million campaign in 1964 and of Dartmouth College's $55 million campaign in 1966. He served as capital fundraising manager for Case-Western Reserve University and as vice president of Charles R. Feldstein & Company in Chicago before starting Campbell & Company in 1976.
Since retiring from active management of the firm in 2006, Campbell has continued his personal philanthropic engagement nationally and in the Chicago area. He currently is a member of the TKE Foundation's executive committee and volunteers as an advisor to the University of Houston's Conrad Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, Chicago Hope Academy, Chicago Maritime Society and a new Rock Steady program in Wilmette, Ill. He is a past chairman of numerous nonprofit boards and of the United Way of Chicago's development committee. He received his B.B.A. in marketing from Fenn College.
Campbell has sailed competitively for approximately 55 years, having raced the Chicago to Mackinac Race 30 times-winning his section three times--and earned Boat of the Year titles in Chicago several times.
About the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IU Indianapolis is dedicated to improving philanthropy to improve the world by training and empowering students and professionals to be innovators and leaders who create positive and lasting change. The school offers a comprehensive approach to philanthropy through its academic, research and international programs and through The Fund Raising School, Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, the Mays Family Institute on Diverse Philanthropy and the Women's Philanthropy Institute. Follow us on Twitter @IUPhilanthropy or "Like" us on Facebook.