301 University Boulevard
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Biography
Tim Seiler is the inaugural Rosso Fellow in Philanthropic Fundraising and Clinical Professor Emeritus of Philanthropic Studies. The Rosso Fellow is a new position to honor Henry A. (Hank) Rosso, the founder of The Fund Raising School.
Seiler served as the director of The Fund Raising School from 1994-2014.
Formerly vice president of the Indiana University Foundation, Seiler was a major gifts officer for university development. As director of the foundation’s Indianapolis office, he coordinated the constituency development program for the schools and programs on the Indianapolis campus. He also led the comprehensive fundraising program for the Indianapolis campus, which included staff for corporate and foundation relations, major gifts, planned giving, annual fund, prospect research, donor relations, and stewardship.
As a retired core faculty member, Seiler taught graduate courses in Philanthropic Studies and also taught core curriculum courses and customized contract programs for The Fund Raising School, and he regularly makes conference and seminar presentations nationally and internationally. He is an author and editor of fundraising publications and was editor-in-chief of the Excellence in Fundraising Workbook Series, author of the workbook Developing Your Case for Support, and co-editor of Achieving Excellence in Fundraising, Third and Fourth Editions.
Seiler serves the nonprofit sector not only as a fundraiser, author, and teacher, but also as a board member and campaign committee member for several nonprofits and serves as a mentor to young professional fundraisers. He earned a B.A. degree in English from Saint Joseph’s College, Rensselaer, Indiana, and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in English from Indiana University. He also holds the Certified Fund Raising Executive professional designation.
Education
- Ph.D. Indiana University 1980
Major: English (American Literature)
- M.A. Indiana University 1972
Major: English
- B.A. Saint Joseph’s College 1968
Major: English
Minor: German
Courses Taught
Academic Programs
- PHST P558 Principles and Practices of Fundraising
- SPEA V558 Fund Development for Nonprofits
- SPEA-V550 Fund Development for Nonprofits
- SPEA –V580 Readings in Public Affairs
- EDUC-C585 Principles of Fund Raising Management
The Fund Raising School
- Principles and Techniques of Fundraising
- Developing Major Gifts
- Purposeful Boards Powerful Fundraising
- Interpersonal Communication for Fundraising
- Preparing Successful Grant Proposals
Honors and Awards
- Henry A. Rosso Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Ethical Fundraising, 2014
- AFP Indiana Chapter Outstanding Fundraising Professional, 2014
- Outstanding part-time graduate instructor
Grants and Funding
- GHR Foundation and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Advancing Mission: Women Religious in the 21st Century, 2013-2016, $2.6 million
- Planning grant from GHR Foundation, $68,000, May 1, 2012, to October 31, 2012.
- The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, Increasing Capacity for Fiscal Sustainability for Part A Grantees, January 1, 2015 – September 29, 2015, $32,400.00
- The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, Increasing Capacity for Fiscal Sustainability for Part A Grantees, March 1, 2014 – March 31, 2015, $54,000.00