Myers McRae Seeks Development Officer for Clarion University Foundation
February 4, 2019 – Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has been chosen to find a new development officer for the Clarion University Foundation, which helps to support Clarion University of Pennsylvania. Search firm president Kenny Daugherty is leading the assignment.
The mission of the Clarion University Foundation is “to provide financial and other support deemed necessary and appropriate to strengthen the well-being of Clarion University and the total Clarion University community.”
The development officer holds a key role in securing significant gifts that can enhance the institution’s ability to achieve its goals and accomplish its mission, said Myers McRae. The role calls for developing, initiating, cultivating, securing and acknowledging major gifts of $25,000 and greater as well as annual fund gifts of lesser value to Clarion University Foundation in support of Clarion University.
Job Responsibilities
This work is performed in a fast-pace, high-energy work environment, said the search firm. Other responsibilities of the job include: identifying potential donors through computer research, current donors, professional organizations and volunteers, etc.; assisting with all major fundraising, stewardship and cultivation events; managing meetings, both internal and external; maintaining and documenting timely travel and business-related expenses at budgeted levels; following and supporting organizational policies and procedures; and developing and maintaining appropriate computer tracking data files using Raiser’s Edge, a fundraising and donor management system.
A bachelor’s degree and three years of fundraising/development or sales related experience are required for the position. Higher education experience is preferred, though the foundation will strongly consider transferable skills.
Myers McRae said that candidates should also have: a track record in meeting or exceeding annual contact goals; successful experience in initiating, writing, and delivering proposals and presentations; working knowledge of, and ability to provide information on, planned giving and estate planning to prospects; and effective communication skills, both oral and written, among other requirements.
A Respected Search Firm
The Clarion University Foundation, which was organized in 1969, is a not-for-profit corporation located in Clarion, PA. Governed by a 17-member board, the foundation was formed to “promote educational purposes in connection with or at the request of Clarion University.” The foundation has an endowment of more than $30 million.
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Clarion University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1867, is located in western Pennsylvania. The school specializes in preparing students for professional careers in fields including education, business, the arts, the sciences and health and human services. Enrolling more than 5,200 students from 44 states and 11 countries, Clarion University’s academic portfolio includes 97 certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degree programs, 60 minors and 16 teacher certification programs offered both online and on-ground across two state-of-the-art campuses.
Myers McRae serves colleges, universities, independent schools and other not-for-profit institutions. Nearly all of its search professionals have a minimum of 20 years of experience in higher education. The majority of the firm’s searches have been for presidents, chancellors, provosts, vice presidents, deans and other senior academic and administrative leaders. Myers McRae recently placed the president of the University of Charleston (WV), provost and dean at the Citadel and director of development at Piedmont College, among other roles.
Mr. Daugherty has an extensive background in higher education administration, having served 28 years in public and independent institutions. Throughout his career in higher education, he had personnel responsibilities and served on numerous search committees for professional staff and administrators for the institution. He has conducted hundreds of searches for schools across the nation, including presidential searches for the University of Montana Western, Northwest Missouri State University, McDaniel College, Oakwood University, Kentucky Wesleyan College, Pasco-Hernando State College, Pierpont Community and Technical College, Wichita Area Technical College and the Georgia Independent College Association.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Andrew W. Mitchell, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
