Ross F. Evancoe
Brooktondale,NY
Summary
Seasoned fundraising professional with a genuine interest in people, entrepreneurial spirit, and aptitude for business. Experienced in advising the highest-level philanthropists, at all stages of sophistication, and supporting the visioning and development of transformative gift opportunities.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Principal Gifts Officer
University Development
05.2019 - Current
- Entrusted to manage the engagement, cultivation and solicitation of the University's wealthiest alumni, parents and friends
- Successfully steward a broad network of internal partners through positive interaction, responsiveness, and mutually beneficial partnerships
- Secure numerous seven-figure gifts annually in support of diverse needs across the entire University
- Partner with academic leaders to match donor interests with University/College priorities, often developing customized programs or initiatives
- Maintain a strong working knowledge of University, College, and Unit priorities and initiatives
- Regularly partner with College Deans and the University Provost and President to execute prospect strategies and forward gift discussions
- Design and execute sophisticated stewardship plans and events
- Frequently present progress updates to College/Division/University leadership
- Raised over $32M in philanthropic support since July 1, 2019
Director of Development
College Of Agriculture And Life Sciences (CALS)
08.2016 - 04.2019
- Functioned as the primary liaison/strategist with central and regional colleagues who manage CALS major gift prospects
- Partnered with the Dean of the College and other academic administration to forward prospect relationships and gift conversations
- Responsible for tracking all active CALS solicitations and partnering with colleagues to forward major gift asks
- Led a comprehensive annual plan process with the development team to determine fiscal year priorities and benchmarks
- Provided high level management for capital campaigns
- Motivated and effectively managed a staff of five development professionals
- Provided high level support to the Associate Dean of CALS AAD related to strategy, vision, staff issues and new initiatives
- Led prospect distribution for the CALS Alumni Affairs and Development team
- Developed and implemented a prospect playbook to capture information for all CALS major gift prospects, which informs Dean's travel and our fiscal year focus
- Designed and implemented an internal prospect research process to identify additional pipeline potential
- Identified new opportunities within specific constituent areas and developed plans to increase annual revenue
- Instituted new reporting processes that illustrate year-to-date results and provide fundraising accountability
- Exceeded College and personal fundraising goals every year, raising an average of $26M as a unit and $2.9M as an individual giving officer
Associate Director of Development
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
09.2014 - 08.2016
- Managed multiple capital campaign projects
- Cultivated a major gift portfolio of 40 households
- Provided high-level project and strategy support for the Associate Dean
- Served as the development lead for our Advisory Council major gifts committee
- Played an integral role in developing annual fundraising goals and college work plan
- Completed feasibility plans to determine the viability of proposed campaigns
- Served as the CALS liaison/strategist with central and regional colleagues who manage major gift prospects
- Developed and executed annual fund plans that contributed to significant increases in unrestricted giving
Assistant/Associate Director, Class Agent Program
Johnson Graduate School of Management
03.2012 - 09.2014
- Successfully managed all alumni class campaigns
- Identified, recruited, and retained volunteers through meaningful work and engagement opportunities
- Motivated and trained volunteers to solicit their classmates effectively
- Organized Johnson's annual leadership conference and assembled content for volunteer training sessions
- Managed a prospect portfolio of 60 alumni rated $25,000+ capacity
- Closed multiple leadership gifts during Fiscal Year 2014
- Implemented a solicitation tracking process for all peer solicitations in Fiscal Year 2014
- Prepared Dean's briefings, donor correspondence, and proposals
Education
Master of Professional Studies (MPS) - Management
Cornell University, SC Johnson College of Business
Ithaca, NY2022
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration, Management
Ithaca College
Ithaca, NY2010
Bond University
Queensland, Australia2009
Skills
Relationship building
Interpersonal communication
Project management
Proposal development
Problem solving
Managing competing priorities
Relevant Training
21/64 Multigenerational Training October 2019
- Two-day workshop focused on multigenerational advising, facilitation and training for next generation engagement, especially within family philanthropy and other family enterprises
Leading Cornell Program October 2018 – April 2019
- Nominated by the Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- Only 25 participants are admitted from the entire University
- Focus is development of micro skills to form professional coalitions to move agendas
Plus Delta Partners: Discipline of Frontline Fundraising (DFF) February 2018 – October 2018
- Selected by division leadership to participate in the first cohort
- 9 month program led by Plus Delta partners
- Goals: enhance collaboration, renew a disciplined approach, and setting sights higher
- Three components: DiSC assessment, group workshops, 1:1 coaching
Executive Harold D. Craft Leadership Program Completed May 2018
- Individually selected by division leadership to participate
- Full-time, week-long program focused on leadership and management
Timeline
Principal Gifts Officer
University Development
05.2019 - Current
Director of Development
College Of Agriculture And Life Sciences (CALS)
08.2016 - 04.2019
Associate Director of Development
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
09.2014 - 08.2016
Assistant/Associate Director, Class Agent Program
Johnson Graduate School of Management
03.2012 - 09.2014
Master of Professional Studies (MPS) - Management
Cornell University, SC Johnson College of Business
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration, Management
Ithaca College
Bond University
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