TIMOTHY G. O’CALLAHAN
Independence,OH
Summary
Dynamic senior-level fundraising executive with extensive experience in higher education, healthcare, human services, and secondary education sectors. Proven ability to lead programs and teams that have successfully raised over $400 million, demonstrating a strong track record in cultivating relationships and securing significant gifts ranging from six to seven figures. Recognized for high emotional intelligence and exceptional communication skills that resonate at all organizational levels. A collaborative leadership style fosters motivation and drives results, empowering teams to exceed fundraising goals.
Overview
38
38
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Vice President of Advancement
Cleveland State University
01.2024 - Current
- Lead team of 12 Frontline development professionals in six college units, corporate & foundation relations, annual fund, planned giving and donor stewardship.
- Manage team of fundraisers, raising $16.3 million in 2024-25
- Work directly with Vice President of Advancement to develop individual goals, strategies & budgets for Department
- Coordinate development activities with Alumni Relations and Advancement Marketing
- Initiated deployment of first Virtual Engagement Officer
- Senior Director, Washkewicz College of Engineering
- Responsible for all Advancement activities with College of Engineering
- Raised more than $5.86 million in 18 months
- Increased giving to the College by more than $2 million, a 68% increase from previous years
- Redesigned annual event for Distinguished Alumni Award recipient
- Recruited & onboarded Visiting Committee members and coordinated semi-annual meetings
- Raised more than $1.3 million from 40 individuals and companies for establishing a Construction Management program and Project Delivery Institute.
Senior Director, Leadership Giving
Ronald McDonald House Charities of NE Ohio
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Responsible for managing all major and planned giving programs for 2 House programs, 4 hospital-based Family Rooms, a STAR learning center, a community CareMobile and online resource website.
- Manage a portfolio of 150 donors through qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
- Planned giving program has secured 30 new commitments of $320,000+
- Created marketing materials outlining giving opportunities for donors and promotional materials to market planned giving
- Chief Development Officer
- Led all aspects of development for House programs and 4 hospital-based Family Rooms.
- Managed a team of 6 professionals in annual giving, special events, donor stewardship and grants management, and coordinated a merger with our Akron Ronald McDonald House development team
- Raised more than $16.3 million over 3 years, growing overall giving from $4.7 million to a record $6.07 million in 2021. Secured dozens of 5 and 6 figure gift commitments, including organization’s 5 largest gifts in more than a decade
- Initiated donor relations program to improve retention and focus on stewardship that demonstrates impact and is personally meaningful to donors, leading to increased donor retention every year, exceeding national benchmarks.
- Increased overall number of donors in 3 years by 17%
- Member of organization’s leadership team
- Provide development presentations to all board and development committee meetings
Chief Development Officer
St. Vincent Charity Development Foundation
01.2015 - 01.2018
- Led all fundraising and development efforts for St. Vincent Charity Medical Center, a Catholic inner-city hospital with centers of excellence in spine and orthopedics, bariatrics, behavioral health and addiction.
- Managed a team of 5 professionals in major gifts, annual giving, grants, special events and donor stewardship
- Raised more than $6.5 million, including a record annual total of $2.6 million in 2016. Secured hospital’s largest commitment from an individual donor in 7 years.
- Increased total donors by 27% through redesign of grateful patient program, internal caregiver campaign, alumni nursing and resident solicitation and more personalized stewardship efforts. Increased donor retention rate by 17%
- Re-imagined a 30-year special event to increase awareness of medical center’s programs and people, creating individual awards, videos and a night of entertainment. Event raised $750,000 over 2 years
- Managed Board of Directors quarterly Governance and Development Committees. Effectively handled sensitive transition of long-time board chair and have increased engagement of full board at meetings and committee work, resulting in increase of giving from less than 50% to 98%. Responsible for orientation of all board members and design and implementation of board retreat
- Member of medical center’s management operations group and senior leadership team
Senior Director for Regional Advancement
The Ohio State University Foundation
01.2012 - 01.2015
- Led regional advancement strategies to drive engagement and increase fundraising for alumni, parents, and friends of the university in NE Ohio
- Partnered with unit-based advancement teams, special events, alumni association, and marketing communications to increase the effectiveness of broad-based alumni and constituent outreach and engagement. Developed and managed a portfolio of donors and prospects while making primarily discovery and cultivation visits to rebuild presence and visibility for university in NE Ohio.
- Secured five and six-figure gifts that led to more than $2 million to university’s $2.5 billion capital campaign
- Initiated Cleveland Speaker Series to showcase OSU faculty research and administrative leadership, while allowing alumni to network and develop interest in the broader university
- Member of internal Regional Advancement Committee to develop a model for effective alumni and constituent engagement nationally
Senior Director of National Development
Case Western Reserve University
01.2011 - 01.2012
- Part of development team, which raised funds for $1 billion capital campaign
- Primarily responsible for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual leadership gifts for university priorities and individual schools and colleges, campaign-related capital projects and general areas of interest. Also had regional fundraising responsibilities for several division-wide efforts.
Vice President of Institutional Advancement
Saint Ignatius High School
01.2004 - 01.2011
- Led fundraising, marketing, constituent relations, and special events with a staff of 13 for a Catholic private high school of 1,450 students. Served on president’s leadership team and actively participated with Board.
- Raised $14 million and completed a 5-year, $30 million capital and endowment campaign.
- 2011 results surpassed previous year by 23% in all funds and 15% in operating support.
- Created employee giving program, securing commitments from 86% of faculty and staff.
- Implemented formalized prospect management program for 1,000 donors, while managing personal portfolio of 205 individuals using Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge. Secured six and seven-figure gifts for capital and endowment needs, including planned gift commitments.
- Managed branding initiative for school’s 125th anniversary and developed first organizational communications plan
- Director of Major Gifts (2004 to 2008)
- Managed major gifts fundraising staff of 3 during five-year capital and endowment campaign
- Secured 250 major gifts of $10,000+, significantly broadening school’s base of support.
- Initiated annual leadership donor appreciation event attended by 250 benefactors
- Created estate planning marketing materials and ran planned giving calculations using PG Calc software.
Director of Development / Alumni Relations
John Carroll University
01.2000 - 01.2004
- Responsible for development operations; managed staff of 17 for a Catholic private university with 4,200 students.
- Teamed with VP of Development in planning and completing a $125 million capital campaign, exceeding goal by $10 million, including successful effort to secure a $7.4 million Kresge Challenge grant.
- Led team that raised $1.6 million in annual support, a $250,000 increase. Increased alumni participation from 13% to 22%.
- Created alumni video used by all development officers for alumni receptions, senior social career networking events and recognition/reunion event for alumni of color
- Reenergized stagnant reunion program that received national recognition as best alumni relations program among all Jesuit universities
- Established new standard of excellence for university special events, including alumni awards dinners, President’s Council weekend - a Naples, FL event for over 900 and groundbreaking events for new Dolan Science Center and Shula Athletic Stadium
- Served as member of several university committees including University Council, Web Management Committee, Sub-Committee on Marketing, Sub-Committee for Mission and Sub-Committee for Development for University Planning Group, Athletic Hall of Fame Selection Committee and Multicultural Affairs Mentor Program
Vice President for Advancement
St. John's Jesuit High School
01.1996 - 01.2000
- Directed fundraising and constituent relations for an 880 student Catholic private high school
- Raised over $7.5 million and increased annual giving 15%. Completed $3 million capital fund drive.
- Created lifetime giving recognition society
- Secured foundation gifts up to $300,000 and individual gifts up to $400,000
- Participated in all Board and Executive Committee meetings. Developed operational budget of $5 million and a 3-year strategic marketing plan focused on enrollment, brand management, and facilities
Director of Foundations
Fairview & Lutheran Hospital Foundations
01.1993 - 01.1996
- Merged two foundations and staff into one cohesive operation with 7 employees
- Increased giving 42%, raising $8.5+ million.
- Reduced operational budget 20%, while setting giving records
- Directed $5 million capital campaign securing individual gifts of $50,000 and corporate gifts of $100,000+. Initiated physician giving program for campaign
- Coordinated quarterly meetings for Foundation Board of Trustees. Created strategic plan outlining trustee and staff responsibilities, organizational structure, communication plan, priorities and objectives
Director, Alumni Reunions & Annual Fund
John Carroll University
01.1988 - 01.1993
- Responsible for coordinating alumni reunion program and securing annual operating support
- Exceeded all annual fund goals. Surpassed $1 million in reunion giving for first time in school history. Managed phone solicitation program raising $540,000+
- Increased alumni participation 24%, reversing four-year decline
- Initiated new senior class gift program, recruited 250 volunteers leading to record setting participation
- Awarded CASE (Council for Advancement & Support of Education) Bronze Medal for Individual Alumni Reunion Programs
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
John Carroll University
Cleveland, OHSkills
- Fundraising leadership
- Major gift fundraising
- Board development strategies
- Faculty engagement strategies
- Fundraising strategy development
- Strategic planning
- Talent acquisition and performance management
- Event coordination
- Emotional intelligence
- Marketing communications
- Effective presentation skills
- Donor stewardship
- Volunteer engagement strategies
- Alumni relations management
Accomplishments
John Carroll University Athletic Hall of Fame, Soccer, Team MVP, Regional All-American, All-Ohio, Two-time All Conference
Timeline
Associate Vice President of Advancement
Cleveland State University
01.2024 - Current
Senior Director, Leadership Giving
Ronald McDonald House Charities of NE Ohio
01.2022 - 01.2023
Chief Development Officer
St. Vincent Charity Development Foundation
01.2015 - 01.2018
Senior Director for Regional Advancement
The Ohio State University Foundation
01.2012 - 01.2015
Senior Director of National Development
Case Western Reserve University
01.2011 - 01.2012
Vice President of Institutional Advancement
Saint Ignatius High School
01.2004 - 01.2011
Director of Development / Alumni Relations
John Carroll University
01.2000 - 01.2004
Vice President for Advancement
St. John's Jesuit High School
01.1996 - 01.2000
Director of Foundations
Fairview & Lutheran Hospital Foundations
01.1993 - 01.1996
Director, Alumni Reunions & Annual Fund
John Carroll University
01.1988 - 01.1993
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
John Carroll University
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