Eric Holderness
Senior Associate Vice President of Development at Kansas State University Foundation- Claim this Profile
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Topline Score
Bio
John Blackwell
If you want something done right Eric is your man for the task!
John Blackwell
If you want something done right Eric is your man for the task!
John Blackwell
If you want something done right Eric is your man for the task!
John Blackwell
If you want something done right Eric is your man for the task!
Credentials
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Leadership Accelorator
Learning @ Morning BrewAug, 2022- Nov, 2024 -
Morning Brew Accelerator
Learning @ Morning BrewJan, 2021- Nov, 2024 -
Finance for Non-Financial Managers
LinkedInDec, 2020- Nov, 2024 -
Sales: Data-Driven Sales Management
LinkedInNov, 2020- Nov, 2024 -
EverTrue's 40 Under 40 Award 2019
EverTrue's 40 Under 40Jan, 2019- Nov, 2024 -
Certified Fund Raising Executive
CFRE InternationalJun, 2015- Nov, 2024 -
2017 Reeher Prime Officer
-Jul, 2016- Nov, 2024
Experience
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Kansas State University Foundation
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United States
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Fundraising
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100 - 200 Employee
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Senior Associate Vice President of Development
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Jul 2022 - Present
Leading high performing teams focused on maximizing the lifetime institutional value of all K-Staters.
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Associate Vice President of Development
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Jan 2018 - Jul 2022
As member of a high-performing development leadership team, oversaw fundraising production, including an all-time fiscal year high of $234 million in fiscal year 2022Managed 36 principal gift prospects in tandem with collegiate major gift officers resulting in over $37 million in gift activity in three fiscal yearsLeadership role on campaign steering committee responsible for extending the Innovation & Inspiration campaign to $1.4 billion; Closed the campaign at over $1.6 billion raised on June 30, 2020Launched University Wide development team responsible for qualifying and referring major gift prospects to colleagues in collegiate fundraising units; Grew team from 3 fundraisers to 10 fundraisers in 15 monthsMember of CRM implementation task force accountable for converting to and implementing Salesforce CRM- UC Innovation’s Ascend advancement platformSuccessfully overhauled annual giving operations by bringing all operations in-house resulting in maximization of investment and an improved donor experienceCreated the Digital Development Officer position meant to deliver custom giving experiences to high-potential prospects not yet managed in a major gift portfolio; early results include over 50 major gift leads identified and over $1M raisedInitiated and managed the execution of K-State’s first ever Day of Giving: A unique day of giving focused on a singular philanthropic goalNamed to the inaugural EverTrue’s 40 Under 40 2019 list of most influential young fundraisers working today Helped lead the Engagement by Design workgroup which brings together representatives from development, communications, accounting, IT, and external partners in a matrix format to strategically plan and execute integrated marketing plans
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Senior Director of Development - College of Veterinary Medicine
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Jun 2016 - Jan 2018
Worked cross departmentally to modify legacy fundraising programs to enhance front-line fundraising efforts by introducing more points of entry for donors and enriched prospecting through annual fund engagementManaged a team of 3 front-line fundraisers, 2 support staff members, and 2 student staff membersFocused major gift activity and portfolio management on top tier prospects and solicitation of $1 million+ giftsActively solicited and raised over $6.5 million individually, attained $8 million College goal, and completed the $55 million Innovation & Inspiration Campaign goal a year ahead of schedule in FY 17Launched a grateful client giving program complete with annual and major gift fundraising efforts for the Veterinary Health Center at Kansas State UniversityTeamed with College of Veterinary Medicine business office to improve scholarship administration process resulting in the exponential increase in available scholarship dollarsDeveloped budget dashboard allowing for real-time, statistical analysis of ROI figures for front-line fundraisers (Cost per visit, dollars raised per visit, etc.)Served as a member of the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Administrative Council; Key member of newly released College strategic plan activation teamMember of Kansas State University Foundation internal campaign steering committee tasked with university-wide campaign management
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Director of Development - College of Arts & Sciences
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Aug 2015 - Jun 2016
Managed a portfolio of 91 donors and prospects in 22 StatesSolicited and closed proposals totaling $13.3 MillionCultivated and closed 2 proposals of $1 Million or moreConstructed and manage an individual expense budget of over $29,000 used in the efforts of identifying, qualifying, soliciting, and stewarding donors and prospectsServed as a member of task-force concerned with increasing safety and efficiency of development professional travelSearch committee member for multiple development officer positions within the Kansas State University Foundation All-University Campaign Co-Chair for the Kansas State University Foundation; Leading the entirety of the Foundation staff to 100% participation College of Arts & Sciences development team lead with Central Development operations including planned giving, annual giving, and corporate/foundation relationsManaged College of Arts & Sciences development team professional development needs and opportunities
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Development Officer-College of Arts & Sciences
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Jan 2013 - Aug 2015
Executed 393 personal face-to-face visits with Kansas State University alumni and friendsSolicited and closed 39 major gift proposals ($25,000 or more); 9 of $100,000 or more; 2 of $1 Million or moreCultivated and closed proposals totaling $8.2 MillionMember of College of Arts & Sciences development team responsible for raising $55 Million in 4 yearsWorked closely with campus leadership including campus president, deans, department heads, and faculty to advance specific school fundraising initiativesRecruited and solicited several volunteers to serve as campaign steering committee leaders for $1 billion Innovation & Inspiration campaign for Kansas State UniversityServe as new employee mentor and guide during initial on-boarding process for multiple departments within the organization Team lead for All-University Campaign responsible for managing colleagues through giving processNominated by colleagues to represent the Constituent Development team on Kansas State University Foundation building construction advisory team
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Assistant Director-Annual Giving I Ahearn Fund
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Jul 2011 - Jan 2013
Managed the day-to-day operations of the annual fund; Oversaw 1 part-time employee, 3 Graduate Assistants, and 3 volunteer workersWorked hand-in-hand with KSU Foundation accounting staff to ensure proper tax receipting and recording of gifts, which includes the streamlining of Life Insurance Policy gift processing and the enhancement of communications between the KSU Foundation and the Ahearn FundProposed and executed K-State Legacy Brick Campaign, a grass roots capital campaign responsible for over $1 million in net revenueManaged donor parking for Football and Men’s Basketball; In charge of sales and game day support of parking lot operations staffProposed and aided in the development and redesign of Ahearn Fund.com website, increasing traffic by over 180%Key member of fundraising team for $75 million football stadium project; focus on sales of new club and loge level premium seating resulting in over $320,000 total commitments.Coordinated several special donor stewardship events including Ahearn Fund Member Appreciation Day, Football Stadium Improvement Groundbreaking, Basketball Training Facility Grand Opening, and All-Sport ReunionsSold and managed club level premium seating; Improved Club Level Football Seating sales to 100% of capacityFormed and led the Ahearn Fund Marketing Committee which formulates and implements unique and progressive initiatives to expand the Ahearn Fund brandFormer member of the K-State Athletics Branding committee which ensures the continuity of messaging and the brand image of K-State Athletics
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Graduate Assistant--Ahearn Fund
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May 2009 - Jul 2011
Planning and execution of events stewarding current and targeting prospective donors; Aided Regional Director in establishing giving leadership program, expanding the number of $10,000+ annual donors from 216 in FY ’09 to 282 in FY ’11 and to 300 in FY ’12Data entry and management using ADvantage database software; Input over 500 payments and account changes per monthSelling and managing of premium seating; Aided in improving Club Level Football Seating sales to over 95% capacityCultivating and retaining donors; Averaged 8 hours per week speaking with donors over the phone and via emailPlanned and executed a new facility ground breaking; Hosted over 150 donors and officials for new Basketball Training Facility ground breaking ceremonies
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Kansas State University
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United States
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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Retail Manager -- Cat's Den Convenience Store
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Jan 2009 - Dec 2009
Supervised a team of 15 undergraduate customer service staff membersManaged and placed orders for entire store inventory totaling roughly $100,000Coordinated marketing efforts with other retail stores at the Kansas State Student UnionCompleted an in depth cost/profit analysis of new and current products responsible for a 3.5% increase in profit margin.Launched new health food section designed to help college students make healthier snacking decisions Supervised a team of 15 undergraduate customer service staff membersManaged and placed orders for entire store inventory totaling roughly $100,000Coordinated marketing efforts with other retail stores at the Kansas State Student UnionCompleted an in depth cost/profit analysis of new and current products responsible for a 3.5% increase in profit margin.Launched new health food section designed to help college students make healthier snacking decisions
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Apple
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United States
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Computers and Electronics Manufacturing
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700 & Above Employee
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Senior Campus Representative
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Jan 2007 - Nov 2008
Produced educational seminars for faculty, staff, and students regularly attended by 20-30 individualsDeveloped promotional campaigns that expanded sales by 100% on campus during my tenureSuccessfully pioneered a student-led Mac users group whose charter membership totaled over 30 Kansas State studentsCooperatively planned and attended interstate Apple events on campuses in Nebraska, Missouri, and Oklahoma Produced educational seminars for faculty, staff, and students regularly attended by 20-30 individualsDeveloped promotional campaigns that expanded sales by 100% on campus during my tenureSuccessfully pioneered a student-led Mac users group whose charter membership totaled over 30 Kansas State studentsCooperatively planned and attended interstate Apple events on campuses in Nebraska, Missouri, and Oklahoma
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Education
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2009 - 2011
Kansas State University
Master's degree, College Student Counseling and Personnel Services -
2005 - 2009
Kansas State University
B.S., Advertising -
2005 - 2009
Kansas State University
Minor, Political Science and Government
Community
