John D.R. Balbach

Ann Arbor, MI *****

Phone: 734-***-**** Email: ad1mi1@r.postjobfree.com

Senior fundraising executive with successful track record of motivating and aligning cross-functional teams, igniting and driving organizational change, and developing and executing new business strategies to meet and surpass performance objectives.

20+ years of experience leading organizations to achieve strategically defined goals and objectives.

Team builder and innovator who welcomes diverse perspectives in the constant pursuit of personal and organizational improvement.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Prospect Identification

Volunteer Management

Donor Cultivation

Gift Negotiation & Closing

Communications

Strategic Planning

Leadership

Program Management

Market Analysis

Revenue Growth

Corporate and Foundation Engagement

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science 2021 – Present

Chief Strategy Officer

Responsible for implementing a complete restructuring of the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science in preparation for the launch of a global comprehensive fundraising campaign.

Led 23-person team responsible for all fundraising services and support operations: prospect management, prospect research, communications, marketing, annual giving, stewardship, events, IM/IT, gift compliance, and administrative support.

Achieved two consecutive years of $130M+ fundraising production for ACWIS. Both years set fundraising records for the organization and represented annual fundraising increase of 40%.

In collaboration with the CEO, led the engagement of the ACWIS Board of Directors.

In collaboration with CDO, led the planning and execution of the silent phase of a global fundraising campaign. These efforts included the development of the case for support, executing a feasibility study, analyzing the gift pipeline and donor pyramid to inform goal setting, and working with volunteers to close leadership gifts for the nucleus fund.

Worked directly with the CEO, President, senior faculty leadership, and fundraising staff to develop and support engagement strategies and gift opportunities to successfully secure several 7 and 8 figure gifts for the Institute.

University of Chicago Chicago, IL 2019 – 2021

Senior Associate Vice President of Principal Gifts

Responsible for leading all activities focused on securing gifts of $5M or more to advance the mission and vision of the University of Chicago.

Led 13-person team responsible for raising over $150M annually in principal gifts to support leadership priorities at the University of Chicago and its health system.

Led a team of writers focused on developing grant proposals for foundations and donor advised funds.

Member of the senior management team responsible for the successful completion and celebration of the $5.4B “Inquiry and Impact” fundraising campaign.

Worked directly with the President and senior faculty leadership to develop engagement strategies and gift opportunities to successfully secure 8 and 9 figure gifts for the Institution.

University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 2007 - 2019

Senior Executive Director of Advancement, College of Engineering (1/2017-7/2019)

Responsible for leading all aspects of development to advance the mission and vision of the College

Led the 27-person advancement team focused on developing and executing comprehensive strategies to secure individual, corporate, and foundation support to advance the mission, vision, and priorities of the College.

Successfully completed the College’s comprehensive campaign by raising $1.1B, comprised of $455M philanthropy and $545M strategic resources which included shared goals with the health system due to the jointly owned Biomedical Engineering Department.

Successfully managed resources to stay within the $3.2M annual budget for the Advancement Office.

Facilitated smooth and successful leadership transitions of the Dean and 12 Department Chairs without interruption to the College’s fundraising efforts.

Identified and developed opportunities that resulted in seven and eight figure gifts that enabled strategic partnerships that furthered the mission and vision of the College of Engineering and Michigan Medicine.

Launched an effort to develop AI and machine learning tools to assist in the identification, qualification, and early-stage cultivation of unaffiliated high net worth individuals.

Senior Director of Regional Advancement and Campaigns, College of Engineering (5/2009–12/2016)

Accountable for developing and implementing strategies, programs and campaigns to meet the fundraising needs and objectives of the College and its Departments.

Led a team of 7 major gift officers and 3 administrative support personnel.

In three years, increased the overall fundraising production for the College by 100%.

Implemented performance metrics that resulted in a 128% increase in donor visits and a 185% increase in ask activity for the regional advancement team.

Led the planning, volunteer recruitment, launch and execution of the College’s $400M fundraising campaign and $1B strategic resource effort which was part of the University’s “Victors for Michigan” Campaign.

Worked with the Dean of the College and senior leadership to create campaign objectives that foster and enable fundraising collaboration with units, schools, and colleges across campus.

Managed an active portfolio of donor prospects and was personally involved in closing seven and eight figure gifts to the College.

Co-Chaired the Prospect Management Design Team for the development of business process and functionality of the University’s new DART CRM.

Recipient of the 2014 Victor Valiant Award, a peer nominated award for outstanding contribution to the overall success of development efforts across campus.

Recipient of a 2011 CASE Circle of Excellence Award for Technology Applications and Creative Use of New Media.

Director of Major Gifts for Mid and West Michigan, Office of University Development (9/2007–5/2009)

Accountable for the coordination, management and execution of the University-wide fundraising effort in the geographic regions of Mid and West Michigan.

Worked closely with unit, school and college colleagues to close over $4M in gifts and pledges with the first 14 months of being in this position.

Worked closely with university and volunteer leadership to develop and implement a comprehensive University engagement strategy for the West Michigan region.

Managed three regional volunteer major gift committees within the state of Michigan in support of the successful completion of the $3.2B “Michigan Difference” Campaign.

Administered the travel, expense, and hosting budget for the Mid and West Michigan major gifts section in OUD.

Strategic National Consulting LLC Lansing, MI 2005 - 2007

Co-Founder and Managing Partner (5/2005-9/2007)

Established a political consulting company specializing in: Strategic Planning, Fundraising, and Campaign Management. Clients included: Ambassador and Mrs. Weiser, Susan and Robert Brown, Senator John McCain, Governor Christie Todd Whitman, and Governor Rick Snyder.

Office of the Vice President Washington, DC 2004

Homeland Security and Speechwriting Graduate Intern (5/2004-8/2004)

Tasked to conduct threat analysis and draft policy recommendations to mitigate vulnerabilities and increase security of General Aviation and Hazardous Material operations within defined regions of the United States.

Wrote and presented policy recommendations to senior staff of the Office of the Vice President.

Assisted in the research, fact checking and writing of speeches given by both the President and Vice President.

United States Army International and Domestic Duty Stations 1995 - 2003

Intelligence Officer (7/1999–7/2003)

Accountable for developing the intelligence collection matrix and providing intelligence support for unit deployments and contingency operations in an area of operations covering 85 countries.

Senior Intelligence Officer for the largest forward deployed logistics command in the U.S. Army.

Responsible for the leadership and management of a team of 25 intelligence professionals.

Successfully operated in a fluid and dynamic operational environment to meet the intelligence needs of commanding officers.

Served as Deputy Task Force Commander for a humanitarian mission to remove 10,000 pieces of unexploded ordinance from Lagos, Nigeria following the explosion of one of their ammunition depots.

Recognized by the Commanding General of the 21st TSC as an “Unsurpassed analyst and communicator”.

Awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for work conducted during deployments in Bosnia and Kosovo.

Aide-de-Camp (6/1997–6/1998)

Accountable for managing a staff of 4 individuals in support of the Deputy Commander and Command Group of the 2nd Infantry Division.

Prepared speeches, correspondences, and memorandums for the Deputy Commanding General.

Served as a liaison with foreign political and military staffs on behalf of the Deputy Commanding General.

Managed the equipment, travel and hosting budget for the office of the Deputy Commanding General.

Selected from all the Lieutenants in the Division to serve as Aide-de-Camp.

Armor Platoon Leader (12/1996-6/1997)

Accountable for the health, welfare, and operational readiness of 16 U.S. and Korean soldiers.

Developed and led team-based and individual training for U.S. and Korean military personnel.

Managed and maintained a training budget and combat equipment in excess of $13M.

Awarded the Army Achievement Medal for outstanding leadership and performance during combat training exercises.

Company Executive Officer (12/1995-12/1996)

Accountable for the budget, property book, training programs and evaluation standards for a company of 120 individuals.

Served as acting Commander for 4 months during a leadership transition.

EDUCATION

May, 2012 University of Michigan, Ross School of Business, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Management of Managers Executive Education Program

April, 2005 University of Michigan, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Master of Public Policy April 2005

May, 1995 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Bachelor of Science Psychology May 1995

COMMUNITY SERVICE

2008-2019 Member of the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor

2008-2011 Ann Arbor Arts Center Board Directors

2009-2020 Past Chairman and current member of the Glacier Hills Foundation Board

2010-2013 Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, Next Generation Philanthropists Founding Member

2015-2020 Board member of Glacier Hills Inc.

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