Outstanding Fundraising Professional, Nominated by Nevada State College Foundation

J. Russell Raker, III, PD, ACFRE has an extensive 47-year career in fundraising, focusing on not-for-profit capacity building and leadership. Russ has worked in higher education, healthcare and social service with the highest standards of ethics and integrity. Since 2007, he has served as the head of fundraising programs at the Nevada State College. Currently, he serves as the Associate Vice President for Development for the College and the NSC Foundation. In 2008, he co-founded (with Leigh Aurbach) the Gift Planning Advisors, a collaborative partnership of six non-profits in Southern Nevada, which focuses on planned giving opportunities for donors.

Russ has also served in senior advancement/development positions with Lehigh University (PA), Columbia University/Graduate School of Business (NY), University of Rochester (NY), Hiram College (OH), the University of Redlands (CA), Nebraska Independent College Foundation (NE), Kettering Medical Center Corporation/Foundation (OH), Morton Plant Mease Foundation (FL), Loma Linda University Health Sciences Center and Corporation (CA), Don & Sybil Harrington Cancer Center/Texas Tech University (TX), Family Service America (WI), the Family Foundation of North America (WI), and Cal Farley’s (TX).

Russell has won numerous fundraising awards. He is one of approximately 80 individuals to hold the Advanced Certified Fundraising Executives (AFCRE/Life) designation of the national Association of Fundraising Professionals. Often called the “Father of ACFRE,” Russ has provided outstanding leadership to the fundraising profession by participating in the creation of this professional certification level.