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Kent E. Dove

< Foundation Experts

Special Advisor to the President

Kent Dove

Kent E.Dove
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Kent Dove is a leading practitioner, consultant, teacher, and author on the art and science of fundraising. He has led successful fundraising programs at numerous institutions of higher education and also directed fundraising campaigns at those and other colleges and universities.

At IU, Mr. Dove has directed the multi-year Academic Endowment Campaign for IU Bloomington, which raised $504 million against a $350 million goal, and the Campaign for IUPUI, which surpassed its $700 million goal to become the first $1 billion campaign completed by a public university in Indiana. Mr. Dove is currently directing the Matching the Promise: IU Bloomington campaign with a working goal of $1 billion.

Since Mr. Dove's arrival at IUF in 1997, IU has received the Overall Excellence in Fundraising Award three times from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. Also, since that date, giving at IU has increased from about $60 million per year to well over $100 million per year. In 2001, IU led all universities and colleges in the nation in total support received from the private sector.

During his career, Mr. Dove has served as a senior executive with responsibility for development; external relations; alumni relations; state and federal relations; and sponsored programs, contracts, and grants. He has worked for public and private institutions of higher education across the country, including Rice University, University of California-Berkeley Foundation, Drake University, University of Alabama, Northwestern University, University of Tennessee Center for the Health Sciences, and West Virginia University Foundation.

He has served as a consultant for more than 100 clients, including research universities, independent schools, hospitals and health care centers, arts and cultural organizations, social service agencies, religious organizations, and United Way.

Mr. Dove is also well known as the author of the Dove on Fundraising series of textbooks, which are widely regarded as the definitive work in their field. His commitment to the future of the profession includes teaching graduates and undergraduate classes in fundraising at IU. He is a frequent speaker and presenter and the author of numerous publications.

Professional affiliations and services

  • Board of Directors, The Roy F. and Joann Cole Mitte Foundation
  • National Board of Directors, National Society of Fund Raising Executives

Awards and honors

  • Sigma Delta Chi, national journalists' fraternity
  • CASE Crystal Apple Teaching Award

Education

  • BS, Indiana University
  • Certified Fund Raising Professional, Association of Fund Raising Executives
  • Executive Management Certificate, Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)

Student activities and honors

  • Editor-in-chief, Indiana Daily Student
  • Treasurer, Blue Key National Honor Fraternity