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Brian Kish

Annual Giving Consultant LinkedIn

“Every annual giving program is unique, so I take a fresh and tailored approach to working with each client. I believe that a cookie-cutter approach won’t solve a program’s specific challenges.”

About Brian Kish

Brian Kish is the President of the Emeril Lagasse Foundation and has worked as an annual giving professional and consultant for over 18 years. Before joining the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, Brian served as the Senior Vice President for Development at the University of Arizona Foundation, Assistant Vice President of Advancement at Salve Regina University, and Senior Director of Development for the University of California-Irvine. His work has encompassed all university annual giving initiatives, as well as giving societies, grateful patient fundraising, comprehensive campaigns, and major giving.

Brian brings to his clients cutting-edge strategies in direct mail, telemarketing, e-philanthropy, and day of giving initiatives. He also has experience in budget development and management, affinity giving programs, the use of technology in fundraising, gift club marketing, statistical data analysis, and strategic planning.

In addition to his extensive development background, Brian is a frequent speaker at professional conferences throughout North America having served as chair or faculty on 35 national development conferences and making over 100 professional presentations. He has been awarded the CASE Crystal Apple for teaching excellence; the youngest person to ever receive this honor. Additionally, Brian hosts collaborative benchmarking meetings for Target Analytics, a Blackbaud Company.

Graduating cum laude, Brian earned his bachelor’s in International Relations from Ohio University. In 2002, he received the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation.

Recent Clients Served

  • The Boston Conservatory
  • California Western School of Law
  • Earlham College
  • Northern Illinois University
  • Northwestern University
  • Pacific Lutheran University
  • St. Ignatius High School
  • The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
  • Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
  • University of Alaska Anchorage
  • University of Memphis
  • University of South Dakota
  • Wittenberg College
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