On October 30, the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy welcomed Jim Moore, the CEO and president of the University of Illinois Foundation, as part of the Mays Family Institute Diverse Speaker Series. He leads over 450 people and a $3.1 billion campaign. Moore is also the chair-elect on the national board of trustees for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and a national leader in higher education fundraising.
Listed are five of the key points from Moore’s talk, in no particular order. Read on to learn more about Moore, his background, and his approach to diversity, philanthropy, fundraising, and higher education, and learn more the next event in the series, which will feature Susan Batten, President and CEO of the Association of Black Foundation Executives (ABFE).
5. Introduction of Jim Moore by Josh Moore, M.A. ’16
While this wasn’t in Jim Moore’s talk, Josh Moore’s experiences as an intern working at the University of Illinois Foundation provide some context about how Jim advocates for individuals new to the fundraising profession. When Josh started, Jim sat down with him to discuss his professional aspirations admirations. Jim also called the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy after Josh had been admitted and planned to attend, complimenting the work Josh had done.
“It was the mark of a supportive leader who wanted to see a young professional grow and succeed,” Josh explained.
4. For young students or alumni, be thoughtful about the steps you take to advance your career.
“First, figure out what certain jobs require,” Moore explained. “Then, talk to people who have the job you do or are in the environment you want to work in. Build a portfolio of experiences that allows you to be competitive and successful in searches for leadership roles.
3. Commit to diversity.
Moore listed several ways for individuals and organizations to put an emphasis on diversity. “Challenge hiring managers to talk about diversity, recruit diverse students for internships to give them training in the field, and appoint diverse board members. You need to have diverse leaders sitting around the table to promote diversity throughout your entire organization.”
He also discussed CASE and the successes of its minority internship program, while also saying that more work had to be done in this field.
2. Don’t shy away from controversial issues.
“Be a good listener, and try to hear people and their perspectives without judging them. Invite individuals and groups to have critical conversations around difficult issues.
“People appreciate universities as places where critical conversations can occur. Invite those conversations to take place around difficult issues.”
1. Remember that you’re making a difference doing this work.
Moore highlighted this point as the reason he decided to stay and pursue his career in higher education fundraising.
“This work has meaning – you can provide opportunities for people to pursue higher education and make a difference in the lives of communities and individuals. Where would we be as a society if people weren’t given a hand up to accomplish these amazing things?”
Learn more and RSVP for “Struggle and Progress: Philanthropic Leadership on Issues of Race and Equity” with Susan Batten
Batten will discuss the continued struggle and progress to reform philanthropy and facilitate substantive change and racial equity in the U.S. She will share how foundations and donors are shifting gears to support efforts that focus on equity in a politically and economically divided nation, even though they are challenged with shifting their power in ways that promote opportunities for all people.
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