About AdvancementEDU
As founder of AdvancementEDU, Chris Dudley leverages over two
decades of experience in higher education leadership, major gift fundraising, marketing, sponsorship sales, business development, and operations to provide high-level advice and strategy for heads of school, college presidents, and chief development officers.
AdvancementEDU partners with independent schools, colleges, and universities to generate revenue for transformational impact. Our clients are guaranteed a relationship built on integrity, excellence and accountability.
Chris served in senior leadership at High Point University in High Point, NC, during a time of unprecedented growth and transformation. For ten years, as Senior Vice President for Administration and Chief of Staff, he led operational areas, including: security, transportation, food services, maintenance, janitorial, landscaping, construction, events, and community relations, among others. For eight years, he served as Senior Vice President for Development, leading a team that raised $450 million.
BIO
- Raised in Raleigh, NC
- BA from High Point University – Political Science
- MS from West Virginia University – Sport Management
- Sales Executive at Tar Heel Sports Marketing (3 years)
- Director of Athletic Development and Marketing at High Point University (5 years)
- Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff at High Point University (10 years)
- Senior Vice President for Development at High Point University (8 years)
- Husband to Kristy
- Father to Abigail and Avery
- Tennis player
- Music fan
- Resides in High Point, NC
EXPERIENCES
- Built development office from 8 to 33 employees in eight years.
- Led team that raised $450 million in eight years.
- Hired, trained and put systems in place for high functioning MGO team.
- Developed “Own the Campus” system of campus inspections.
- Planned large scale events featuring V.I.P. speakers and performers.
- Supervised the Vice President for Athletics.
- Supervised the following operational areas: security/transportation, maintenance/janitorial/landscaping, food service, events.
- Reported to and partnered with university president for eighteen years.
EXPERTISE
- Building successful and sustainable fundraising programs.
- Major gift fundraising.
- Donor engagement and stewardship.
- Sponsorship sales.
- Event planning and execution.
- Organizational transformation and reculturing.
- Delivering excellence to and removing friction points from the customer experience.
- Building organizational brands.
- Public speaking.
- Team building.
- Developing, presenting and closing sales and fundraising proposals.
- Creating powerful first and lasting impressions on prospects.
INTANGIBLES
- Attention to detail.
- Commitment to excellence.
- Sense of urgency.
- Extensive network.
- Good judgment.
- Commitment to over deliver.
Services
AdvancementEDU Customized Solutions
Every organization is different. AdvancementEDU provides customized solutions to meet your organization’s unique opportunities and challenges. Before offering recommendations, AdvancementEDU invests time listening to understand your organization’s differential advantages. Then, we will create a strategy to maximize your strengths.
Advancement Assessment
Advancement Assessment Implementation Support
Fundraising Campaign Feasibility Study
Fundraising Campaign Counsel
Major Gift Fundraising Training and Coaching
Board Training and Activation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first step in improving my advancement program and fundraising results?
An experienced, external and trustworthy partner, can provide an impartial evaluation of your program, along with best practice recommendations, that will often lead to immediate results and a roadmap to long-term sustainability.
Is my organization ready for a capital or comprehensive campaign?
Before beginning a campaign, make sure you have strong organizational leadership, an engaged board, and sustainable advancement practices in place.
My organization is interested in partnering with an external advisor, but we have had bad experiences in the past with consultants. What should we do?
Interview more than one advisor to determine the best fit your organization. Before agreeing to a new partnership, develop clear goals and objectives with your advisor. Put this in writing and refer to it frequently during the engagement.
Why should our organization hire AdvancementEDU?
As founder of AdvancementEDU, Chris Dudley brings decades of high-level fundraising, advancement and operational experience to your organization. Chris will be your main point of contact throughout the engagement. AdvancementEDU provides customized solutions to meet the unique needs and circumstances of their partners.