The Art Institute of Chicago Names Eve Coffee Jeffers as Vice President for Development

The Art Institute of Chicago is pleased to announce the appointment of Eve Coffee Jeffers as the museum's new Vice President for Development, effective November 11, 2013. In this capacity, Jeffers will assume responsibility for overseeing all aspects of the museum's fundraising efforts, including exhibition giving and special gifts related to acquisitions and accessions; corporate and foundation grants; major gifts; planned giving; and prospect research and cultivation. Working closely with the director, senior administration staff, curators, and trustees, she will also craft plans to meet the museum's long-range financial goals, including building the endowment, and to underwrite specific major initiatives.

"Strategic fundraising is a critical component of the museum's activities," said Douglas Druick, President and Eloise W. Martin Director of the Art Institute. "The development department raises more than a third of our annual operating budget every year, funds that ensure that the museum can offer the exhibitions and programs for which it is known around the world. We are thrilled that Eve Jeffers will be joining us, as her initiatives will be integral to the museum's efforts, both on a daily basis and for the long term. Her extensive experience at some of the finest universities in Chicago, as well as her passion for art, make her the perfect choice for this position. We are all looking forward to working with Eve and benefiting from her ideas and expertise."

"I have great respect for the Art Institute, and I am excited to join the many fine professionals who make it one of the leading museums in the world," said Jeffers. "I know this is a very exciting time for the Art Institute as Douglas Druick leads the efforts to shape the next chapter of the museum's history. And I'm also eager to come to know and work with the museum's donors and supporters, who have played such a major role in the continued growth of the organization. I look forward to building partnerships with those who have had such an impact on one of the cultural institutions that define Chicago."

Jeffers was formerly the Chief Development Officer and Senior Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations and Development at the University of Chicago. In this position, she led a large fundraising team devoted to the university's many academic units and special initiatives, including managing a major campaign and building an outstanding prospect management and analytics team. During her tenure, the university raised more than $459 million for 2012-13 and was professionally recognized for the excellence of its communication efforts. Prior to her position at the University of Chicago, Jeffers spent twenty years at Northwestern University, concluding her tenure there in 2011 as Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations and Development. At Northwestern, she led a central fundraising organization, again representing the many different divisions and departments of the institution, with a comprehensive development program of $271 million.

At the Art Institute, Jeffers will have primary responsibility for all aspects of the museum's fundraising and philanthropic programs and will lead a staff that manages exhibition giving, foundation and corporate giving, major gifts and planned giving, research, and administration of a number of the museum's boards, including the Woman's Board and the Auxiliary Board.