Benjamin Mohler - Philanthropic Facilitator, Speaker, Writer, and Higher Education Advancement Executive
Benjamin Mohler's Bio:
Benjamin Mohler, CFRE, ACFRE is Vice President of Institutional Advancement for the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS). In this role, he oversees the KCTCS Office of Development and Alumni Affairs and the KCTCS Office of Grants, Contracts and Sponsored Projects. With 16 colleges and more than 70 campuses, KCTCS is the Commonwealth’s largest post-secondary institution. He also serves as executive director of the KCTCS Foundation, Inc.
Additionally, he serves as the principal consultant and director of GivingThree LLC (a consulting firm for the nonprofit sector). He is a fundraising expert with broad knowledge and experience. However, his specialties include board development, strategic planning, and career coaching.
Mohler most recently served as assistant vice president for development at Eastern Kentucky University. His background also includes key advancement roles at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Cedarville University, and The University of Texas at Austin.
He earned a master’s degree in philanthropy and development from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota and a bachelor’s degree in communication arts from Cedarville University. He is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and has earned the Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive (ACFRE) credential. He currently serves AFP at an international level as a member of the ACFRE Certification Board.
Mohler was named to Charlotte Business Journal's "Forty Under 40" in 2013 and the AFP Bluegrass Chapter honored him with their Exemplary Service Award in 2015.
Benjamin Mohler's Experience:
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Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Kentucky Community and Technical College System
March 2019 - Present | Lexington, KYProvides state-wide leadership, guidance, planning, and oversight for policy development, budgeting, operations, measurement, and accountability for the comprehensive private and public sector fund development of KCTCS Leads the KCTCS Office of Philanthropy and the KCTCS Office of Grants Administration Serves as executive director of the KCTCS Foundation, Inc, the independent 501(c)(3) fundraising organization officially recognized by the Kentucky Community and Technical College System
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Assistant Vice President for Development at Eastern Kentucky University
May 2015 - March 2019 | Richmond, KentuckyOversaw all efforts relating to annual, major, and planned gift fundraising for Eastern Kentucky University, including all academics; athletics; public radio, and fine arts programs. Led and managed annual, major, and planned giving professional fundraising staff and developed appropriate strategies and plans to increase fundraising and a campus culture of philanthropy. Played leadership role in Eastern Kentucky University’s $50M capital campaign including a growth in gifts and commitments from a steady state annual average under $4M to a high-mark of over $9M—totaling nearly $40M in gifts in commitments.
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Director of Philanthropy & Development, The William States Lee College of Engineering at UNC Charlotte
September 2007 - April 2015 | Charlotte, NCResponsible for providing fundraising counsel to College leadership and negotiating all gifts on behalf of the College. Designed the first college-specific capital special campaign and developed board leadership volunteers-exceeded the overall goal of $20M, two years ahead of schedule. Oversaw an exponential increase in current gifts to the College from a steady state average of under $1M to a high-mark of over $7.5M (excluding pledges and expectancies). Independently secured the seven largest gift commitments in the 50-year history of the College, totaling more than $23M.
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Staff Sergeant at Texas State Guard
2003 - 2008401st Air Support Group of the 4th Air Wing. Embedded with the Texas Air National Guard 209th Combat Weather Team in support of the 36th Infantry Division. The 401st provides transportation, communications, meteorological observation, and reporting missions to enhance training and prepare the 209th for deployment. The 401st is trained in Red Cross and FEMA emergency management and made good use of that training in 2005 during relief operations for hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Emergency ready reserve from 2006-2008. Honorably discharged in 2008
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Development Officer for The Cedarville Fund at Cedarville University
January 2006 - September 2007 | Cedarville, OHDeveloped new and alternative means to reinforce and target affinity groups identified as having interest in providing sustaining gift support by integrating a highly segmented direct mail strategy, social media, podcasts, and RSS.
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Development Professional for the Engineering Foundation at The University of Texas at Austin
June 2001 - January 2006 | Austin, TXAlumni Relations - Manager Foundation Relations - Development Associate Corporate Relations - Development Assistant Public Affairs and Alumni Relations - Development Assistant
Benjamin Mohler's Education:
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Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
2007 – 2010M.A. -
Cedarville University
1997 – 2001B.A.Concentration: Communication Arts
Benjamin Mohler's Interests & Activities:
I love cycling, baseball, ice cream, world travel, lifelong learning, and most of all my wife, and kids. My personal interest include painting, printmaking, and home-brewing.