Recognized for: Professional Achievement
Dr. John Gallagher, a proud graduate of Saint Martin’s College in 1969, dedicated his career to advancing the work of higher education institutions and non-profit organizations through leadership, planning, philanthropy management, and organizational development. After graduating from Saint Martin’s, he earned a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Washington, and then returned to Saint Martin’s as an associate professor and associate dean, where he played a pivotal role in founding the Department of Corporate and Foundation Relations.
John’s impact extended well beyond Saint Martin’s, however, as he went on to serve in key leadership roles at several institutions and later worked extensively with over a hundred non-profit organizations in the United States and Canada as a consultant. He was the Director of Development at the Evergreen State College, Associate Vice President for University Relations at Seattle University, and then was appointed Vice President for University Relations at the University of Puget Sound.
In 1995, he was named the Executive Director of the UNLV Foundations and soon also became Vice President for Development at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). In these roles, he planned and led the University’s first major capital campaign, an effort that raised over $550 million dollars. In his twelve years at UNLV, the University raised over $700 million, and emerged as a major research university, a major economic engine for Nevada, and a key political advocate for many in the region. Through his work at the University, he played a pivotal role in driving these transformative outcomes.
After twelve years, when he turned 60, John retired from UNLV and started a consulting firm that worked primarily with non-profit organizations, including colleges, universities, foundations, medical support organizations and a wide variety of community service enterprises. He worked with over a hundred organizations in twenty states and the District of Columbia, primarily to help them manage the business side of their operations better. He helped with board development, fundraising planning and execution, program planning, staff training, financial management and controls, and operational evaluation. He also served as an executive coach for some boards and leadership teams. Highlights in this work include the planning and leadership of a second $550 million capital campaign and a number of smaller but important capital campaigns at other organizations. In the course of his career, he has played a major role in the generation of over $1.5 billion in gift revenue for organizations. He retired from this consulting work three years ago.
A respected figure in the national development community, John contributed to books published by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), and published papers and opinion articles in a number of other professional outlets over the years. He also served as a chairman, panelist, facilitator and presenter at numerous professional conferences, sharing his knowledge and experience with colleagues across the country. He has also served on the boards of trustees for three large non-profit organizations with national and international reach. In 2007, he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by his primary professional association.
John’s legacy continues through the institutions he strengthened and the many people who benefited from his vision and leadership. His lifelong dedication to education, philanthropy and the national non-profit community continues to inspire future generations.