Over the past 20+ years, Donald Bielecki has worked in development with an overall responsibility for all aspects of philanthropic management and advancement. Most recently, he served as Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Niagara University, New York.
Don conceived, developed, and managed all aspects of Niagara University’s landmark $80 million capital campaign, The Promise of Niagara, and raised $88 million on-time and within budget. Don also managed a team of 20 advancement professionals and personally oversaw a portfolio of 40 major gift prospects. He was directly responsible for raising $25 million as part of the $80 million campaign.
Don’s responsibility at Niagara University included Annual Giving, Alumni and Constituent Relations, Major Gifts, Planned Giving, Athletic Fundraising, Grants, Prospect Research, University Events, Data Base Management and Advancement Services, University-wide Public Relations, Publications, Media Relations and Marketing.
From 1997 to 2002, he held three different advancement positions at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, all dealing with major gifts and gift planning.
Don’s professional affiliations include the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the State University of New York at Albany, and a Master’s degree from the State University of New York at Albany in Counseling and Student Personnel Services.
Don and his wife reside in Clarence Center, NY, and have two children.