Mark Whittaker is a Senior Consultant for Jerold Panas, Linzy & Partners – a major force in the field of Financial Resource Development. The firm has served over 4000 client-institutions since its founding in 1968. Mark joined the firm and the faculty of the Institute for Charitable Giving in 2013.

Mark’s consulting experience includes over 40 nonprofit organizations where he provided comprehensive fundraising solutions resulting in more than $650 million in voluntary support.

Mark has 39 years of experience as a Vice President in charge of fundraising at five institutions. These included Sweet Briar College and Hollins University in Virginia; Stetson University and Flagler College in Florida; and Rhodes College in Tennessee.

His programs were not only successful, they became models for other Development offices to follow. Under his leadership, Stetson University twice received the Circle of Excellence in Educational Fundraising Award for Overall Performance. This was cited by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

At Sweet Briar College, annual gift participation from alumnae increased to a record a record 64 percent – one of the highest in the nation. Their Campaign Case Statement won a national CASE Award.

Mark was involved in raising $28.5 million for Sweet Briar College – when the College went through its nationally publicized closing. The funds were raised in 90 days.

He is recognized by his peers as a results-oriented leader and a proven mentor. He has provided management direction for a countless number of programs, projects, and people.

He was one of the first in the profession to earn the Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) credential. As a member of the first Commission on Fundraising, sponsored by CASE, Mark helped write the original gift policies, procedures, and accounting practices for higher education.

Mark is a graduate of the University of Maine in Orono. He began his career serving his alma mater’s Alumni Office. He is also an alumnus of the Harvard University Institute for Educational Management.

He is a Certified Fundraising Executive and a designated Senior Philanthropic Advisor. As they say, he walks the talk. Mark specializes in coaching presidents, development officers, fundraising vice presidents, major gift officers and volunteers in all areas of development.

Mark Whittaker is the rare combination of exceptional fundraiser, visionary program leader, and extraordinary consultant.