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Faculty Expert

Experts & Speakers Faculty Profile

Curtis R. Simic

President Emeritus, Indiana University Foundation
IU Foundation

Interests:

IU Foundation, philanthropy, fundraising, higher education

Education:

• B.S. at Indiana University, 1964

Background:

Curt Simic headed the IU Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to maximizing private-sector gift support for IU, from 1988 to 2008. Curt is widely recognized as national leader in fundraising for higher education, management of foundations, and foundation-institution relationships. He has more than 40 years of experience in all areas of development and alumni and external relations, at both public and private institutions of higher education.

As president of the IU Foundation, he was the Chief Development Officer for Indiana University, responsible for oversight of all fundraising in a multi-campus development operation with centralized and decentralized functions, investment of the endowment, and development-related administrative services and infrastructure.

The recipient of many awards and honors, he is a presenter and author on development topics and has been an advisor and consultant to many colleges, universities, and non-profit organizations. He has authored book chapters, articles, and brochures about the relationship between foundations and their educational institutions, the fundraising responsibilities of foundation and of institutional governing board members, faculty relations, and funding mechanisms for foundations.

Indiana University consistently ranks in the Top 20, or top 2 percent, of colleges and universities in the nation in Total Voluntary Support, the combined total of gift and non-governmental grant funds received by an institution in any given year. IU consistently ranks in the Top 15 among public universities in the market value of its endowment.

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