North Florida Land Trust’s Director of Philanthropic Service Lee Anderson Louy has been named a Thomas Mulkeen Award Winner by the University of North Florida. Louy received the honor for the doctoral dissertation that best exemplifies practice-centered inquiry. Her dissertation is titled The Role Academic Deans Play in Public Higher Education Fundraising.
“We are proud of Lee for this wonderful honor and are very lucky that she is a leader in our philanthropic department,” said Jim McCarthy, president of NFLT. “Lee joined us in August of last year and has helped to expand our donor base. We could not do what we do without her efforts.”
In her dissertation, Louy focused on understanding the role of the academic dean in fundraising from their perspective and how to better prepare them for their role. She noted academic deans are expected to fundraise on day one of their deanships despite the lack of professional fundraising training. She found academic deans are visionary leaders who practice patience and active listening making them the best to build and guide donor relationships.
Louy received her doctorate of education and masters in public administration from the University of North Florida where she also served as director of development for its College of Education and Human Services before joining NFLT. At UNF, she worked closely with academic deans to develop strategies and secure financial funding for the college. Through her efforts, she was able to help secure $8.3 million in gifts and commitments.
Louy is now leading the fundraising arm for the nonprofit land conservation organization which includes the Amelia Forever Campaign, the campaign to save the Small Islands, the O2O Wildlife Corridor Campaign and the general donation campaign which helps the nonprofit with acquisitions, stewardship and operating costs.
About North Florida Land Trust
North Florida Land Trust is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the quality of life by protecting North Florida’s irreplaceable natural environment. Founded in 1999, NFLT has preserved tens of thousands of acres of land through the donation or purchase of land as well as conservation easements. NFLT is funded largely by private and corporate contributions and works closely with willing landowners and public agencies at all levels of government, not-for-profit partners, and foundations.
