Former Northwestern fundraiser to head development at UIC

Senior fundraising executive Jeff Nearhoof has been named vice chancellor for development at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

He will also be a senior vice president of the University of Illinois Foundation.

The appointment, announced today by UIC Chancellor Paula Allen‑Meares and Foundation President Thomas J. Farrell, is subject to the approval of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. Nearhoof will start at the university on Oct. 14.

“Mr. Nearhoof is a senior advancement professional who brings innovation, a breadth of experience, and a 30‑year track record of success to this critical role at UIC,” said Allen‑Meares. “Jeff’s fundraising background is richly varied and encompasses many areas of academic strength on this campus and strategic areas we will focus on.”

Farrell said Nearhoof is “the right person at the right time” to build on the momentum from the successful Brilliant Futures campaign, which closed at the end of 2011 and raised $2.43 billion — including nearly $676 million for UIC.

“UIC is well positioned,” Farrell said, “to benefit from much higher levels of philanthropic investment. Jeff will be focused on unlocking this potential.”

“UIC is one of the nation’s premier urban universities, and I am deeply impressed with its mission,” said Nearhoof.

“I welcome the opportunity to work closely with UIC Chancellor Allen‑Meares and UIF President Tom Farrell, and to partner with the dedicated alumni volunteers, faculty, staff and students whose work is impacting the Chicago community, state of Illinois, and the nation. I look forward to engaging with alumni and friends and advancing philanthropy for the benefit of UIC.”

Nearhoof most recently was the associate dean for development at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, where he was executive director of a campaign. He helped coordinate planning activities and fundraising teams for the Feinberg development team, the central Northwestern University development operation, and the affiliated hospitals.

In earlier positions, he was director of development and external relations for the University of Michigan School of Music, and director of development, individual giving and external affairs for engineering at Case Western Reserve University. He also held development positions at the Lyric Opera in Cleveland and the Cleveland Ballet. He has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Bowling Green State University.