Mike Porter
Tucson
Summary
Development professional with experience in major-gift fundraising, donor qualification, annual giving platforms, and relationship building.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Director, Gift Planning
University of Arizona Foundation
Tucson, AZ
07.2025 - Current
- Promoted planned giving options among donors, achieving long-term financial stability for the organization through endowment growth.
- Collaborated with unit Development Officers to identify appropriate giving vehicles for donors to optimize philanthropic impact.
- Qualified planned giving donors and identified indications of a donor's potential for a planned gift.
- Collaborated with external estate planning, financial planning and tax and law experts regarding planned giving vehicles.
- Secured over $900,000 in gift commitments.
Discovery Leadership Giving Officer
University of Arizona Foundation
Tucson, AZ
01.2025 - 07.2025
- Managed portfolio of donors and conducted regular outreach to cultivate their relationship with the University of Arizona.
- Conducted research on potential donors, identifying opportunities to strengthen relationships and increase contributions.
- Qualified potential major-gift donors based on affinity, capacity, and philanthropic interest.
- Collaborated with Development Officers and the Prospect Development team to ensure alignment on unit priorities and portfolio health.
- Implemented process improvements that streamlined workflows, reducing redundancies and increasing operational efficiency for the team.
Student Development Program Manager
Kansas State University Foundation
Manhattan, KS
03.2022 - 09.2024
- Managed a staff of student employees and directed daily fundraising and outreach efforts to university alumni and donors.
- Recruited, hired, and trained 40+ employees.
- Oversaw annual gift solicitations that raised over $930,000 for Kansas State University.
- Performed annual performance reviews and provided coaching feedback on a daily basis.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Political Science
Kansas State University
Manhattan05-2021
Skills
- Team collaboration and leadership
- Major gift fundraising
- Key relationship management
- Onboarding and training
- Donor Qualification
- Coaching and mentoring
Timeline
Associate Director, Gift Planning
University of Arizona Foundation
07.2025 - Current
Discovery Leadership Giving Officer
University of Arizona Foundation
01.2025 - 07.2025
Student Development Program Manager
Kansas State University Foundation
03.2022 - 09.2024
Bachelor of Science - Political Science
Kansas State University