YELLOW SPRINGS, Ohio – April 21, 2011 – Risa Grimes, the chief fund-raiser for Antioch College as it worked toward independence, has announced she is leaving the College, effective May 4.
“The work I’ve done for Antioch College is some of the most rewarding work I’ve ever done,” Grimes said. “I am moved and amazed by all the alumni and friends who saved this audacious little college.”
“Risa led a team that, together, accomplished something extraordinary for Antioch College. Her work was instrumental in the establishment of an independent Antioch. We owe her a debt of gratitude and wish her nothing but the best in her future professional and personal
endeavors,” Antioch College President Mark Roosevelt said.
During the last five years, Grimes has worked in every facet of
Antioch College’s advancement operation.
She was hired in 2005 as a major gifts officer. At the closing of the
College, she emerged as the institution’s chief fund-raiser, working
with the alumni to secure the funds to purchase the College and its
assets from Antioch University.
She led a team of eight that secured $10 million to obtain the college
and wrote grants totaling $4.5 million. As executive director of the
College Revival Fund, she worked intimately with the Alumni
Association Board of Directors and wrote the 501(c)3 application to
establish the Antioch College Continuation Corporation.
“I am especially proud of the Advancement Team,” Grimes added.
“Against all odds, they never gave up on the fight to reclaim Antioch
College … They are the unsung heroes of the Save Antioch movement and
they are, without a doubt, the finest advancement professionals I have
ever encountered. I will miss each and every one of them.”
Grimes came to Antioch College from Clemson University, where she
served as the director of development for the College of Architecture,
Arts and Humanities from 2002-2005. There, she raised millions of
dollars for a wide variety of projects, including a Pre Law Society
and a Creative Arts Center.
She was also the chief executive officer for Dayton’s Center for
Nonprofit Resources (1998 to 2002), where she raised more than
$500,000 annually, and Life Essentials (1988-1998), where she raised
nearly $600,000 annually.
Grimes holds a bachelor’s in marketing education from Memphis State
University and a master’s in counseling from Troy State University.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Gariot P. Louima ?
Director of Communications
Office: 937-319-6131
Mobile: 937-581-8201
glouima@antiochcollege.org