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Robert "Bob" Fisher was recruited to the firm in late 2004 to build RLL's
twenty-year old non-profit, education and philanthropy practice. His years in
the non-profit sector, private sector, and government, and his unequaled
knowledge of Northern California, promised to make him a unique asset to the
firm. Bob assumed leadership of The San Francisco Foundation in 1987,
undertaking the turnaround and rehabilitation of that venerable institution
after it was stripped of its assets in the Buck Trust litigation. Within 18
months, contributions to the Foundation tripled previous annual highs and over
the nine years of Bob's leadership, contributions averaged 700% annually over
historical averages, totally about $300 million. Annual grantmaking grew from
$7 million to $46 million during those years, and the Foundation was
consistently among the top three of more than 400 community foundations
nationally in contributions received, new initiatives, national awards,
efficiency of administration, and average annual growth.
Bob was honored by the
Northern California Chapter of the National Society of Fundraising Executives
(now Association of Fundraising Professionals) as the "Outstanding Fundraising
Executive of 1996," a year in which the Foundation attracted $115 million in
gifts. In 1974, Bob became President of John F. Kennedy University, a
struggling, unaccredited, new institution representing a pioneering vision for
higher education. He relocated the University within 9 months, completed
accreditation a year later, and placed the institution on a growth trajectory
in which its funding grew twenty-five-fold during his decade of leadership. The
University's programs in museum management, career development, professional
psychology and other fields - all for mid-career adults pursuing new degrees
and careers - garnered national attention.
Bob also served as the executive
director of a variety of other non-profit organizations, ranging from
Manhattan's distinguished cultural institution, the 92nd St. Y, with its budget
(in today's dollars) of nearly $50 million, to, as an interim executive
director, Alonzo King's LINES Ballet. Since 1956, Bob has served on dozens of
non-profit boards. As a volunteer fundraiser and licensed fundraising
consultant, Bob led campaigns for organizations as diverse as the Campaign for
Harvard College, United Jewish Appeal, United Way, and Suicide Prevention of
Alameda County. Bob was a Visiting Scholar, Center on Philanthropy, London
School of Economics and Political Science, University of London, and
International Scholar-in-Residence at the Rockefeller Foundation Center in
Bellagio, Italy. He has served in a variety of national leadership roles for
the Council on Foundations and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
In the public sector, Bob spent six years with the British Home Office and
served eight years as mayor and councilman in Lafayette, California.
In the
private sector, Bob has served as the CEO of a venture capital firm, a
marketing firm, a real estate investment trust, and of two real estate
development companies. He has served on corporate boards, including that of The
Oakland Tribune. He has practiced law, served as a professor at the University
of California (Berkeley), and is a member of the Minnesota and California bars.
He has competed successfully as both amateur and professional at the world
championship level in two sports. Bob is a nationally recognized expert on
fundraising and charitable giving. His writings and consultancies embrace
non-profit management, executive coaching, crisis intervention, strategic
planning, facilities transitions, philanthropy, and organizational and board
development.
Bob received his Ph.D. from the London School of Economics and
Political Science (University of London), his Juris Doctor from the Harvard Law
School, and his A.B. magna cum laude from Harvard College.
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