Kate Troelstra

A graduate of Johns Hopkins University, Kate Troelstra began her development career there as a phonathon caller and later phonathon supervisor. Since graduation, Kate has been in development for more than twenty-eight years, spending seven years in annual giving before moving into major gifts. She has experience in a wide range of fundraising settings including liberal arts colleges, public research universities, professional schools, and independent schools.

Most recently, Kate held the position of Vice President of University Advancement at Clayton State University where she oversaw a team of seventeen in development, alumni relations, and communications. During her time there, Clayton State University successfully planned and launched its first-ever comprehensive campaign that exceeded goal nearly twelve months early. Annual Fund and Total Gifts increased in excess of 100% in four and five years respectively. Both Board and faculty engagement increased significantly during her tenure.

Prior to joining Clayton State University, Kate was the Senior Director of Development at Clemson University where she oversaw prospect research, managed hiring, employee orientation and professional development, prepared most reports and analysis for the campaign and reinvestment fee, and carried a portfolio of major gift prospects focused mainly in Atlanta. 

Before going to Clemson, Kate was at Providence Day School for ten years – first as Associate Director of Development/Director of Major Gifts and then as Assistant Headmaster for Development where she was responsible for all development, alumni, and communications programs. Prior to assuming her new responsibilities as Assistant Headmaster, she managed a significant portfolio of major gifts prospects, was responsible for all campaign events and directed all prospect and volunteer management. 

Her experiences prior to Providence Day includes managing a team of 1,500 volunteers as Associate Director of Annual Giving at Rutgers University, implementing a volunteer structure for both annual and major gifts as a Major Gifts Officer at The Dickinson School of Law of The Pennsylvania State University and creating a sustainable phonathon program at both Reed College and Lycoming College. Kate has had extensive and successful experience in cultivating, soliciting and stewarding gifts of all sizes throughout her career from first-time annual fund gifts to transformational planned gifts.

Throughout her career, Kate has been an active volunteer for the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). She served two terms as treasurer for District III and conference co-chair for the 2011 Joint District III/IV Conference. As a speaker, she has spoken at the Summer Institute in Educational Fundraising, District III, CASE/NAIS, CASE Newcomers in Development and CASE Campaign Strategies Conferences on topics including campaigns, feasibility studies, Board/volunteer management, and various annual fund topics. In 2007, she received CASE’s crystal apple for excellence in teaching. In 2017, the Georgia Educational Advancement Council honored Kate with an Award of Excellence in Educational Fundraising.