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Promoting Excellence in Fundraising and Philanthropy Since 1980
In the summer of 1980, six development directors, at the urging of Peter Gallagher, met at the Bengal Tiger in White Plains, New York, to talk about their agencies and fundraising issues. The group called themselves the Westchester Association of Development Officers (WADO) and Dick Kennedy became the first president. The first official luncheon meeting with a speaker was in the fall of that year. In 1993, WADO incorporated as a membership corporation, with a mission to promote the business of fundraising, to encourage members to enhance their education in the field of development, and to provide members with information about the far-ranging and ever-changing facets of their profession. In 2003, “Westchester” was dropped from the name to reflect the growing number of members located in Putnam, Rockland, and Dutchess counties. In 2004, ADO presented our first awards ceremony (the Philanthropy Awards Breakfast) to heighten awareness throughout the region of the importance of philanthropy and fundraising. Over the years, we have implemented various educational events including full-day conferences, breakfast clubs, Meet the Funders events, and Ask the Experts roundtables. Programming has included a mentoring program, scholarship/internship program, and a fundraising and board development certificate program with SUNY Purchase. In 2008, ADO became a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to promoting philanthropy and providing educational enrichment. Dozens of presidents have served the organization, alongside hundreds of volunteer board members. |
ADO's former (and first!) Executive Director, Julie Sootin, with Founder Peter Gallagher |
