Monday, Jan 8, 2024
He will oversee all fundraising, advancement initiatives for development and alumni relations
by Rachel Stengel '14, '20
Rider University is pleased to welcome Keith Richardson ’99, ’09 as its new vice president of University Advancement. In this role, he will oversee all fundraising for Rider, including the completion of its successful Transforming Students - Transforming Lives campaign, and advancement initiatives for development and alumni relations. His first day is Jan. 8.
Richardson brings more than 20 years of experience in fundraising, development and donor cultivation. Most recently, he served as vice president of university advancement for Gwynedd Mercy University, where he led his team to a number of historic achievements. Richardson led the University to its best consecutive fundraising years, including its best ever with $13.8 million raised and the highest number of cash gifts in a year.
He also launched Gwynedd Mercy’s Mercy in Motion campaign, aligned with the University’s 75th anniversary celebration. His team exceeded the campaign’s $19 million quiet-phase goal with a total of $23.5 million raised since January of 2022. Additionally, the university secured a historic eight-figure gift and four seven-figure commitments since the launch of the campaign.
“In addition to Keith’s impressive fundraising track record, his strong ability to connect with and cultivate donors, and inspire his teams to surpass their goals makes him the perfect fit for the role,” says Rider President Gregory G. Dell’Omo, Ph.D. “I am confident that he will continue to propel the momentum our University Advancement team has created since the beginning of Transforming Students - Transforming Lives.”
I am excited to work with the advancement team and the University community to continue exceeding the goals of the 'Transforming Students - Transforming Lives' campaign.”
A proud double alumnus, Richardson earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a major in marketing and his Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in higher education from Rider. As a student, he was a member of the men’s soccer team and, in 2010, was inducted into the Rider Athletics Hall of Fame.
“I am thankful for the opportunity to return to my alma mater where I started my career in higher education and fundraising,” says Richardson. “I am excited to work with the advancement team and the University community to continue exceeding the goals of the Transforming Students - Transforming Lives campaign.”
Previously, he served as vice president of external affairs at Delaware Valley University where he led the university to its second-best fundraising year, while securing several seven-figure commitments. Prior to DelVal, Richardson served as the assistant vice president of leadership programs at Monmouth University, as the director of athletic development, major gifts at the Rutgers University Foundation, and as the director and associate director of major gifts at Rider University. Throughout these experiences, Richardson provided strategic direction for fundraising, growing a culture of philanthropic giving, alumni engagement, marketing and communications.
A resident of Lawrenceville, New Jersey, Richardson also serves as a board member of the Capital Area YMCA and a volunteer with the Lawrence Hamnett Soccer Association. Previously, he has served on the board of directors for the Bucks County Economic Development Corporation and as a member of the New Jersey Chapter of Rotary International of Trenton.