We are pleased to welcome our new Director of Major Gifts 基斯Wiggs who comes to Poly from the Elisabeth Morrow School in Englewood, NJ, where he served as Director of Development from 2016-2019, increasing parent participation in annual giving and helping secure the school’s largest single gift of $2 million. Prior to that he served as Associate Director of Development at Montclair Kimberley Academy in Montclair, NJ, where he oversaw the day-to-day fundraising during the Academy’s $23 million comprehensive campaign. His professional fundraising experience spans 30 years in higher education and cultural institutions such as The Juilliard School and Lincoln Center.

“I was attracted to Poly because of its distinguished history as a leader in the independent school world,基思说. “I have known many of its alumni families. I am also drawn to its particular place in south Brooklyn, an area that is rich in culture and diversity. 当然, the opportunity to be Director of Major Gifts at a time of growth and new leadership is especially exciting.”

Keith grew up just outside Washington, D.C. 在弗吉尼亚郊区. His father was a professor of Education at George Washington University and his mother taught in the public schools. “My first love was classical music and I had an aptitude for playing the violin,” he said. Keith attended Manhattan School of 音乐 as an undergraduate, earning a Bachelor of 音乐 degree in violin performance. 毕业后, 他在纽约和华盛顿做自由撰稿人, DC, 整整两季, he was Associate Principal 2nd Violin with the Fairfax Symphony in Virginia.

根据约翰·克罗斯比的建议, 圣达菲歌剧院的创始人, Keith applied to NYU for the graduate arts administration program. “I had always been involved with management,基思说, “首先是作为管弦乐队的经理, 然后是舞台监督, 最后，作为一名房屋经理, 在执行. 在纽约大学, I found a very comfortable outlet for my natural abilities, 尤其是我筹款的本事.”

One of Keith’s earliest jobs was with Lincoln Center where he apprenticed under New York’s top fundraisers including legendary soprano Beverly Sills, 当时的主席是谁. Keith was responsible for managing millions of dollars in grants for programs such as the 莫扎特音乐节, 林肯中心的爵士乐，和 林肯中心现场直播 广播. “为了我的下一个任务,基思说, “I literally moved next door to The Juilliard School where I witnessed firsthand the impact of philanthropy in providing educational opportunities for America’s most talented musicians, 演员, 和舞者.” Later, during his years with New York’s Orchestra of St. 卢克的, Keith raised vital support for countless artistic projects presented at Lincoln Center, 卡内基音乐厅, 十大网堵平台博物馆和BAM, 等.

In 2006, Keith moved to New Jersey with his family and took senior positions with Montclair State University where he completed a multi-million dollar comprehensive campaign that included the opening of the John J. 加州音乐学院.

Poly is fortunate to have Keith at this unusual time in New York City history. “Thanks to my solid foundation in fundraising and my early exposure to the New York philanthropic community, I am well-prepared to help Poly bring its long-held aspirations to reality, whether the projects are arts-related or not,基思说. “Ironically, some of the biggest projects on which I’ve taken the lead were in the natural sciences. 还有一些是给学者的, and still others were about organizational development and capacity building. What these things have in common is my commitment to expanding and diversifying sources of contributed support for worthy initiatives.”

“While there are many worthy organizations vying for your attention, Poly is your home and you can make a major impact on the educational opportunities available to its students. 这需要 每个人的 participation in philanthropy to support that 卓越边际 that is a hallmark of great institutions.”

基斯Wiggs

This is not the first time that Keith has encountered an economic downturn during his long career in fundraising. “I can say with all candor that wealth and philanthropic spirit co-exist even in challenging times,基思说. “It is true that we are facing unprecedented obstacles to communications because of the pandemic. There won’t be many face-to-face visits, cocktail receptions, or donor lunches in the near future.  然而, thanks to new technologies like Zoom and good old-fashioned letter writing and phone calls, I am sure that I can make a compelling case for supporting Poly.”

Keith wants Poly alumni and parents to know, “While there are many worthy organizations vying for your attention, Poly is your home and you can make a major impact on the educational opportunities available to its students. 这需要 每个人的 participation in philanthropy to support that 卓越边际 that is a hallmark of great institutions.”

On a personal level, Keith enjoys reading, exercising, and playing the violin. He and his husband, Ted LeFevre, have twin college-age sons, 康纳 and Taylor. “Despite my background in classical music, I enjoy attending alternative rock festivals with my 19-year-old-son, 康纳,基思说. “We are planning on doing the European circuit once the COVID-19 pandemic is over.”