WASHINGTON – The Heritage Foundation named Lancaster, Pa., native Jeffrey Trimbath as its John Von Kannon Fellow in Philanthropy this month.

 

John Von Kannon, an esteemed Heritage fundraiser for more than 30 years, was a mentor to the conservative movement for even longer. After John lost his battle with cancer in 2015, several Heritage members made gifts in John’s memory to fund the Von Kannon Fellowship in Philanthropy. The vision of the fellowship, entrusted to Trimbath, is to build the conservative movement and strengthen civil society by highlighting philanthropy.''

 

“We   chose Jeff for this Fellowship because he goes the extra mile to train, encourage, and mentor fellow fundraising professionals,” said John P. Fogarty, Vice President of Development at The Heritage Foundation. “He has gained a well-deserved reputation as a leader in philanthropy, and will continue to grow in influence in his new position.” 

 

In his 11 years with Heritage, Trimbath has raised tens of millions of dollars through intentional and innovative strategy and unwavering curiosity about current, inactive and prospective donors. His work is grounded in his full-orbed commitment to conservatism – social, economic, defense and theological, an element Trimbath believes is too often missing from this formulation.

 

“By connecting a donor’s generosity to their core convictions all parties benefit. It’s truly a ‘win-win’ situation,” said Trimbath. “People give to causes they care about at the heart, mind, and soul level. My intention is to equip fellow philanthropic professionals with the tools they need to unleash and grow a spirit of generosity to advance freedom, opportunity, prosperity, and civil society.”

 

Trimbath will match donors and prospects with Heritage as he has aptly done for so many years, but will also match colleagues and other outside groups with the information, inspiration, and ingenuity that they need to raise more funds for the conservative cause.He will speak at conferences and influencer gatherings, research and write, examine current trends that impact giving, and mentor other conservative fundraisers, in the spirit of the fellowship’s namesake.