October 10, 2008

Kinkelaar named to SIU Foundation post

by Emily Britton

amber

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- A former student caller who raised more than $100,000 for the Southern Illinois University Foundation was recently hired as the assistant director of annual giving.

Amber Kinkelaar, a 2007 SIU Carbondale graduate, began working for the Foundation on Sept. 21. Kinkelaar will assist the director of annual giving in overseeing fundraising operations, including hiring, training and supervising 60 to 70 student callers, who contact alumni and friends nationwide to generate support for the University.

Kinkelaar will benefit from first-hand knowledge of the Foundation’s operations. As a student caller, she was a part of the “$100,000 Club.”

“Calling for the SIU Foundation provided me with a strong foundation in fundraising concepts and gift solicitation,” Kinkelaar says.

Kinkelaar also worked as an advertising representative at the Daily Egyptian, where she was named Rookie of the Year in 2006.

Kinkelaar says she is excited to return to the Foundation.

“I thoroughly enjoy fundraising and I believe that it shows in my dedication and quality of work,” Kinkelaar adds.

Nanditha Balasubramanian, associate director of institutional advancement and director of annual giving, shares Kinkelaar’s enthusiasm.

“Amber’s success as a student caller will be an asset to the department,” she says.