Elizabeth Kolb Farr

Elizabeth Kolb Farr, Senior Vice President, joined the firm in 2017 and in 2021 was named Practice Area Leader for GG+A’s Independent Schools Practice Area. Liz serves the firm’s independent school and higher education clients, supporting them in identifying and seizing opportunities for fundraising growth.

She holds particular expertise in instituting and orchestrating high-performance major gift programs, preparing for and executing capital campaigns, sustaining and accelerating annual giving, coaching frontline fundraisers, and training Boards in fundraising and campaign best practices. Liz's article “The Importance of Fundraising Strategy” was recently featured in Independent School, the magazine of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). She was also a featured contributor in the NAIS book, "The Trustee's Role in Fundraising."

Liz possesses significant experience in performing advancement program assessments and campaign feasibility studies that result in clear, actionable recommendations for accelerating fundraising during or between campaigns. She is an expert in designing moves management protocols and ensuring their effective use, developing individual prospect strategies, and utilizing Raiser’s Edge and other databases to set and analyze fundraising metrics.

Before joining GG+A, Liz enjoyed a 27-year career in independent schools. Beginning as a teacher in boarding and day schools, she maintains a passion for teaching and learning. Liz most recently served as Associate Director of Development at The Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, Pa.

An active volunteer for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), Liz has served on the Planning Committee of three CASE-NAIS Independent Schools Conferences and has presented several conference sessions, each time earning Stellar Speaker honors. Liz has also taught both professionals and volunteers assembled by the Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools, the Association of Independent Maryland Schools, and the Association of Junior Leagues International. She is a past President of the Junior League of Philadelphia, where she was a five-time member of the Board of Directors, chaired the Annual Fund twice, and co-chaired the organization’s first-ever capital campaign.

Liz is an alumna of Friends’ Central School and holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Vassar College. She lives in South Kent, Conn., with her husband, Chris, an advancement professional.

Clients:

• American College of Sofia
• Association of Junior Leagues International
• The Bryn Mawr School
• Bucknell University
• Delaware Valley Friends School
• Episcopal School of Dallas
• Far Hills Country Day School
• Germantown Friends School
• Girls Preparatory School
• Greenhill School
• Hood College
• King School
• The Kinkaid School
• Kutztown University
• The Lovett School
• The Madeira School
• Manzano Day School
• Montclair Kimberley Academy
• National Cathedral School
• New Canaan Country School
• Polytechnic School
• San Francisco Friends School
• Sewickley Academy
• Sidwell Friends School
• St. Christopher’s School
• St. John’s High School
• The St. Paul’s Schools
• Woodlynde School