Jim McKey

Senior Vice President

Through careful listening and in-depth analysis, I seek to understand the unique qualities and challenges of each client. Becoming a valued partner to staff, leaders and boards is the most satisfying outcome of my work.

Biography

Jim McKey, Practice Area Leader for Independent Schools and Senior Vice President, brings more than 25 years of experience in fundraising and administration for academic institutions.

Jim has extensive experience in planning and managing campaigns; evaluating current programs; defining successful donor strategies; working with governing boards; and identifying opportunities and solutions for growth.

Before joining GG+A full-time, Jim served for 12 years as Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Earlham College, where he managed a staff of 25 and oversaw development, alumni relations, foundation relations, and communications. Under his leadership, Earlham completed a comprehensive campaign that raised $68 million, surpassing its $60 million goal.

Jim also served as Director of Advancement for George School, where he managed a staff of 13 and a campaign that exceeded its $28 million goal. Under Jim's leadership, George School received the Council for Advancement and Support of Education Circle of Excellence Award for overall fundraising performance. His cultivation and stewardship of the School’s lead donor paved the way for a $128 million gift, the largest gift ever to an independent school, and a subsequent bequest of $30 million.

Earlier, Jim was the Director of Development at Friends’ Central School and served as President of the Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools. Jim began his career as an educator in independent schools, teaching history and providing counseling to college-bound students. A career transition led him to the banking industry, where he served the credit and public finance needs of schools, colleges, museums, and hospitals at First National Bank of Chicago.

Jim’s previous consulting engagements included providing campaign counsel to numerous Friends schools and Quaker organizations. He has served on the boards of the Friends Council on Education and the Richmond Art Museum.

Jim holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Earlham College and a master’s degree in teaching from Brown University.

  • The American Association for the Advancement of Science
  • American College of Financial Services
  • Collegiate School (VA)
  • Dana Hall School
  • Dartmouth College
  • DePauw University
  • Durham University
  • Episcopal Academy
  • Friends' Central School
  • Friends School of Baltimore
  • International School of Indiana
  • Kenyon College
  • Latin School of Chicago
  • London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
  • Loomis Chaffee School
  • Miami University
  • Middlebury College
  • University of Minnesota
  • Montclair Kimberley Academy
  • National Cathedral School
  • Prince’s Trust International
  • San Francisco Friends School
  • Sidwell Friends School
  • Solar Impulse
  • The University of Toledo
  • Tower Hill School
  • University of Dayton
  • Upper Canada College
  • Vanderbilt University
  • The University of Vermont
  • Westtown School
  • William Penn Charter School

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