Carlow University’s Anita Dacal Named “Outstanding Fundraising Executive by Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Western Pennsylvania Chapter.
| University Communications | For Immediate Release |
| Drew Wilson, Director, Media Relations | October 24, 2014 |
| 412.578.2095 (phone) | |
| 412.260.6807 (cell) | |
| 412.578.2080 (fax) | |
| agwilson@carlow.edu |
Presentation Will Be on National Philanthropy Day, November 13, atHeinz History Center Luncheon
Pittsburgh, Pa. –The Association of Fundraising Professionals-Western Pennsylvania Chapter(AFP-WPA) has named Carlow University’s Anita Sammartino Dacal as its“Outstanding Fundraising Executive” for 2014.
“The significance of Anita’s role at Carlow is undeniableand her impact is a lasting one, both on the legacy of the university and onthe lives of the many alumni she has touched,” said Carlow’s President SuzanneK. Mellon, PhD. “We are thrilled thatthe Association of Fundraising Professionals have honored her with this award.”
An alumna of Carlow’s class of 1969, Dacal was activelyinvolved in student organizations and worked as a student employee in thealumni office. Even as a student, herlove for the mission of the University and the Sisters of Mercy – Carlow’sfounders – was apparent.
Returning to Pittsburgh in 1981 after traveling the worldwith her husband, Ross, who was an opera singer, Dacal was hired at her almamater to be director of alumni relations. In that position, she developed programs designed to engage alumni andpromote the Annual Fund. After a decadeof success in alumni relations, she was named the executive director ofCarlow’s Advancement Office. She now has more than 30 years experience as a memberof Carlow’s staff, with 20 of those years being served in Advancement.
During her career at Carlow, Dacal has raised approximately$20 million in funds for the endowment, annual fund, capital projects, andother programs and initiatives. She hasorganized and guided alumni campaigns at the national level and increasedoverall alumni participation. She hassecured major gifts for three capital campaigns, and has maintained an ongoingfocus on endowment giving, leading to an increase in Carlow’s endowment fromless than $3 million to nearly $20 million in the years she has been at theUniversity.
“Anita has brought a personal touch to fundraising that istruly sincere,” said Jay Frey, CFRE, interim vice president of Advancement atCarlow. “As a result of her uniqueability to cultivate relationships and find meaningful links betweenalumni/donors and Carlow, she has inspired generosity from all walks of life,in all dollar amounts and in all capacities. At Carlow, it is not unusual to hear a donor agree to a gift ‘becauseAnita asked.’”
The AFP-WPA will present the award to Dacal at its 28thannual celebration of National Philanthropy Day on Thursday, November 13,2014. Six other awards will be presentedduring a luncheon at the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh.
### About Carlow University
Located inPittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Carlow University was founded by the Sisters of Mercyin 1929. Offering both undergraduate and graduate programs, Carlow Universityis a comprehensive master’s institution dedicated to learner-centered educationat the collegiate levels and at the elementary school level in the CampusSchool of Carlow University.