Bob Kovacevich, President
Avatar Company
2907 Red Bug Lake Rd, Castleberry, FL 32707
407.695.6618 407.695.4832 avatarway@icloud.com
Bob Kovacevich graduated from the Boston College School of Business Administration and has worked internationally in the nonprofit sector in the areas of research, planning and fund raising since 1968. He is a founding member and officer of The Association of Philanthropic Counsel and Principal of AVATAR Company, an international consultancy that provides market research, strategic planning and fund raising services to all types of nonprofit organizations. Visit http://avatarcompany.com for more information.
Education and Training
- Boston College – Graduate of the School of Business, Marketing
- Antioch College – Strategic Planning and Resource Development for Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA)
- New York Theatre Communication Group Inc. – Audience Development and Marketing
- American Council for the Arts Conferences (80 hours) – Resource Development
- Public Broadcasting Service Conferences (450 hours) – Resource Development, Strategic Planning, Market Research, Membership, Deferred Giving, Capital and Endowment Campaign Administration
- National Public Radio Conferences (320 hours) – Resource Development
- Conrad Teitell and John Brown Seminars (52 hours) – Planned Giving
- American Association of Museums Conferences (80 hours) – Resource Development
- International NSFRE Conferences (240 hours) – Resource Development
- Statistical Research Institute Seminars (20 hours) – Market Research and Analysis
Experience and Skills
Years of Experience
25 Developed volunteer structures for major fund raising programs
25 Designed and conducted annual gift programs
18 Designed and conducted deferred programs
25 Designed and managed major donor programs
18 Designed and conducted capital/endowment campaign programs
20 Prepared proposals and grants for corporate/foundation prospects
29 Designed and managed special events
23 Designed campaign case statements and other fund raising materials
10 Conducted government relations programs
15 Designed fund raising information management software
29 Conducted market research, feasibility studies and management audits
20 Conducted strategic planning initiatives
20 Managed publicity and promotion programs
18 Developed and managed membership programs
Other Related Experience
- Association of Philanthropic Counsel, Founding Board Member
- National Society of Fund Raising Executives, Central FL Chapter, Past President
- National Society of Fund Raising Executives, Former National Board Member
- American Assn of Museums, National Development Committee Former Member
- C.A.R.E., Former State of Florida Advisory Board Member
- Holocaust Memorial and Educational Resource Center, Former Board Member
Awards and Distinctions
- Founding member of The Association of Philanthropic Counsel, a national organization supporting ethical and distinguished service to the nonprofit sector
- Recently invited to become a member of AAFRC American Association of Fundraising Consultants
- AVATAR Company has been evaluated and has received the endorsement of Consultants OnTap an online referral service funded by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation
- Listed in Contributions magazine’s Who’s Who of National Fund Rasing Firms/Consultants
- Provided commentary on National Public Radio, WMFE-FM, regarding nonprofit organization management, research, planning and fund raising
- Published in Contributions magazines fund raising book, “100 Mistakes”
- Published in the Chronicle of Philanthropy and other national and regional publications
- Recognized for United Arts Fund Advancement: American Council for the Arts
- Recognized for government relations work with the Florida State Legislature
- Counseled clients in awarded Institute of Museum Services Grants
- Prepared awarded facility expansion grants for capital campaigns through the State of Florida Department of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council
- Received national awards for general resource development programs from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (NPR)
- Received national awards for deferred giving program development from NPR
- Received national awards for special events program development from NPR
- Received national awards for program underwriting initiatives from NPR
Projects funded and/or provides counsel to Institute of Museum Services, National Endowment for the Humanities, Division of Cultural Affairs State of Florida, West Virginia Department of Cultural and History, Sheila Ryan Foundation, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation, Farago Foundation, ISTEA Funding-Department of Transportation, Kresge Foundation and others.