Kimberly Churches is Vice President for Development at Brookings, overseeing the Institution's fundraising activities and leading the planning and direction of the Institution's comprehensive campaign.
Before joining Brookings in August 2011, Kim was associate vice chancellor for development at the University of Denver. At DU, she provided leadership for the ASCEND campaign, working closely with the board of trustees and senior management which raised, at her departure, $300 million for the University. Prior to joining DU, she was director of development at the University of North Florida where she was responsible for major and principal gift fundraising, advisory council development and community affairs for the Coggin College of Business. Under her leadership, Kim raised all contributions associated with the college’s inaugural Career Management Center, which opened in spring 2007 on time and under budget.
Previously, as the director of development at the Broward Performing Arts Foundation in Fort Lauderdale, Kim was responsible for annual giving and planned giving while also securing major gifts to support the $12 million endowment campaign. Kim increased annual corporate support by 290% at the Foundation and has demonstrated success in individual and foundation gifts.
In May of 2002, Kim earned her professional certification as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). Active within her profession, she has served the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) since 1997—both locally and internationally—serving as the international chair for Education/Training for AFP International, a past president of the Fort Lauderdale/Broward Chapter of the AFP, and the prestigious Committee on Directorship for the 26,000+ member association. Kim served as the curriculum chair for the Emerging Leaders in Development year-long program in Colorado, and was the board development chair and board member for the Montessori Academy of Colorado. She currently serves as a Trustee on the Association of Fundraising Professionals Political Action Committee and continues to volunteer her time with international adoption organizations.
Kim lives with her daughter Ruby in Washington.