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#TheOG50: The one with Bill Miller
"If's everything's a priority, nothing's a priority. Focus drives impact."
—William (Bill) Miller, President & CEO, Kean University Foundation
Bill Miller doesn’t just talk about transformation, he lives it. As President and CEO of the Kean University Foundation, Bill has helped grow his team nearly 4x in seven years, launched the university’s first comprehensive campaign in two decades, and contributed to over $1 billion raised in philanthropic support throughout his career.
Bill’s journey in advancement has been rooted in strategy, people, and purpose. But if you ask him what he’s most proud of, it’s not the dollars, but the team he’s built and the people he’s mentored.
$1 Billion and Counting
Bill’s fundraising journey spans nearly two decades and crosses multiple sectors. But his heart has always been in education and health. He credits successful fundraising to a few key ingredients: a compelling story, a strong plan, institutional trust, and a passionate team.
“People want to invest in something that’s impactful. When you pair a powerful mission with great leadership, the money follows.”
At Kean University Foundation, he’s applying these principles to fuel the university’s R2 research ambitions, growing enrollment, and expanding donor reach, especially through their current quiet-phase comprehensive campaign.
From Fundraising to Foundation-building
One of Bill’s proudest milestones is watching his team thrive. He’s passionate about mentoring others and watching them grow into industry leaders.
“If you asked me 15 years ago, I might’ve said my biggest gift. Today, it’s seeing the people I’ve worked with go on to do great things.”
Bill’s leadership philosophy is simple: take care of yourself so you can take care of your team. With a strong culture and high retention at the Foundation, it’s clear that philosophy is paying off.
Charting the Next Chapter at Kean
With Kean now classified as an R2-designated institution and enrollment on the rise, Bill is laser-focused on executing their comprehensive campaign, and setting the stage for the next one.
“We’re in a strong moment of growth, and this campaign is a way to fuel the university’s future.”
And while AI and digital tools are beginning to shape philanthropy, Bill remains grounded in one truth: people give to people.
What’s next for Bill and Kean University Foundation?
A completed campaign. A growing team. A bold vision. But also - making space for joy. Bill jokes that he was voted “Most Likely to Be on a Talk Show” in high school, and if you’ve ever been in a room with him, you know why.
He brings passion, wit, and purpose to every interaction, making him not just a leader in fundraising, but a catalyst for lasting impact.
Connect with him on LinkedIn and don’t forget to nominate the next incredible leader in advancement for the #TheOG50!
"If's everything's a priority, nothing's a priority. Focus drives impact."
—William (Bill) Miller, President & CEO, Kean University Foundation
Bill Miller doesn’t just talk about transformation, he lives it. As President and CEO of the Kean University Foundation, Bill has helped grow his team nearly 4x in seven years, launched the university’s first comprehensive campaign in two decades, and contributed to over $1 billion raised in philanthropic support throughout his career.
Bill’s journey in advancement has been rooted in strategy, people, and purpose. But if you ask him what he’s most proud of, it’s not the dollars, but the team he’s built and the people he’s mentored.
$1 Billion and Counting
Bill’s fundraising journey spans nearly two decades and crosses multiple sectors. But his heart has always been in education and health. He credits successful fundraising to a few key ingredients: a compelling story, a strong plan, institutional trust, and a passionate team.
“People want to invest in something that’s impactful. When you pair a powerful mission with great leadership, the money follows.”
At Kean University Foundation, he’s applying these principles to fuel the university’s R2 research ambitions, growing enrollment, and expanding donor reach, especially through their current quiet-phase comprehensive campaign.
From Fundraising to Foundation-building
One of Bill’s proudest milestones is watching his team thrive. He’s passionate about mentoring others and watching them grow into industry leaders.
“If you asked me 15 years ago, I might’ve said my biggest gift. Today, it’s seeing the people I’ve worked with go on to do great things.”
Bill’s leadership philosophy is simple: take care of yourself so you can take care of your team. With a strong culture and high retention at the Foundation, it’s clear that philosophy is paying off.
Charting the Next Chapter at Kean
With Kean now classified as an R2-designated institution and enrollment on the rise, Bill is laser-focused on executing their comprehensive campaign, and setting the stage for the next one.
“We’re in a strong moment of growth, and this campaign is a way to fuel the university’s future.”
And while AI and digital tools are beginning to shape philanthropy, Bill remains grounded in one truth: people give to people.
What’s next for Bill and Kean University Foundation?
A completed campaign. A growing team. A bold vision. But also - making space for joy. Bill jokes that he was voted “Most Likely to Be on a Talk Show” in high school, and if you’ve ever been in a room with him, you know why.
He brings passion, wit, and purpose to every interaction, making him not just a leader in fundraising, but a catalyst for lasting impact.
Connect with him on LinkedIn and don’t forget to nominate the next incredible leader in advancement for the #TheOG50!
Blackbaud, the leading provider of software for powering social impact, and Almabase, the digital-first alumni engagement solution, have announced the expansion of their partnership to the education sectors of Canada and the United Kingdom. The partnership will provide institutions with a modern, digital-first solution to improve constituent data, drive self-serve engagement, and boost event participation.
A Unified Vision
The partnership aligns with Blackbaud’s commitment to customer-centric innovation across digital engagement, Advancement CRM, and financials.
“Partners bring integrated capabilities that extend capabilities and outcomes for Blackbaud customers. We are thrilled that Almabase’s offering, integrated with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT® and leveraging Blackbaud’s best-in-class payment solution, Blackbaud Merchant Services™, is now available to even more of our customers around the world.”
- Liz Price, Sr. Director of Global Partners at Blackbaud
