CENTER ON PHILANTHROPY PRESENTS SPIRIT OF PHILANTHROPY
AWARD TO ROBERT F. HARTSOOK, JD, EdD
BIO

Indianapolis (April 16, 2004) – Robert F. Hartsook, JD, EdD, received the Spirit of Philanthropy Award from the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University on April 22 in Indianapolis. This prestigious award recognizes his national leadership in the field of philanthropy, and his significant support of the Center and university.

Hartsook is Chairman and CEO of Hartsook Companies, Inc., one of the nation's leading fundraising-consulting firms. He has homes on Wrightsville Beach, N.C., and in Kansas City, Mo.

The Center on Philanthropy also honored Richard A. Behrenhausen of Chicago, President and CEO of the McCormick Tribune Foundation.

"Bob Hartsook is among the country's premier thinkers and counselors," said Eugene R. Tempel, Executive Director of the Center on Philanthropy. "His writings, his philosophy and his success have helped influence the scope, direction and practice of philanthropy today. It is fitting that the Center on Philanthropy recognizes his impressive impact."

Hartsook, who recently was named a Distinguished Alumnus of Emporia State University (Emporia, Kan.), believes every organization deserves to have its dream tested, that people in our country really want to make a difference and that – properly prepared – they will step up to the task. Since its founding in 1987, Hartsook Companies, Inc., has conducted more than 1,300 campaigns ranging from $500,000 to more than $1 billion. This year, Hartsook Companies expects to conduct 250 campaigns nationwide. The web site: www.hartsookcompanies.com.

"To be recognized by an organization as prestigious as the Center on Philanthropy is a true honor," Hartsook said. "Their reputation for excellence and leadership in unparalleled. I deeply value the relationship I and my firm have with the Center on Philanthropy, its Executive Director Gene Tempel, and the impressive professionals on their staff."

Hartsook's ability to write, teach and inspire confidence has earned a devoted audience for his seminars, books and articles. Through the years, his byline and insight have appeared in leading publications, including The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Financial Times, The Nonprofit Times and Planned Giving Today. He is a columnist for Philanthropy International Magazine.

He has also written five books, all published by ASR Philanthropic Publishing (www.ASRpublishing.com). His latest, "On the Money!" was released at the Association of Fundraising Professionals' International Conference in March in Seattle. It is an enlightening collection of success stories and lessons learned from nonprofit fundraising campaigns nationwide.

The Center on Philanthropy operates programs on the campuses of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and Indiana University Bloomington. The Center on Philanthropy's mission is to increase the understanding of philanthropy and improve its practice. It creates and shares knowledge about giving, volunteering and best practices in nonprofit management and develops the next generation of philanthropy leaders and scholars.

Note to editors: For more information about Hartsook Companies, Inc., please visit www.hartsookcompanies.com. For Bob Hartsook's full biography follow this link: http://www.hartsookcompanies.com/bios.shtml. If you require a high-resolution photo, please e-mail Erika Turner, erika@hartsookcompanies.com or reach her at 316.630.9992.