Donald A. Cooke served as Senior Vice President for Philanthropy of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation from 2005 to 2022. His responsibilities included providing strategy, oversight and leadership to the Foundation’s grant-making programs in democracy and civics, communities, education, violence and justice reform, veterans and special initiatives. He has worked extensively on national issues of returning veterans.
Prior, Don worked at the Franklin Institute Science Museum in Philadelphia, serving as director of the Fels Planetarium, vice president for external affairs, and acting museum director. He subsequently headed up fundraising and marketing at the Philadelphia Orchestra and at Chicago’s Field Museum in Chicago. He has raised $1 billion (including running six capital campaigns).
He is an author and frequent lecturer and has served on several nonprofit boards, including the USO Board of Governors (and Chairman of the Midwest region), Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Chairman of Forefront and Illinois Joining Forces. He has been honored by Forefront and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Select Clients
Robert R. McCormick Foundation
Field Museum
Philadelphia Orchestra
Franklin Institute Science Museum
Brady
Education & Credentials
B.A. Physics & Astronomy, Williams College
Additional studies, Harvard University
Related Resources
Giving by Foundations: Trends & Insights Webinar
