Huntsville, Ala. (July 1, 2013) — Benita Hopkins has been named major gifts officer in the division of University Advancement at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). She began her duties on June 12.
Hopkins brings more than 12 years work experience in the nonprofit sector, focusing on fund development. She will be responsible for identifying, cultivating and soliciting donors among alumni and friends of the university, and providing comprehensive oversight of development initiatives and activities. Hopkins will also implement stewardship strategies, and assist with planning special events to enhance the relationship between alumni, friends and the university. Before coming to UAH, she was a division director at the March of Dimes Foundation. The nonprofit organization seeks to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature births and infant mortality.
During her tenure at the agency, the March of Dimes Foundation increased mission awareness by executing strategic media and marketing initiatives and sparked philanthropic giving, generating new revenue and increasing profitability from 83 percent to 149 percent (accumulated total of $2.3 million) establishing a revenue record for the division. Under Hopkins leadership, a partnership with Huntsville Hospital was crafted to incorporate a much needed program to assist Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) families. This program is the first strategic partnership within the state of Alabama to be licensed and managed by the national organization.
Additionally, during her six years at the March of Dimes, Hopkins oversaw board recruitment and development, fund and revenue operations management, training and development, operating budget and expense control, account management, and strategic planning and execution. She also performed the agency's public relations and marketing and communications efforts.
Hopkins earned a bachelor of applied science degree in justice studies from Athens State University, and is expected to receive a master of public administration degree in national security affairs from Troy University in March 2014.