NEW YORK, NY, August 23, 2022— Bonnie Blankenship has garnered $7.1 million dollars for non-profits over the past 8 years alone, with over 20 years’ experience in successful donor gift planning. She has increased giving by individuals, foundations, corporations, and government agencies to mission-driven organizations in education, the arts, and numerous social justice causes by successfully communicating their vision, achievements, and plans for growth. Prior to her current position at Guttman Community College, she served as Director of Development for the I Have A Dream Foundation. Blankenship created a major donor circle yielding $1.5 million dollars and increased foundation giving by 90%.
“I’m thrilled to be joining the Guttman community at its 10th anniversary of serving students. My entire career has been spent guiding donors to important mission-driven endeavors, and I look forward to continuing that work by telling the stories of Guttman’s game-changing education to others who want to be part of its growth,” said Bonnie Blankenship.
As Director of Institutional Advancement & Donor Relations, Blankenship will serve as a member of the President’s Strategy and Implementation Team (PSIT) and provide support to the Guttman Community College Foundation. Additionally, she will partner with the college community to develop and implement fundraising campaigns to support Guttman’s diverse student population. Blankenship will also provide leadership to the marketing and communications department to ensure a streamlined and integrated communications program that will help cultivate meaningful relationships with keys audiences, support enrollment campaigns, and amplify the College’s brand and impact locally and nationally.
“Bonnie brings a wealth of experience from both public and private sectors. Her rare blend of passion for equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging-with demonstrable fundraising talent-resonated with our search committee. I am elated that Bonnie will partner with the Guttman community and College Foundation to leverage our storied past, as we plan for future growth and expansion,” said Dr. Larry Johnson, President, Guttman Community College.
Bonnie Blankenship’s appointment will become effective September 6, 2022.
Stella and Charles Guttman Community College welcomed its inaugural cohort of students in August 2012. It was CUNY’s first new community college in more than forty years with the purpose of reimagining a community college that would create a research-based innovative academic program geared to moving students quickly and efficiently towards graduation. The three-year graduation rate is more than twice the national average, and the two-year graduation rate far exceeds the 4% national average of public two-year colleges in large cities. Guttman is federally designated as a Hispanic-serving institution and Minority-serving institution with more than 90% of the student population identifying at Latinx/a/o or Black/African American. More than 80% of Guttman graduates go on to senior colleges, with many of them continuing at CUNY schools. Guttman’s high graduation rates contribute greatly to the College being ranked as the best community college in America in 2020, and the top community college in New York State for 2020, 2021 and 2022 by Niche.com and other ranking agencies.
