Christopher Dake
About Christopher Dake
Christopher Dake serves as Vice President at CCS, where he has led educational initiatives on gift planning since 2015. He has extensive experience in fundraising and development, having held various roles at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and other organizations.
Work at CCS Fundraising
Christopher Dake has served as Vice President at CCS Fundraising since 2015. In this role, he has led educational activities focused on gift planning across the firm. His leadership includes the recruitment and management of an editorial team that produces philanthropic thought leadership articles for prominent industry publications. Dake has also implemented initiatives such as a new service day during large team conferences, which has become a regular aspect of the firm's operations.
Previous Experience at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Dake has held multiple positions at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He worked as an Advertising Production/Traffic Coordinator from 2000 to 2002, followed by roles as Administrative Coordinator of Development from 2002 to 2003, Assistant Manager for Major Gifts, Endowment and Planned Giving from 2003 to 2004, and Capital Campaign Senior Specialist from 2014 to 2015. His tenure at the Kennedy Center spanned various functions within the organization, contributing to its fundraising and development efforts.
Experience in Nonprofit Sector
Dake has extensive experience in the nonprofit sector, including his role as Director of the SHARE FOOD Network at Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington from 2007 to 2011. He also served as Major Gifts Officer at the same organization from 2005 to 2007. Additionally, he worked as Senior Manager of Executive Relations at The Alliance to Save Energy from 2011 to 2013 and as Campaign Director for Team In Training at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society from 2013 to 2014.
Education and Expertise
Christopher Dake earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Xavier University. His educational background supports his expertise in fundraising, board governance, and best practices in philanthropy. Dake has also taught classes to colleagues aimed at enhancing their certifications as fundraising executives, demonstrating his commitment to professional development in the field.
Fundraising Achievements
Throughout his career, Dake has collectively raised $115 million in five years through client engagements in the Mid-Atlantic and South regions. His fundraising efforts have significantly contributed to the financial success of the organizations he has worked with, showcasing his effectiveness in developing and implementing successful fundraising strategies.