FRATER DON A. CAMPBELL ENTERS CHAPTER ETERNAL

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – It is with great sadness that the Offices of the Grand Chapter announces the passing of Past TKE Foundation Board Member Don Campbell. Frater Campbell entered the chapter eternal on December 5, 2023.

Upon reflecting on the impact of Frater Don, TKE Foundation Board Chairman James E. Crockard, III shared, "Frater Don Campbell led an amazing life and career. He was an integral part of the TKE Foundation leadership team and inspired me to increase my involvement with the TKE Foundation and Fraternity more broadly. Since first meeting Frater Don, he has remained a trusted advisor, loyal friend, and impactful mentor. My wife Melanie and I will miss him dearly and cherish the fond memories with him from TKE events over the years."

Frater Don was a 1959 Initiate of the Delta-Epsilon Chapter at Cleveland State University. He rose to a brilliant career as a titan in the Fundraising Industry. In 1976, Don led in the founding of Campbell & Company, which has raised over $3 Billion toward philanthropic purposes. In 2006, a Chicago Tribune Article dubbed Don “The Natural” of Fundraising.

Frater Don served on the TKE Foundation Board of Directors first in 2004. He served as Secretary from 2020-21 and led the Professional Staff of the Foundation in 2016 as Interim Chief Advancement Officer. Frater Don stewarded new fundraising practices and expanded the vision of what the Foundation could become under the leadership of Frater Elmer Smith and current Foundation Chairman Jim Crockard.

Venerable Grand Prytanis Ryan Vescio shared, "Frater Don cared deeply for both his family and the Fraternity. Through his decades of philanthropic support and volunteer service, he had an impact on both our current collegiate Fraters and the next generation of future Tekes."

In 1973, he gave his first donation to the TKE Foundation: $30. He continued to give for nearly 50 years. Why? In his own words, "I have always been grateful for the role the Fraternity played in my life. I guess if I had not had this leadership experience in the Fraternity, of organizing and raising money for causes and not knowing what I was doing, I would have been afraid to do what I do. I think the fundamental principles of this Fraternity, the values of this Fraternity, have entrenched themselves so well in me – and in my life."

The list of accomplishments and impacts are great. Frater Don was a leader at the Lilly School of Philanthropy at Indiana University, which includes the Donald A. Campbell Chair in Fundraising Leadership. He was an advisor to the University of Houston's Conrad Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management. He supported the Chicago Hope Academy, Chicago Maritime Society, and Rock Steady program in Wilmette, IL, to name a few.

Frater Don's mission for his company and life was, "Change Lives, Moment by Moment." He accomplished his aspirational goal. May he rest in Peace.

In remembrance of him and his dedication to philanthropy, we invite you to contribute and uphold his legacy by supporting the ongoing initiatives of the TKE Foundation.