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During his early career as an educator, coach and college administrator, Jim honed the people skills that have since served him so well in his role as an effective frundraising executive and counselor. Benefiting Smith Beers Yunker clients is Jim’s uniquely empathetic perspective, as he was a client himself for more than two decades.
Jim Chroust brings to clients the benefits of his many years of successful management and fundraising….15 years in healthcare, ten years in higher education, and 13 years as a college professor and coach. While knowledgeable and skilled in all aspects of the fundraising continuum, he is particularly well-versed in planned giving.
From 1993 through 2007, Jim was President of the Clinton Memorial Hospital Foundation, which he helped create, and Vice President of Community Development. In this capacity, Jim directed two capital campaigns for the hospital, assisted with a $50+ million building and renovations projects, and built an endowment now comprised of 22 endowed funds. Prior to building the hospital’s charitable arm, he served as Vice President of Advancement for Wilmington College where he was responsible for alumni relations and development. While at the college he worked closely with its Board of Trustees on a capital campaign, securing the largest cash gift in the college’s history and tripling the endowment while also establishing funding for one of the college’s signature events, “The Westheimer Peace Symposium.”
Jim entered the development field at Sterling College as its Vice President of Development in 1982, coming from its faculty and coaching ranks. While at Sterling College he directed a successful capital campaign and facilitated church relations that were critical to the college’s future fundraising. As a former teacher and coach, Jim understands the benefits of teamwork. This makes him an effective organizer of diverse groups and helps him bring individuals together to achieve a shared goal.
Jim is an active community volunteer as a member of his church, a long- standing member of the Rotary Club of Wilmington, and Leadership Clinton. He is an “Ohio Leadership” graduate, class of 1998. He also is former chair of the Wilmington Clinton County Chamber of Commerce and served on the board for 9 years. Other volunteer board involvement includes the YMCA, Cape May Retirement Center, and Clinton County Economic Development Committee.
A former “All American” basketball player for Pittsburg State University, Jim remains active as an avid golfer and nature lover, bringing energy and optimism to all of his endeavors. He and his wife, Carol, live in Wilmington, Ohio. They have two grown sons.
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