REFORM Alliance Appoints Laurence Jahns to Serve as Organization’s Chief Philanthropy Officer
Hailing from Robin Hood Foundation, The Public Theater, and Gay Men’s Health Crisis, Jahns to Drive Meaningful Engagement and Support to REFORM
REFORM Alliance Appoints Laurence Jahns to Serve as Organization’s Chief Philanthropy Officer
Hailing from Robin Hood Foundation, The Public Theater, and Gay Men’s Health Crisis, Jahns to Drive Meaningful Engagement and Support to REFORM
(NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 20, 2021) – Today, REFORM Alliance announced the appointment of veteran non-profit development leader Laurence (Lars) Jahns to serve as the new Chief Philanthropy Officer (CPO), effective immediately. Jahns will serve as a member of the executive leadership team and will drive new revenue growth to support strategic initiatives as REFORM enters its next phase of expanded impact, donor engagement, and outreach.
Drawing from more than two decades of demonstrated success in the field, Jahns will lead all development opportunities for REFORM, including leveraging the existing commitments of REFORM’s Board in creative new ways, cultivating a robust network of individual and institutional donors, and inspiring meaningful engagement for supporters of REFORM. His work will include building and implementing a fundraising growth strategy, launching flagship events, and leading future fundraising campaigns.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to join REFORM,” said Jahns. “The organization’s mission and focus are extremely urgent and time-sensitive, especially given how imbalanced our criminal justice system is and the lifelong negative impact it has on economic mobility for such an alarming number of Americans. I recognized immediately that REFORM has the incredible clarity of purpose as well as a world-class and engaged Board of Directors, who have generously invested their own funds to launch the organization. Now we can build on that momentum and provide other donors with the opportunity to support this nationwide movement to make our criminal justice system more fair and equitable.”
Jahns is a senior non-profit development leader and innovator with more than 25 years of experience in growing and transforming leading social change organizations. Through his work, Jahns has raised over $2.7 billion to date to advance social justice and reduce barriers to access for all.
“Lars has a proven track record in building and growing non-profit organizations and is the perfect fit for our organization,” said REFORM CEO Robert Rooks. “Lars has an incredibly diverse and experienced skill set as well as a lifelong commitment to social justice. He is going to be instrumental in helping us in our fight to bring meaningful and transformative change to the criminal justice system at both the local and national levels.”
Jahns’s experience includes serving as the founding Senior Vice President of Advancement for Robin Hood, New York City’s largest poverty-fighting organization. Under his nearly two-decade fundraising leadership, Robin Hood grew its annual revenue from $7 million to over $175 million annually. In this capacity, he worked with the Board and leadership on fundraising strategy, development staffing and management, Board recruitment and governance, and special initiatives and campaigns. He also oversaw the fundraising for Robin Hood’s signature benefit events at the Javits Center, Madison Square Garden, and Radio City Music Hall.
Most recently, Jahns served as the Chief Advancement Officer for The Public Theater in NYC, where he oversaw fundraising for the New York Shakespeare Festival and launched new successful initiatives such as The Public’s largest capital campaign and a special Resiliency campaign during COVID.
Previously, Jahns served as Director of Special Projects and Major Gifts at Gay Men’s Health Crisis, where he founded the major gifts program for the nation’s oldest and largest AIDS service organization.
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About REFORM Alliance:
REFORM is committed to transforming probation and parole throughout the United States by changing laws, systems, and culture. The organization is working to replace America’s criminal justice system with a restorative approach that is fair, accountable, and invested in rehabilitation. Our goal is for people to reenter society with dignity, create meaningful pathways to work, and equip them with the tools to succeed, all while making families and communities safer and stronger.
The nonprofit organization was founded in the wake of the #FreeMeek movement by award-winning recording artist Meek Mill; Philadelphia 76ers partner and Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin; Arnold Ventures co-founder Laura Arnold; entrepreneur and business mogul Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter; Kraft Group CEO and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft; Galaxy Digital CEO and founder Michael E. Novogratz; Vista Equity Partners founder, chairman, CEO Robert F. Smith; Brooklyn Nets co-owner and philanthropic investor Clara Wu Tsai; and CNN host and activist Van Jones. Veteran criminal justice advocate Robert Rooks leads the organization as CEO.
Contact:
REFORM Alliance
reformalliance@berkcommunications.com