Alexandria, VA – Challenger Center for Space Science Education is pleased to announce that Donald Coates has been named Director of Development. Mr. Coates joined Challenger Center as the Annual Giving Officer in November 2005. Mr. Coates has over 17 years experience in fund-development, generating more than 11.5 million in revenues. During his career, he has worked for several non-profit organizations in the Washington, DC – Baltimore metropolitan area and has provided professional consulting to other associations whose mission includes the Arts, Health, Environmental, and Social Service causes.

Prior to joining Challenger Center, Mr. Coates was the Direct Marketing Director for the Foundation Fighting Blindness where he created and executed an integrated direct marketing plan for donor reacquisition and retention. In addition, he oversaw and implemented public service announcements as well as the marketing of planned giving programs. During his three-year tenure, the foundation saw its direct marketing revenues increase by 32%.

For more than 8 years at Catholic Charities USA, Mr. Coates developed and directed the national service center’s thematic, logistical aspects, and production timelines for CCUSA’s sixteen- appeal direct marketing schedule, meeting his budgetary goals for seven consecutive years. His two prized accomplishments while at Catholic Charities USA was the implementation of the general gifts phase for the organization’s three-year 10 million Major Gift campaign and the gift processing and acknowledgment of a record $36 million in disaster contributions resulting from September 11 relief efforts.

Mr. Coates’ development background will be the forefront to support Challenger Center’s national efforts to engage over 400,000 students each year in positive learning experiences. Challenger Center programs raise student’s expectations of success by fostering a long-term interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) motivating them to pursue careers in these fields. The network of 50 Challenger Learning Centers across the U.S. train more than 25,000 teachers annually to incorporate project-based learning and use the theme of space exploration to engage students in critical thinking, decision-making, communication and teamwork.

Leading Challenger Center’s efforts to strengthen development programs, Mr. Coates will be responsible for the full range of planning and implementation of all fund development. His primary activities will focus on fundraising strategies and campaigns, including direct mail, major gifts, board development, special events, corporate & foundation funding, and federated giving.

To learn more about Challenger Center for Space Science Education’s educational programs, to sign up for web casts and to locate a Challenger Learning Centers in your state, please visit http://www.challenger.org.

Challenger Center for Space Science Education
1250 North Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Shannon Rush
888-683-9740; srush@challenger.org