Frederic Fransen

Frederic Fransen is a national authority on higher education and philanthropy. He has written for, or been quoted in, papers in 33 states, reaching an audience of more than 50 million readers, including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and the Chicago Tribune.

From 1996 until 2006, Fred was variously a program officer, fellow, and senior fellow at Liberty Fund, Inc., a private operating foundation. From 2001 to 2006, he simultaneously served as director of grants for the Pierre F. and Enid Goodrich Foundation.

In 2006 Fred helped The Philanthropy Roundtable initiate a new breakthrough group in higher-education philanthropy. At the same time, he began providing support to donors interested in being more strategic about their higher-education giving.

By 2008, demand for his advisory services led Fred to launch Donor Advising, Research & Educational Services, LLC (DA*R*ES), a national, fee-for-service organization dedicated to providing support and assistance to strategic-minded philanthropists. It has been involved in helping structure and oversee tens of millions of dollars worth of gifts to universities, churches, medical facilities, and nonprofit organizations.

DA*R*ES provides back and front office services for family foundations, engages in strategic planning and project development and management for philanthropists, and acts as an agent in negotiating, structuring, and sometimes restructuring, major gifts and giving programs, particularly in the field of higher-education philanthropy, where donor intent is a major concern.

Fred has a Ph.D. in Social Thought from the University of Chicago.