Chris Needles

Chris Needles serves as the Chief Development Officer at the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), where he leads the organization's direct response and business development teams. His role encompasses the development and execution of strategic fundraising plans aimed at enhancing support for veterans and their families.12

Professional Background

Before joining WWP, Chris Needles held the position of Vice President for Development at the Rutgers University Foundation. There, he focused on principal gifts, overseeing contributions of $5 million or more, and managed various core development teams.1 His extensive experience also includes over 17 years at the University of Florida, where he played a significant role in major fundraising campaigns that collectively raised more than $6.5 billion.1

Education

Chris is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, holding an MBA in Organizational Management from Rutgers Business School and a Master of Science in Sport Management from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst.1

Volunteer Work

In addition to his professional achievements, Chris has been actively involved in community service, notably serving on the board of directors at Oak Hall School in Gainesville for seven years, including four years as board president.1

Current Focus

At WWP, Chris emphasizes leveraging technology to innovate nonprofit fundraising and enhance donor engagement. He advocates for a mission-driven approach to effectively address the evolving challenges within nonprofit sectors.2